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.

Newly certified members

Cody L. Horstman, CGCS
Cactus and Pine GCSA

James Nick, CGCS
Old Dominion GCSA

Scott A. Ellis, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Jonathan Heywood, CGCS
Metropolitan GCSA

Matthew V. Czarnecki, CGCS
Mississippi Valley GCSA

Joseph Trombino, CGCS
Hi-Lo Desert GCSA

Aaron C. Barnett, CGCS
South Florida GCSA

Recertified members

William K. Shirley, CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Dale Kuehner, CGCS
Greater Pittsburgh GCSA

Jeffrey M. Smelser, CGCS
South Texas GCSA

Jeff Goren, CGCS
Cactus and Pine GCSA

Scott A. Main, CGCS
Hawaii GCSA

Eric R. McPherson, CGCS
Nebraska GCSA

Philip N. Lagao, CGCS
Oregon GCSA

Steve Howlett, CGCS
Hi-Lo Desert GCSA

Matthew F. Delly, CGCS
GCSA of New York

Timothy J. Benedict, CGCS
Long Island GCSA

Sam Reznicek, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Newly certified members

Grant M. Suderman, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

John M. Gianopoulos, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Steven J. Hammon, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Robert B. Flemming, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Daniel Palin, CGCS
Tennessee GCSA

Recertified members

Jeffrey W. Hemphill, CGCS
Long Island GCSA

Adam Kloster, CGCS
GCSA of Southern California

Brian Hollingsworth, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Michael J. Studier, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

Joey G. Franco, Jr., CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Ryan K. Wulff, CGCS
Oregon GCSA

Lydell Mack, CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Kyle J. Rausch, CGCS
GCSA of South Dakota

Newly certified members

James C. Crell II, CGCS
Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA

Ian R. Gallagher, CGCS
Northern Ohio GCSA

Scott W. Hans, CGCS
GCSA of New York

Hunter A. Dorsey, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Recertified members

Jessie Creencia, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Stephen E. Cohoon, CGCS
Virginia GCSA

John J. Lammrish, CGCS
North Florida GCSA

Michael J. Fast, CGCS
Ohio GCSA

James J. DeReuil, CGCS
Gulf Coast GCSA

Wilton M. Harbin, Jr., CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

William K. Wall, CGCS
No Chapter Listed

Eric H. Frazier, CGCS
Old Dominion GCSA

B. Paul Culclasure, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Newly certified members

Matthew A. Marsh, CGCS
GCSA of Southern California

Erik D. Wiles, CGCS
Everglades GCSA

Jesse F. Sutton, CGCS
Vermont GCSA

Recertified members

Joel V. Purpur, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Samuel C. MacKenzie, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

James J. Walraven, CGCS
GCSA of South Dakota

Jeffrey R. Clouthier, CGCS
Sierra Nevada GCSA

James B. Sua, CGCS
No Chapter Listed

John J. LeClair, CGCS
Rhode Island GCSA

Jim Myers, CGCS
Western Washington GCSA

Lance J. Johnson, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Shayne S. Skolnik, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Shane Bass, CGCS
Florida GCSA

Peter J. Rappoccio, CGCS
GCSA of New England

Robert D. Steger, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Heath Puckett, CGCS
Alabama GCSA

Daniel B. Tolson, CGCS
Peaks & Prairies GCSA

Adam Bagwell, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Andy J. Klein, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

Shaun M. Satterly, CGCS
No Chapter Listed

Newly certified members

Christopher Kukor, CGCS
Greater Pittsburgh GCSA

Leonard B. Pritchett, CGCS
Virginia GCSA

Drew Nottenkamper, CGCS
South Florida GCSA

Jordan M. Gilmore, CGCS
Southern California GCSA

Recertified members

Dean A. Baker, CGCS
Ontario GSA

Scott E. Dodson, CGCS
GCSA of New York

R. Jeff Brewster, CGCS
Suncoast GCSA

Michael J. Whitehead, CGCS
Rhode Island GCSA

Patrick M. Walker, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

James J. Lezon, CGCS
Southern Nevada GCSA

Fred Gehrisch, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Scott Cybulski, CGCS
Maine GCSA

Gary W. Myers, CGCS
Kentuckiana GCSA

Dustin N. Riley, CGCS
Wisconsin GCSA

Vincent A. Pavonetti, CGCS
Metropolitan GCSA

Matt J. Falvo, CGCS
GCSA of New York

Kevin M. Kienast, CGCS
San Diego GCSA

Jeffrey J. Frentz, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Glenn M. Matthews, CGCS
GCSA of Central California

Ian A. Peluso, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Spencer Roberts, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

Parker L. Ferren, CGCS
Florida GCSA

Newly certified members

James F. Palokas, CGCS
Eastern Shore Association of GCS

Kyle E. Soller, CGCS
GCSA of Arkansas

Renee Geyer, CGCS
Western Washington GCSA

Ryan M. Franklin, CGCS
Indiana GCSA

Recertified members

Perry G. Greene, CGCS
Central Illinois GCSA

Kevin Clunis, CGCS
Minnesota GCSA

Stephen F. Ehrbar, CGCS
Palm Beach GCSA

Jeffrey C. Markow, CGCS
GCSA of Northern California

Matthew J. Dillon, CGCS
Sierra Nevada GCSA

Greg Bailey, CGCS
No Chapter Listed

K. Robert Buege, CGCS
Suncoast GCSA

Thomas J. Bastis, CGCS
GCSA of Northern California

Paul M. Brandenburg, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

David J. Sweet, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

S. Matthew Wharton, CGCS, MG
Kentuckiana GCSA

Erik W. Guinther, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Newly certified members

Justin A. Browning, CGCS
Tennessee GCSA

Recertified members

Alan B. Hospes, CGCS
Alabama GCSA

James B. Johnson, CGCS
Minnesota GCSA

David A. Stowe, CGCS
GCSA of New England

Thad W. Kintigh, CGCS
Iowa GCSA

Russell E. Heller, CGCS
GCSA of New England

Jason A. Zimmerman, CGCS
Everglades GCSA

Brad A. French, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Erin L. Stevens, CGCS, MG
Calusa GCSA

Steven W. Martin, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Steve Southard, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Joshua M. Dunaway, CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Newly certified members

Landon T. White, CGCS
California GCSA

Recertified members

Douglas H. Jones, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Thomas W. Athy, CGCS
Nebraska GCSA

Thomas V. Schall Jr., CGCS
Michigan GCSA

Dennis L. Bowsher, CGCS
Ohio GCSA

Bruce W. Ruppert, CGCS
Peaks & Prairies GCSA

Barry G. Graham, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

John M. Gurke, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

David J. Pawluk, CGCS
Michigan GCSA

David A. Brandenburg Jr., CGCS
Wisconsin GCSA

Scot Spier, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Steven R. Neuliep, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Darren J. Davis, CGCS
Florida GCSA

Anthony M. Girardi, CGCS, MG
Metropolitan GCSA

Richard T. Lawrence, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Blake A. Halderman, CGCS
Metropolitan GCSA

Jeffrey K. Barlow, CGCS
Wisconsin GCSA

Timothy M. Cunningham, CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Newly certified members

James L. Kennedy, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

Recertified members

Dennis D. Lyon, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Brian A. Bossert, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Joseph L. Hubbard, CGCS
Palm Beach GCSA

Thomas O. Kramlich, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Saeed Assadzandi, CGCS, CCM
Carolinas GCSA

Jeffrey E. Holliday, CGCS
Old Dominion GCSA

J. D. Varon, CGCS
Everglades GCSA

Mike Kitchen, CGCS
Peaks & Prairies GCSA

Lee Strutt, CGCS, MG
No Chapter Listed

Trevor V. Hedgepeth, CGCS
Old Dominion GCSA

Douglas Snyder, CGCS
Connecticut Association of GCS

Newly certified members

Aaron Motl, CGCS
South Dakota GCSA

Recertified members

Gregg H. Stanley, CGCS
Long Island GCSA

Scott H. Schaller, CGCS Retired
Wisconsin GCSA

Douglas C. Lowe, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Jeffrey A. Lee, CGCS
Alabama GCSA

Larry E. Johnson, CGCS
Sierra Nevada GCSA

Daniel Marco, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Robert A. Kelly, CGCS
GCSA of New York

Jason S. Flowers, CGCS
Virginia GCSA

Cody Swirczynski, CGCS
Cactus and Pine GCSA

Bryan J. Tipton, CGCS
South Dakota GCSA

Brian J. Roth, CGCS
Utah GCSA

Newly certified members

Jonathan Bennett, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

William Schmit, CGCS
Florida GCSA

Thomas D. Tipton, CGCS
Eastern Shore Association of GCS

Recertified members

Daniel DeVere, CGCS
Cactus and Pine GCSA

Graham W. Kornmeyer, CGCS
Florida GCSA

Hal P. Akins, CGCS
Florida GCSA

James M. Paresi, CGCS
GCSA of New England

Gary M. Ingram, CGCS
GCSA of Northern California

Richard A. Stuntz, CGCS
Heart of America GCSA

Michael J. Brunelle, CGCS
Metropolitan GCSA

Gregory E. Ellis, CGCS
Michiana GCSA

Luke Cella, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Tim P. Scott, CGCS
Midwest Association of GCS

Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, MG
North Texas GCSA

Gordon J. Seliga, CGCS
Northwestern Pennsylvania GCSA

Jerold A. McFellin, CGCS
Ohio GCSA

Doug Heinrichs, CGCS
Sierra Nevada GCSA

Jordan Booth, CGCS, Ph.D.
Virginia GCSA

Newly certified members

Brett Oxley, CGCS
Central Illinois GCSA

Jacob A. Blair, CGCS
Kentuckiana GCSA

John Hansgen, CGCS
Utah GCSA

Recertified members

Mark A. Johnson, CGCS
No Chapter Listed

Richard K. Robinson, CGCS
Carolinas GCSA

Ronald Hibbard, CGCS
Central Florida GCSA

Thomas C. Ocepek, CGCS
Central Pennsylvania GCSA

Chad L. Nixon, CGCS
Florida West Coast GCSA

Gregory D. Brandriet, CGCS
GCSA of South Dakota

John F. McCarthy, CGCS
Georgia GCSA

Patrick J. Franklin, CGCS
Iowa GCSA

Carmen Magro, Ph.D., CGCS
Philadelphia Association of GCS

Lance Lauer, CGCS
Rocky Mountain GCSA

Mark McKinney, CGCS
Sierra Nevada GCSA

Robert D. Cline, CGCS
West Virginia GCSA

Set yourself apart: Learn more about becoming a CGCS

What new CGCSs say about the program


Renee Geyer CGCS"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.


James Symons CGCS"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.


Cory Brown CGCS"Achieving CGCS status has been a goal of mine since I first started in the golf industry. It represents a commitment to excellence, growth, and the high standards needed to provide the best possible experience for our players and club."

– Cory Brown, CGCS, Overlake Golf & Country Club, Medina, Wash.





Ryan Franklin CGCS"Achieving this certification has been a goal of mine since I entered this industry. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance and mentorship from many certified superintendents, which has significantly shaped my professional growth. I am eager to continue this trend by giving back to others in the industry."

– Ryan Franklin, CGCS, Brickyard Crossing Golf Course, Indianapolis, Ind.



Aaron Barnett CGCS"Achieving the CGCS designation was something I’ve aspired to attain from the start of this long-traveled road. The process was earned; but just like the golf course, pushing for improvement and raising the bar is never static. Always fluid.”

– Aaron Barnett, CGCS, Indian Creek Country Club, Indian Creek Village, Fla.




Christopher Kukor CGCS"Becoming Certified to me means always continuing to get better, the challenge of attaining the status and then the added requirements to keep it helps push me to continue learning.”

– Christopher Kukor, CGCS, Diamond Run Golf Club, Sewickley, Pa.




Robert Flemming CGCS"Achieving certification has been a professional goal of mine since I became a Superintendent in 2009. I am proud to be a part of the GCSAA community.”

– Robert Flemming, CGCS, Saddleback Golf Club, Firestone, Colo.





Steven Hammon CGCS"Being a certified golf course superintendent means the world to me as it gives me great pride and a great feeling of accomplishment to my career and professionalism. ”

– Steven Hammon, CGCS, Traverse City Country Club, Traverse City, Mich.




Grant Suderman CGCS"I’m honored to be accepted into the CGCS community, I’m eager to continue learning our craft from those before me and from those I get to help along the way.”

– Grant Suderman, CGCS, Loch Lloyd Country Club, Loch Lloyd, Mo.




Daniel Palin CGCS"When I moved to the United States in 2015, I learned about the possibility of becoming a Certified Golf Course Superintendent. I feel like this is the highest level that can be achieved in my career, and I have been working towards it ever since. It is an honor to become a CGCS.”

– Daniel Palin, CGCS, Cattails at Meadowview, Kingsport, Tenn.




Ben Pritchett CGCS"Becoming a CGCS was always an ambition of mine as all of my mentors through my career were CGCS. I am proud to finally be able to say that I have joined them by becoming certified."

– Ben Pritchett, CGCS, Greenbrier Country Club, Chesapeake, Va.