Golf course superintendents honored for advocacy efforts, advancement of association priority issues and congressional outreach
Lawrence, Kan. – JD Boyce, CGCS, director of agronomy at Tupelo (Miss.) Country Club, and Wayne Lagasse, CGCS, superintendent at Stonington (Conn.) Country Club, have been named Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award winners from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, presented in partnership with The Toro Co., recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated growth in advocacy and advancement of the GCSAA Priority Issues Agenda through congressional outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. Through Toro, the winners receive a trip to take part in the annual National Golf Day event in Washington, D.C.
The GAL Award is part of the Grassroots Ambassador program, which matches superintendents with members of Congress to build strong relationships between them. More than 500 GCSAA members currently serve as ambassadors.
Boyce, a 19-year GCSAA member, began working at a golf course at the age of 16. He attended Clemson University and graduated in 2007 with a degree in turfgrass management. He has been working in golf course maintenance and management ever since.
He became a Grassroots Ambassador in 2019 and is partnered with Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS). Once a Grassroots Ambassador, Boyce quickly lined up a meeting at Rep. Kelly’s office, where he met Darren Herring, the district office manager. Boyce was able to discuss GCSAA, the association’s goals, the industry, what it stands for environmentally and how it benefits the economy. Thanks to his advocacy efforts and time spent engaging with his representative, Boyce has created an open line of communication between his facility, his community and Kelly.
“Advocacy is important because of the negative preconceptions that most people hold about golf. It’s our job to speak up and tell them what we actually do and who we are,” Boyce said. “It’s important to advocate as environmental stewards who preserve wildlife habitat and responsible water managers who care for nutrient runoff and buffer zones.”
Lagasse’s introduction to the industry also started when he was a teenager; he worked for five years at the Fox Hopyard Golf Club in East Haddam, Conn., before attending the University of Connecticut. He earned a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management and soil science in 2013.
After attending National Golf Day in 2023, Lagasse, a 12-year GCSAA member, joined the Grassroots Ambassador Program. He is paired with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and has established a strong rapport with Murphy’s legislative aide, Jake Ecke. Lagasse recently hosted Ecke for a course visit to discuss the Connecticut Best Management Practices for golf courses, unique challenges he faces on the golf course and additional practices that he has incorporated to promote sustainability.
“As an industry, we all need to be advocates and continue to be vocal about educating our legislators on the many ways golf courses are beneficial to our environment,” Lagasse said. “Our legislators have the power to impact our profession, and it’s our job to continue to demonstrate that as turf managers we are stewards of the land.”
About GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Director, Communications
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
Mike Strauss
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 5164
mstrauss@gcsaa.org
