Certification News
Congratulations to new and renewing CGCSs
Be the first to congratulate fellow members in your chapter. Find out who recently became certified or renewed their certified status.
What new CGCSs say about the program
"Earning the Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) designation is an important milestone in my journey to contribute meaningfully to the golf course management profession. This certification reflects my ongoing efforts to deepen my knowledge in agronomy, environmental stewardship, and leadership, while striving to uphold high standards of quality and sustainability. My hope is that achieving CGCS status will not only benefit the Club and team I represent but also encourage professional growth among my peers as we work together to create exceptional experiences for our members and guests."
– Asa J. High, CGCS, Frederica Golf Club, Saint Simons Island, Ga.
"Becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent is something that I have aspired to for a number of years. The CGCS designation represents the highest standard for the industry. The achievement is something I feel was necessary to represent the organization I work for and the team that I have the privilege to work with."
– David Donner, CGCS, Cleveland Metro Parks System, Bedford, Ohio
I think certification is a good program that helped me improve as a superintendent by testing my knowledge of the job and my performance as a manager. I enjoyed the challenge, and the process helped me focus on my professional growth and gave me more skills and knowledge to offer my club.”
– Ian Gallagher, CGCS, The Mayfield Sandridge Club, South Euclid, Ohio
"Becoming a CGCS is important to me both professionally and personally. Certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence and willingness to embrace a significant challenge while providing trust and credibility within the industry.”
– Nick Brandt, CGCS, The Brick Companies, Queenstown, Md.
"Achieving certification as a golf course superintendent has been a long-standing goal of mine. It not only recognizes me as a high-level professional by the leaders of our industry, but it also allows me to join a distinguished community of certified superintendents. It’s an honor to be counted among those who share a commitment to excellence and to contribute to a field that I am so passionate about.”
– Wes Pitts, CGCS, TPC Dorado Beach, Dorado, PR
"The CGCS designation signifies an individual’s dedication to excellence and continuous improvement as a Golf Course Superintendent. I feel fortunate to have found my passion in this industry and am filled with gratitude for my work. Becoming a certified golf course superintendent is my ultimate professional development achievement. The responsibility of this designation lies in continuing to raise the bar both personally and professionally.”
– Jesse Sutton, CGCS, Fox Run Golf Club, Ludlow, Vt.
"The CGCS distinction has been on my goals list for the last few years specifically and on my career path for more than a decade. To finally accomplish this goal makes me extremely proud. Some of the most important mentors that I have had in my career have held this certification and have always pushed me to continue my professional growth. However, the CGCS is so much more than just a personal accomplishment. It has certainly been a personal goal, but it has taken my Club and most importantly, my team for me to be able to achieve this certification. I am very thankful for their support and hope that I can inspire them to achieve their own goals as we move forward!”
– Aaron Fankhauser, CGCS, The Club at Rolling Hills, Golden, Colo.
"Becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent is the icing on the cake for me. From the time I got in the golf business to now I have given it 120% and have achieved things that I never thought were possible. My hope is that others will see that even if you have a non-traditional career path you can still reach CGCS status. Be passionate about what you do, work hard, and treat people the way you want to be treated, and anything is possible.”
– David Beanblossom, CGCS, CDN Golf Management, Laconia, Ind.
"I'm very proud to have achieved the CGCS designation. The process was challenging, but fair, and has made me a better Golf Course Superintendent. Thank you to my golf club membership, staff, peers, family, MiGCSA, and GCSAA for the support in becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent."
– Jordan Caplan, CGCS, Belvedere Golf Club, Charlevoix, Mich.
"Achieving my CGCS designation has been the pinnacle of my professional career. It affirms the commitment to excellence we all strive for in our roles and serves as tangible proof of being among the best in the field. Completing the CGCS process demonstrates to our stakeholders at Canterwood Golf & Country Club that our department embodies professionalism and is deeply invested in their success and satisfaction every single day. I am eager to continue growing in my career and to share knowledge and experiences with others as we collectively elevate industry standards."
– Renee Geyer, CGCS, Canterwood Golf & Country Club, Gig Harbor, Wash.
"Achieving certification as a CGCS has been a longtime goal of mine and I’m thrilled to have finally done it. My first exposure to this certification was Steve Cohoon, CGCS, who I worked for in Northern Virginia twenty years ago. I’ve always admired that he had the credential and the weight it carried in our industry. It took a while, but I finally did it and couldn’t be prouder to join an exclusive group of accomplished agronomic leaders. Many thanks to the GCSAA for their work on this program and assisting Superintendents with their continued education and growth."
– James Symons, CGCS, Anthem Country Club, Henderson, Nev.