Golf course superintendents recognized for environmental stewardship efforts
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Four golf course superintendents have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA) by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The annual awards are presented by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta. Eight runners-up also received recognition for their environmental efforts.
The awards have recognized superintendents and golf courses around the world for their commitment to environmental stewardship since 1993. Since 2018, the ELGAs are based on environmental best management practices and honor specific areas of focus.
- The Communications and Outreach Award recognizes effective communication of conservation strategies with facility employees, golfers and other members of the community.
- The Healthy Land Stewardship Award recognizes effective strategies for efficient use of pesticides and nutrients, as well as pollution prevention.
- The Innovative Conservation Award recognizes unique and innovative strategies for conservation.
- The Natural Resource Conservation Award recognizes effective strategies for water conservation, energy conservation and sound wildlife management.
“Golf course superintendents are committed to environmental sustainability and producing enjoyable playing conditions,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “The ELGA recipients are great examples of being able to combine these goals. We are proud of their accomplishments.”
The 2026 ELGA winners and runners-up include:
Communications and Outreach Award
Ken Kleinedler, CGCS
Collier’s Reserve Country Club
Naples, Fla.
Kleinedler, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) and 19-year GCSAA member, has worked at Collier’s Reserve Country Club since 2009.
Kleinedler is responsible for helping develop and share Collier’s Reserve comprehensive environmental management program internally and externally. Whether it’s through staff training, daily crew meetings, social media, presentations in the community or a variety of other initiatives, Kleinedler and his staff are steadfastly focused on sharing ways to preserve the environment.
Kleinedler has a history of being active in the community as he recently presented at the local Naples Botanical Garden. He discussed with attendees how communities and residents can implement environmental initiatives within their own neighborhoods and properties.
The club works closely with university professionals and higher education organizations to provide consistent educational opportunities related to environmental stewardship, ecological management, sustainability practices and science-based golf course management.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honor, especially knowing that so many superintendents I’ve admired and looked up to throughout my career have received this recognition,” Kleinedler said. “I’ve always believed that communication is one of the most important responsibilities we have as golf course superintendents. Taking the time to educate our members about the science, challenges, and decision-making behind maintaining a golf course helps build trust, understanding, and appreciation for the work our teams do every day.”
Kleinedler is the son of a former golf club professional and grandson of a former golf course owner. Initially, Kleinedler did not envision himself working on a golf course as a career path until a summer job at a course exposed him to course management.
First Runner-up: Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
Second Runner-up: Jorge Mendoza, Green River Golf Club, Corona, Calif.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award
Carl D. Thompson, CGCS
Columbia Point Golf Course
Richland, Wash.
Thompson, a 34-year GCSAA member and CGCS, has been a superintendent for 31 years, including 21 years at Columbia Point.
Thompson has a long history of being an advocate for the environment. He previously won the Healthy Land Stewardship Award in 2019 and the ELGA Chapter Award in 2016 and 2017. He also has been a runner-up for the Communication and Outreach Award, Innovative Conservation Award and Natural Resource Conservation Award.
Columbia Point puts a strong focus on pollution prevention and waste management. They have eliminated all clippings in their ponds, collect cans from the course for recycling, reuse green-waste for soil modification by composting their own tree debris and utilize a drop box for collecting tree limbs.
Thompson’s waste management practices have shifted toward increased recycling efforts and utilizing beneficial plant material disposal. His team no longer disposes of branch material from trees on the property. In the past, Columbia Point used a chipper to create compost and now utilize a 10-yard drop-box from the city to dispose of branches and other plant materials.
“The competition to win this award is pretty impressive,” Thompson said. “To be chosen as the winner is humbling and something that I’m really proud of. I could not have done it without the help of my staff and the support of the management team at Columbia Point. We take environmental stewardship very seriously. It’s one of our core values. We’re proud of the award and appreciative of the ELGA selection committee for choosing us.”
First Runner-up: Kevin Goss, Sugar Creek Golf Course, Villa Park, Ill.
Second Runner-up: Michael Bednar, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Washington State University, Pullman, Wash.
Innovative Conservation Award
James B. Sua, CGCS
Pei Tou Kuo Hua Golf & Country Club
Taipei, Taiwan
Sua has been a superintendent and member of GCSAA for 34 years. A certified golf course superintendent, Sua has spent the last five years at Pei Tou Kuo Hua Golf & Country Club.
Sua and his team have practiced environmental stewardship since his arrival to the club. A year ago, Sua and his staff received the first runner-up for the Innovative Conservation Award. In 2024, they were recognized as first runner-up for the Natural Resource Conservation Award.
Under Sua’s leadership, Pei Tou Kuo Hua Golf & Country Club has focused more on data driven decision making, autonomous equipment integration, community engagement and education, innovative waste management and sustainable design practices.
Examples of Sua’s innovation have included reducing water consumption by 30% from analyzing usage patterns, a 20% increase in maintenance productivity by automating routine tasks and a 30% reduction in landfill waste over the past year. Recently, Sua hosted a community event that attracted over 180 people to raise awareness about sustainability practices and share with the community how they can take action toward environmental stewardship.
“I am incredibly grateful to be recognized with the Innovative Conservation Award,” Sua said. “This accolade serves as a reminder of the importance of our work in conservation and the positive change we can bring about when we prioritize innovative solutions. I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my dedicated team for their hard work and commitment, as well as to my course owner for their strong support throughout this journey. Together, we are making a difference, and I look forward to continuing to inspire others to do the same.”
First Runner-up: Jonathan Heywood, CGCS, Sleepy Hollow Country Club, Scarborough, N.Y.
Second Runner-up: Jay Neunsinger, Richmond Golf Club, Richmond, Calif.
Natural Resource Conservation Award
Harold Ammons
Flat Creek Country Club
Peachtree City, Ga.
Ammons is a 39-year GCSAA member who has been the superintendent at Flat Creek for 37 years. The 180-acre property emphasizes its water conservation, water quality, energy conservation and wildlife and habitat management.
At Flat Creek, the irrigation design saves water on roughs and natural areas that are maintained without supplemental water applications. Ammons also conducted an audit on water conservation, which led to upgraded satellites to allow communication to central irrigation controls and replaced broken irrigation heads.
Ammons and his team do routine training every six months on water quality. Flat Creek uses several innovative water quality management practices such as vegetative buffers around water features, a designated equipment wash area with collection drains and clean outs and a comprehensive master planned drainage system to handle storm water.
To conserve energy, Ammons has implemented programmable thermostats, timers on green fans, upgraded electric cart chargers, hybrid mowing equipment and light timers.
Wildlife and habitat on the course is also important. In order to preserve wildlife and habitat, Ammons and his crew have identification signs for sensitive areas, newsletters that are regularly sent to membership, up to date wildlife inventories and breeding schedules, native wildflower pollinators with milkweed and sunflowers, clover for bees, lantana for butterflies and native grasses for dragon flies.
“Winning the Natural Resource Conservation Award is truly the highlight of my career,” Ammons said. “I’ve been superintendent at Flat Creek Country Club for 38 years and have spent 41 years in the golf course business, and honestly, I never dreamed I would have a chance to receive an award like this. The award means more to me than I can put into words, and I hope it encourages others in our industry to realize that even small changes can make a big difference in protecting our natural resources.”
First Runner-up: Robert Esposo, Pacific Grove Golf Links, Pacific Grove, Calif.
Second Runner-up: Juan Pablo Gonzalez, Cherry Island Golf Course, Elverta, Calif.
To learn more about the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, visit gcsaa.org/awards.
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 over 21,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or 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.
Media Contacts:
Angela Hartmann, Director, Communications
800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
Brandon Perel, Senior Manager, Media and Public Relations
800-472-7878, ext. 5164 or 847-337-0826 (cell)
bperel@gcsaa.org
