Equipment manager at Glens Falls Country Club in Queensbury, N.Y., takes home 12th annual award, presented in partnership with Foley Company
Lawrence, Kan. – Brandon Hoag, the equipment manager at Glens Falls Country Club in Queensbury, N.Y., has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 Most Valuable Technician Award, presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and Golf Course Management (GCM) magazine in partnership with Foley Company
Now in its 12th year, the award recognizes excellence among golf course equipment managers and the vital role they play in the golf course management industry. Equipment managers are nominated for the award by their golf course superintendent, and a panel of industry judges narrows those nominations down to three finalists, who are then voted on through an online voting process.
“Golf course superintendents know full well the crucial role that an equipment manager plays in the success of a golf course operation,” says Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “The Most Valuable Technician Award is a fitting way to acknowledge those contributions, and Brandon is certainly worthy of this recognition. He is a valued member of the team at Glens Falls Country Club, and he’s a valued member of this association as one of nearly 1,000 equipment managers who are GCSAA members.”
A relative newcomer to the golf course management industry — his first job in golf came when he accepted his current position a little more than four years ago — Hoag has wasted no time making an impact on operations at Glens Falls CC and becoming a fixture in the golf business in upstate New York. According to nominating superintended Chris Frielinghaus, CGCS, Hoag almost single-handedly revitalized an unreliable equipment fleet and a disorganized shop, powered by a curious mind and a drive to make things the best they can be. “He is a jack of many trades,” says Frielinghaus, a 34-year GCSAA member, “and I would say he’s a master of most of them.”
“Chris has such a long track record in golf, so him thinking enough of me to nominate me for the MVT Award means a lot,” says Hoag, a one-year GCSAA member. “But to make the final three and then be selected the winner is an unbelievable honor. I’m very thankful to everyone who voted for me.”
“Brandon is a sponge. He wants to soak up every bit of information that he can and learn as much as he can about the business,” Frielinghaus says. “I’ve worked at a lot of different courses with a lot of different equipment technicians, but he is by far the most precise of any I’ve ever worked with.”
Paul Rauker, president and CEO of Foley Company, the presenting partner of the Most Valuable Technician Award since its inception, says, “Foley Company is proud to sponsor the MVT Award that showcases all the hard work that technicians and equipment managers put in daily to ensure that their courses are in optimal condition. On behalf of all the employees at Foley, I want to congratulate Brandon on being named the 2021 MVT Award winner as it’s a testament to all the great work he’s done at Glens Falls Country Club. I also would like to thank all those that submitted nominations as there were many great candidates.”
Also selected as finalists for 2021 Most Valuable Technician Award were Kevin Hennigar, the equipment manager at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham, Ontario, and Goodwood Golf Club in Stouffville, Ontario, and Bill Raisch, the equipment manager at High Hampton Inn and Country Club in Cashiers, N.C.
Learn more about Hoag in the October issue of GCM on www.gcmonline.com.
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 nearly 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the 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.
