Excellence in Government Affairs Award

The GCSAA Excellence in Government Affairs Award recognizes and honors an individual, chapter or coalition/alliance that demonstrates outstanding advocacy or compliance efforts in government affairs.

Any GCSAA-affiliated chapter and all Class AA, A, B and C members are eligible to receive the award. A local, state or national coalition/alliance that includes representation from a GCSAA member or chapter is also eligible. Current GCSAA Board of Director members (or their immediate families) are not eligible to receive an award. GCSAA Government Affairs Committee members are eligible but cannot participate in the judging process. Individuals, chapters and coalitions/alliances may not receive the award in consecutive years.

Nominations are now closed. Any GCSAA member may submit nominations. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Those who were nominated last year, but did not receive an award, are eligible again this year.

Nominees will be judged on how their efforts best serve the interests of the golf course superintendent profession and the golf course management industry. Efforts do not have to be “successful” for a nominee to receive the award.

The EGA Award may be given for:

  • the creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to influence laws and regulations affecting golf course management, including but not limited to work with lawmakers, regulators, alliances, coalitions and other entities
  • the creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to encourage member compliance with laws and regulations, including but not limited to environmental laws, occupational safety and chemical applications.  

The EGA Award recipient will be selected by the GCSAA Government Affairs Committee.

The EGA Award recipient receives:

  • Complimentary registration to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, and select air/hotel travel expenses
  • Recognition in GCSAA publications and websites
  • Recognition at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show
  • Personalized trophy and certificate of achievement
  • National, regional and local publicity
  • Name on a permanent plaque at GCSAA headquarters

You will receive a confirmation letter from GCSAA within two weeks of GCSAA receiving your application. The recipient will be notified in December and recognized at the following GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.

For more information contact Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, at 800-472-7878, ext. 3619.

2024

  • Mitch Savage, CGCS

2023

  • Kenneth Benoit Jr., CGCS

2022

  • Cactus and Pine GCSA

2021

  • California Alliance for Golf

2020

  • Peter J. Gorman

2019

  • Robert Nielsen, CGCS

2018

  • Jack MacKenzie, CGCS

2017

  • Rory Van Poucke

2016

  • Hi-Lo Desert GCSA

2015

  • Florida GCSA

2014

  • Anthony L. Williams, CGCS

2013

  • Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents

2012

  • Jay Nalls

2011

  • P.J. McGuire, CGCS

2010

Advocacy

  • Carolinas GCSA
  • Michael Crawford, CGCS

Compliance

  • Richard Gagnon

2009

  • Tim Hiers, CGCS, The Old Collier Golf Club, Naples, Fla.

2008

Advocacy

  • Michael Maffei, CGCS, Morefar Golf Course, Brewster, N.Y.
  • Peter McDonough, GCSAA Class A superintendent, The Keswick (Va.) Club
  • Richard Staughton, CGCS, Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, Woodstock, Ga.

2007

Advocacy

  • Douglas C. Lowe, CGCS, at Greensboro Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.
  • Georgia GCSA

2006

Advocacy

  • Michael A. Stachowski, superintendent at the Golf Course of Concordia in Cranbury, N.J.

Compliance

  • Patrick Blum, superintendent at Colonial Acres Golf Course in Glenmont, N.Y.

2005

Advocacy

  • Craig A. Hoffman, superintendent at The Rock Golf Course on Drummond Island, Mich.
  • Stephen A. Kealy, CGCS at Glendale Country Club in Bellevue, Wash.
  • Kenneth N. Lallier, CGCS at The Quechee Club in Hartford, Vt.

Compliance

  • Sean A. Kjemhus, golf course superintendent at Stewart Creek Golf and Country Club in Canmore, Alberta, Canada.

2004

Advocacy

  • Mark Esoda, CGCS at Atlanta (Ga.) Country Club
  • Jim Husting, CGCS at Woodbridge (Calif.) Golf and Country Club

Compliance

  • Francis J. “Bud” O’Neill III, CGCS, formerly of Wild Quail Golf and Country Club in Wyoming, Del., now with Peak Performance Construction & Agronomic Services of Smyrna, Del.
  • Peter Pierson, recently retired superintendent from Pequabuck Golf Club in Cromwell, Conn.

2002-2003

Advocacy

  • Dean Graves, superintendent at Chevy Chase (Md.) Club

Compliance

  • Joe McCleary, CGCS at Saddle Rock Golf Course in Aurora, Colo.
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