Col. John Morley Award

The Pinnacle Award for GCSAA members, the Col. John Morley Award is presented annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent's profession. The contribution must be significant in both substance and duration, and may be, or have been, regional in nature.

Individuals must be nominated by a GCSAA member, an affiliated chapter or a qualified golf association. Nominees for the Col. John Morley Award must currently be, or have been, a Class A or Class B member of GCSAA. The nominee must not have been a recipient of the award.

The GCSAA Board of Directors selects the recipients of the Col. John Morley Award during its summer board meeting. The award is presented during the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.

Nominations are open through June 15.

Submit a Col. John Morley Award nomination »

Letters of support and additional materials not already submitted may be addressed to the GCSAA Board of Directors and sent to Eileen Bangalan, senior director, business strategy,. Contact Eileen Bangalan, senior director, business strategy, by email at ebagalan@gcsaa.org, by phone at 785-832-4423, or by mail to GCSAA, 1421 Research Park Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049-3859

Prior to 2022 award year, the Col. John Morley Award was known as the Distinguished Service Award (DSAs), and was open to both GCSAA member superintendents and wider industry members. Past winners of the DSAs are not eligible for nomination for the Col. John Morley Award.

2024

2023

2022

2021

  • Michael Kenna Ph.D.

2020

  • John H. Foy
  • Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS

2019

  • Edward Horton, CGCS
  • Tamas Tanto

2018

  • Leah Brilman, Ph.D.
  • Richard Latin, Ph.D.

2017

  • Nick Christians, Ph.D.
  • Patricia Vittum, Ph.D.
  • Brent Wadsworth

2016

  • David Fearis, CGCS
  • Paul McGinnis, CGCS
  • Al Turgeon, Ph.D.

2015

  • Melvin B. Lucas, CGCS
  • Cal Roth

2014

  • Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS
  • Bruce Clarke, Ph.D.
  • S. Bruce Martin, Ph.D.

2013

  • Frank Lamphier
  • Ken Mangum, CGCS
  • Dennis Lyon, CGCS
  • Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D.

2012

  • Peter Dernoeden, Ph.D.

2011

  • Frank Dobie

2010

  • Robert A. Dickison, CGCS
  • James C. Husting, CGCS
  • Douglas W. Petersan

2009

  • Mark Esoda, CGCS
  • George Hamilton, Ph.D.
  • Monroe Miller

2008

  • Donald Hearn, CGCS
  • H. James "Jim" Loke, CGCS
  • Oscar Miles, CGCS

2007

  • Stanley E. Metsker, CGCS
  • William A. Meyer, Ph.D.

2006

  • Thomas W. Cook, Ph.D.
  • Stanley J. Zontek

2005

  • William G. Fielder, CGCS
  • Tommy D. Witt, CGCS

2004

  • Gordon LaFontaine
  • Danny H. Quast, CGCS
  • Gordon C. Witteveen

2003

  • Robert D. Emmons
  • Joel D. Jackson, CGCS
  • Dudley H. Smithn

2002

  • Houston B. Couch, Ph.D.
  • William F. Ploetz
  • Bruce R. Williams, CGCS

2001

  • Euel Coats, Ph.D.
  • L.W. "Sonny" Dubose Jr., CGCS

2000

  • Michael R. Bavier, CGCS
  • Gary T. Grigg, CGCS, MG
  • George B. Thompson, CGCS

1999

  • Anthony B. Caranci Jr.
  • Dan Jones, CGCS
  • Palmer Maples Jr., CGCS

1998

  • David Mastroleo

1997

  • Gerald L. Faubel, CGCS
  • Dr. J.M. Vargas Jr.
  • Dr. Coleman Y. Ward

1996

  • Randy Nichols, CGCS
  • Dr. Paul Rieke

1995

  • Dr. Milton Engelke
  • Dr. Ali Harivandi
  • Dr. Michael Hurdzan

1994

  • Allan MacCurrach
  • John J. Spodnik

1993

  • Dr. James B. Beard
  • Dr. Victor Gibeault

1992

  • George M. Kozelnicky
  • C.E. "Tuck" Tate, CGCS

1991

  • Dr. Noel Jackson
  • W. Bruce Matthews
  • Dr. Eliot C. Roberts

1990

  • William Bengeyfield
  • Dr. Thomas Watschke

1989

  • James W. Brandt, CGCS
  • Dr. C. Richard Skogley

1988

  • Dr. Jack Butler
  • William B. Davis
  • Dr. Kenyon Payne
  • Eberhard Steiniger, CGCS

1987

  • David S. Gourlay Sr.
  • Dr. James R. Love

1986

  • Andrew Bertoni
  • John B. Steel, CGCS
  • Howard Kaerwer
  • Chester Mendenhall

1985

  • James L. Blackledge
  • William C. Campbell
  • Clifford A. Wagoner, CGCS

1984

  • Warren A. Bidwell
  • Keith Nisbet

1983

  • James B. Moncrief
  • Dr. Joseph Troll
  • Dr. James R. Watson

1982

  • Milton J. Bauman
  • Sherwood A. Moore, CGCS
  • Alexander M. Radko
  • Ben O. Warren Jr.

1981

  • Geoffrey S. Cornish
  • Dr. Ralph Engel
  • Hans C. Schmiesser

1980

  • Manuel L. Francis
  • Dr. John Madison

1979

  • Dr. C. Reed Funk

1978

  • Dr. Roy L. Goss
  • Dr. John C. Harper II
  • Arthur A. Snyder

1977

  • Harold W. Stodola
  • Paul E. Weiss Sr.
  • Robert M. Williams

1976

  • Dr. Joseph M. Duich
  • Leo J. Feser
  • Thomas C. Mascaro

1975

  • Dr. William H. Daniel
  • Raymond H. Gerber
  • Dr. Fred V. Grau

1973

  • Walter R. Boysen

1964

  • Theodore W. Woehrle

1961

  • Dr. Jesse H. DeFrance
  • Eugene B. Marzolf
  • James Smith

1960

  • Joseph C. Dey Jr.
  • Helen F. Lengfield
  • Oyvind J. Noer

1959

  • Dr. John Monteith
  • Oyvind J. Noer
  • Richard S. Tufts

1958

  • Dr. Glenn Burton
  • Professor L. F. Dickinson
  • Malcom R. McLaren
  • Professor H. Burton Musser
  • Joseph Valentine

1957

  • Thomas Dawson Jr.
  • Herbert Graffis

1954

  • Dr. Fred V. Grau

1952

  • Oyvind J. Noer

1941

  • Frank W. Ermer
  • William H. Johnson

1940

  • Colonel John Morley

1935

  • John MacGregor

1932

  • Colonel John Morley