The 22-year GCSAA member has a long history of being an environmental champion.

Lawrence, Kan. (December 10, 2024) Matt Gourlay, CGCS, MG, AGS, superintendent at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho has been named the recipient of the 2025 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).  He will be recognized Feb. 5, 2025, during the Sunrise Celebration, presented in partnership with Syngenta at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego, Calif.

The President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf; a contribution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent’s image as a steward of the land.

“During his career Matt has practiced sustainable golf course management that showcases golf course superintendents’ dedication to protect the environment,” said GCSAA President Jeff L. White, CGCS. “He not only uses best management practices and has a commitment to sustainability, but has spent his career educating others on how to implement environmental BMPs.”

Gourlay has been superintendent at Hillcrest CC since December of 2023, and spent the previous 16 years as superintendent and director of golf course operations at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kan.

Gourlay, a 22-year GCSAA member, uses an approach to environmental stewardship that focuses on reduced inputs on the golf course while still providing high-quality playing surfaces. His Natural Resource Management Plan at Colbert Hills utilized best management practices in relation to pests, environmental planning, water conservation, water quality and waste and energy usage management.

He believes strongly in the use of Minimum Level for Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN), which is an approach to managing soil nutrient levels that can help decrease fertilizer inputs while still maintaining healthy quality turf.

“Smart business decisions have resulted in good decisions for the golf course and environment,” Gourlay said. “From a golfer’s standpoint, I don’t hit the ball as far as I used to, so I like to have the fast, firm conditions. You get those playing conditions from reducing water and fertility, and it creates great golf course conditions.”

A longtime environmental standout, Gourlay has been recognized with multiple GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, including winning the 2018 Innovative Conservation Award, 2019 Natural Resource Conservation Award and 2023 Healthy Land Stewardship Award. He earned runner-up honors for the 2020 and 2022 Communications and Outreach Awards and 2021 Healthy Land Stewardship Award.

Gourlay is a third-generation golf course superintendent whose grandfather, David Gourlay Sr., was a founding member of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) after he emigrated from Scotland in 1948. His father, David Gourlay, CGCS, CCM, CCE, is now retired but was the grow-in superintendent and chief operation officer at Colbert Hills.

Gourlay earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with an emphasis in golf course management and a minor in business from Kansas State University. His career includes internships at Cypress Point Club in California, Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan and the USGA. He also spent three years as an assistant superintendent at Colbert Hills under then-superintendent Kenny Rogers before taking over in 2007.

His dedication to continued learning has resulted in top-level certifications from three golf course management associations around the world, Certified Golf Course Superintendent (CGCS) from GCSAA in 2011, Master Greenkeeper (MG) from the British and International Golf Greenkeeping Association (BIGGA) in 2019, and Accredited Golf Course Superintendent (AGS) from the CGSA in 2022.

Despite his numerous environmental awards and certification achievements, Gourlay said he was surprised to be selected for one of GCSAA’s leadership awards, which recognize highly engaged members who advance the profession.

“I never sought out winning the President’s Award and I was shocked when Jeff White called me with the news,” Gourlay said. “I have always tried to do what is best for the environment, the golf course and golfers. It is an honor to receive this award.”

To learn more about the President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship, visit gcsaa.org/awards.