EXCEL Leadership Program

The EXCEL Leadership Program offers leadership training for personal, career, and community/industry stewardship for assistant superintendents; the future leaders in the golf course management industry.

Applications are now closed.

EXCEL

E — Educating golf industry leaders of tomorrow.
X — Cross-training opportunities so they can share what they have learned.
C — Creating community leaders who serve more than take.
E — Encouraging future leaders through advisory boards and councils.
L — Developing leaders who will mentor others.

EXCEL members receive

The EXCEL Leadership Program features two, two-day education and training sessions and a trip to the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show for assistant golf course superintendents. The education and travel for 2024-2025 includes:

• Three EXCEL events for three years, including the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, an event each fall and an event each spring while you are in the program. 
• Expert-led sessions, unique learning tours and networking opportunities with the golf course industry community.
• Opportunities to give back to local communities hosting the events.

Eligibility

To be considered, a GCSAA Class C member must complete the application and respond to two pre-selected essay questions. Up to eight assistant superintendents will be selected for this opportunity to develop their leadership skills over a three-year period.

Applicants must be:

• Currently employed as an assistant golf course superintendent within the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) or Canada.
• A Class C member of GCSAA
• Able to participate for three full years
• Not employed by current members of the GCSAA Board of Directors or GCSAA Foundation Board of Trustees, children of GCSAA or Nufarm staff, or current employees of those organizations.

Graduating Class of 2027

• Will Bendy Jr. of Olde Florida Golf Club in Fort Myers, Fla.
• Caleb Handley of Black Course-Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, N.Y.
• Andrew Hessa of Pinehurst No. 4 at Bishops Bay Country Club in Middleton, Wis.
• Austin Kaval of The Golf Club at Lansdowne in Lansdowne, Va.
• Gavin Kopczynskie of Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Del.
• Derick Mara of Mayacama Golf Club in Petaluma, Calif.
• Will Reece of Philadelphia Cricket Club in Philadelphia, Pa.
• Tyler Robb of The Grove XXIII in Hobe Sound, Fla.

Graduating Class of 2026

• Ken Bush, Sands Point Golf Club, Port Washington, N.C.
• Brian Crislip, Wachesaw Plantation Club, Pawleys Island, S.C.
• Jack Cross, Pinehurst No. 4 at Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst, N.C.
• Mackenzie Levesque, Bear Mountain Golf and Tennis Resort, Langford, British Columbia, Canada
• Jacob Martens, Champions Run, Omaha, Neb.
• Alec Nisbet, Vineyard Golf Club, Edgartown, Mass.
• Mark Petrie, Hop Meadow Country Club, Simsbury, Conn.
• Russell Wallace, Greystone Golf and Country Club, Legacy Course, Birmingham, Ala.

Graduating Class of 2025

• Matthew Becker, Spring Hill Golf Club, Wayzata, Minn.
• Chad Blank, Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minn.
• Morgan Creighton, Woodside Golf Course, Airdrie, Alberta, Canada
• Cade Cutchen, Lake Merced Golf Club, Daly City, Calif.
• William Dennis IV, Hendersonville Country Club, Hendersonville, N.C.
• Mark Jones Jr., Baltimore Country Club, Baltimore, Md.
• Nick Klinkhammer, Golden Valley Country Club, Golden Valley, Minn.
• Eric Langford, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Ore.