Lyon’s story reflecting on his long, successful career was selected as this year’s top superintendent-written article in GCM

Lawrence, Kan. (Nov. 12, 2024) – Dennis D. Lyon, CGCS Retired, has been selected to receive the 2024 Leo Feser Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Now in its 47^th year, the award is presented annually to the author of the best superintendent-written article published in Golf Course Management, the association’s flagship publication, during the previous year.

Lyon, who served as GCSAA president in 1989 and is a 51-year member of the association, was superintendent/manager of golf for the city of Aurora, Colo., for 37 years before he retired in 2010. He won GCSAA’s Col. John Morley Award in 2013 and the USGA Green Section Award in 2011.

Lyon’s article, “Reflections of a veteran golf course superintendent,” appeared in the May 2024 issue of GCM. In it, he shared some of the lessons he had learned from nearly 40 years in the business.

“I did hear from some people who used to work with me,” Lyon said. “Four or five texted and said, ‘Great article.’ I’m just glad some people found it interesting or useful.”

Lyon’s story imparted his take on leadership, communication and life. He drew on his 37-year career with Aurora Golf — which during his tenure grew from one course to seven — and cautioned, “This experience, although successful, included many mistakes, miscalculations and questionable decisions.”

Lyon will officially receive the award during the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego. He will also have his name engraved on a plaque that is permanently displayed at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan.

“Throughout his more than half a century in the association, Dennis has been a consummate leader,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Even in his retirement, he’s continuing to show his dedication to GCSAA and his fellow superintendents by sharing his wisdom in his article. Congratulations to Dennis on winning the Leo Feser Award. It’s a well-deserved addition to your long list of honors.”

The Leo Feser Award honors the late Leo Feser, a pioneering golf course superintendent and a charter member of GCSAA. Feser is credited with keeping the association’s official publication alive during the Great Depression. For three years, 1933-36, he wrote, edited, assembled and published each issue of The Greenkeepers’ Report — as the association’s magazine was known then — from his home in Wayzata, Minn. The award was first presented in 1956 and has been given annually since 1977. Members of GCSAA’s GCM Editorial Board Task Group select the winner of the award each year.

For a complete list of previous Leo Feser Award winners, go to www.gcsaa.org/about-gcsaa/awards/leo-feser-award.