Funded by Nufarm, the EXCEL Leadership Program offers leadership training for future leaders in golf course management

Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 19, 2023) – Eight assistant superintendent members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) have been chosen for the sixth class of the EXCEL Leadership Program, which is funded by Nufarm and administered by the GCSAA Foundation.

The three-year program offers leadership training for personal, career and community/industry stewardship exclusively for assistant golf course superintendents. The EXCEL Leadership Program focuses on education, cross-training and creating, encouraging and developing community leaders. 

The EXCEL Leadership Program features two, three-day education and training sessions and a trip to the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The 2023 class will attend the Fall Meeting Oct. 3-5, at GCSAA headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix, Ariz. and the Spring Meeting in 2024 with details to be announced later.

“Assistant superintendents represent the future of golf course management, and the EXCEL programs helps them develop the skills they’ll need to be leaders in the industry, ” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Congratulations to everyone in this year’s class for being chosen and making  a commitment to professional development.”

The members of the 2023 EXCEL Leadership Program are:

• Kenneth Bush of Sands Point Golf Club in Port Washington, N.Y.
• Brian Crislip of Wachesaw Plantation Club in Murrells Inlet, S.C.
• Jack Cross of Pinehurst No. 4 at Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, N.C.
• Mackenzie Levesque of Bear Mountain Golf & Tennis Resort in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
• Jacob Martens of the Champions Club in Omaha, Neb.
• Alec Nisbet of the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, Mass.
• Mark Petrie of The Creek Club in Locust Valley, N.Y.
• Russell Wallace of Greystone Golf & Country Club, Legacy Course in Birmingham, Ala.

To learn more, visit gcsaa.org/excel.