GCSAA

LAST CHANCE: Apply for the Envu Superintendent Grant Program by today's deadline for your chance to further your professional development and to win a trip to the 2025 . https://bit.ly/envu-superintendent-grant

Ozzie Smith, National Baseball Hall of Famer, has been named the recipient of the 43rd Old Tom Morris Award, presented by GCSAA. Smith will be honored Feb. 6 at Send-Off Celebration, presented in partnership with John Deere, at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Read more from Golf Course Management: https://gcmonline.com/headlines/gcsaa-news/news/ozzie-smith-named-gcsaa-2025-old-tom-morris-award-winner

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of GCSAA member Michael Upchurch, who passed away today en route to the Chapter Delegates Meeting in Lawrence. He was a 26-year GCSAA member & delegate of the North Texas GCSA. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Kelli Norwood has been promoted to the position of director, learning and career development, effective Oct. 19. Norwood joined the GCSAA staff in March 2012 and had been the senior manager, curriculum, since January 2015. Learn more: https://www.gcsaa.org/media/news-release/2024/10/22/gcsaa-promotes-kelli-norwood-to-director-of-learning-and-career-development

GCSAA Scholars Competition winners announced:
Twenty-one students were chosen from the GCSAA Scholars Competition to receive merit-based awards for course/turf management or related fields. Andrew Dorland, a student at
Michigan State University, is the Mendenhall Award winner, the top award in the competition.

Learn more about the recipients: https://gcsaa.org/media/news-release/2024/10/15/andrew-dorland-wins-mendenhall-award-in-2024-gcsaa-scholars-competition

The Coachella Valley Golf and Water Task Force has earned the 2025 Excellence in Government Affairs Award from GCSAA for its advocacy on a wide array of water issues facing the industry throughout California’s Coachella Valley. The task force will be recognized Feb. 6 during the Government Affairs Session at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Learn more: https://www.gcsaa.org/media/news-release/2024/10/15/coachella-valley-golf-and-water-task-force-to-receive-excellence-in-government-affairs-award-from-gcsaa

REGISTRATION IS OPEN: The 2025 GCSAA Golf Championships, presented by Toro, tee off Feb. 1, kickstarting the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The 2025 event will mark the 31st consecutive year Toro has partnered with the GCSAA to present this tournament. Register now: https://gcsaaconference.com/gcsaa-golf-championships

LAST CHANCE!

FALL IS HERE! Celebrate cozy season with 15% off your favorite jackets (and everything else) at the GCSAA Store now through October 15. Use code FALL2024: gcsaastore.com

Are you a GCSAA member impacted by or ? The Fund may be able to help with personal hardships you are facing. https://gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/gcsaa-disaster-relief-fund

Are you a GCSAA member who has been impacted by or ? The Fund may be able to help with personal hardships you are facing. And others can make a tax-deductible donation to the fund. https://www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/gcsaa-disaster-relief-fund

GCSAA regrets to share news of the passing of GCSAA Past President Charles Baskin, CGCS Retired. Baskin passed away Sept. 5, followed five days later by his wife, Molly. Baskin served as GCSAA President in 1974 and was a 64-year GCSAA member. https://www.gcmonline.com/headlines/gcsaa-news/news/remembering-gcsaa-past-president-charles-baskin-cgcs-retired

Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D., and Larry Stowell, Ph.D., to receive GCSAA's 2025 Outstanding Contribution Award for their work greatly impacting the advancement of the turfgrass industry through providing innovative solutions for golf course care, contributing to
Golf Course Management and other scientific publications, teaching seminars, mentoring countless turfgrass management professionals over the years and more. The PACE Turf founders will be recognized at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego. Read more:
https://gcmonline.com/headlines/gcsaa-news/news/wendy-gelernter-phd-and-larry-stowell-phd-to-receive-gcsaa-2025-outstanding-contribution-award

Registration for the is now open! Register today for the lowest prices of the year: gcsaaconference.com/registration ☀️

FALL IS HERE! Celebrate cozy season with 15% off your favorite jackets (and everything else) at the GCSAA Store now through October 15. Use code FALL2024: gcsaastore.com

Registration for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is now open! Register today for the lowest prices of the year: https://gcsaaconference.com/registration ☀️

FALL IS (PRACTICALLY) HERE! Celebrate cozy season with 15% off your favorite jackets (and everything else) at the GCSAA Store now through October 15. Use code FALL2024: https://gcsaastore.com

No matter where you are on your professional path, you are essential to golf’s success. GCSAA is here to support you.

See all of your membership benefits available: https://gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/membership/membership-benefits

After reading fellow members’ stories, Tizayi Tundu Sithole was inspired to share his. Join in! Share your GCSAA story using .

Four superintendents have been named winners of the 2024 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards. The awards are presented annually by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta. Eight runners-up also received recognition for their environmental stewardship efforts. https://gcsaa.org/media/news-release/2024/09/17/gcsaa-announces-2024-environmental-leaders-in-golf-award-recipients

Still enjoying posts expressing thanks from Day!

In honor of Day …

Meet David Walter, course superintendent at Silverado Resort.

When David got his driver’s license at age 16, he began his first job in the field as a greenskeeper, where he spent most of the summer raking bunkers and spreading mulch around the clubhouse. Since that summer in 2003, he’s never looked back.

From an internship at the 2008 PGA Championship to various superintendent roles, David eventually made his way to Napa two and a half years ago to take the role as Director of Agronomy at Silverado Resort. While the day-to-day consists of typical golf course maintenance, David and his team are preparing for the Procore Championship all year round, with things ramping up in the three months leading up to the event.

During tournament week, David and his team of 40 arrive at the course at 4 a.m. They spend the early hours getting the course prepared for play to begin around 7:30 or 8 a.m. Their work continues throughout the day until about 8 or 9 in the evening, making for a 16 to 17-hour work day.

Next week, the preparation begins for next year’s tournament.

Prioritize your health with GCSAA Member Association Health Plan: Your health is one of your most valuable assets. GCSAA members can prioritize their well-being and stay on top of wellness and preventative care with a Member Association Health Plan. Learn more about maintaining your good health: https://gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/membership/membership-benefits/health-insurance