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 From the News Desk...Stone Mountain superintendent honored . . . againby John ReitmanIf noted naturalist John James Audubon (1785-1851) was alive today the recognition heaped upon Anthony Williams, CGCS, for his work in environmental stewardship might be enough to make the namesake of golf’s most notable green initiative blush. Superintendent at 36-hole Stone Mountain Golf Club near Atlanta, Williams will receive the 2010 GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship for his ongoing work in environmental stewardship at next year’s GCSAA Education Conference held in conjunctions with the Golf Industry Show in San Diego. The honor is one of many environmental awards bestowed upon Williams. His career has been marked not only with bettering the facilities at which he works, but those under the charge of his colleagues as well. He also hopes that his efforts at his own course and elsewhere transcend time. “I chose to build our agronomic programs from an environmental cornerstone in part to respect the traditions of the early golf courses that were treasured green spaces and also because I believe this environomic business model is the most synergistic way to manage a golf course in these difficult times,” Williams said. “That said, I am 100 percent committed to contributing to a legacy of stewardship that will span many generations and inspire others to see the game of golf in a different way.” Williams was the public and overall winner of the 2006 GCSAA-Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf award. He also is the first two-time winner of Marriott Golf’s Grounds Professional of the Year award, a feat he accomplished in consecutive years – at two separate properties. Williams also has led two Marriott golf facilities – Stone Mountain and Pine Isle Resort at Lake Lanier Islands, Ga. – to Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary status, including guiding the former to such distinction within 4 ½ months of being hired in 2006.  Stone Mountain is located inside a state park that is a memorial to the Confederate States of America. The two golf courses are part of the Evergreen Marriott Resort. He also developed a maintenance plan that resulted in the resort grounds becoming the first hotel to gain status as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.
He was named winner of the 2008 J. Willard Marriott Award of Excellence and is a four-time winner of Marriott Golf’s Crystal Achievement Award for Public Relations Excellence. He also received the 2008 J. Lamar Branch Alumni Award from his college alma mater, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. Vice president of the Georgia GCSA chapter, Williams will resume the role of president in October. He also is president of the Georgia Turfgrass Association. The GCAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize “an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent's image as a steward of the land.” Winners are chosen by the GCSAA board of directors. GCSAA president Mark Kuhns, CGCS, will present the award Feb. 9 during Celebrate GCSAA! – formerly known as the Opening Session and Welcoming Reception. “This is a well-deserved honor for Anthony, who is an innovative and tireless environmental steward,” Kuhns said in a GCSAA news release. “He not only goes to great lengths to identify and implement new ways to improve his facility’s environmental stewardship efforts, but he continues to share his findings and best management practices with his peers, as well as mentoring so many others.” Williams, whose grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian, grew up in the agricultural community of Oxford, Ga. He credits his roots and upbringing with much of his perspective on environmental issues. In face-to-face and e-mail communications, he often refers to being a golf course superintendent as “living the dream.” “My dad used to say, ‘If you take care of the land, the land will take care of you,’ ” Williams said. “In the golf industry, this is even more true today than ever.” Williams’ environmental stewardship efforts are not limited to the facilities at which he works. He also shares what he knows and learns with other superintendents. He worked with researchers from the University of Georgia to develop a water quality testing program. He also worked with fellow Atlanta-area superintendents and the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to develop a water conservation initiative in the face of one of the state’s most severe droughts on record. The plan eventually was adapted and adopted by about 97 percent of the member courses of the Georgia GCSA chapter. Marriott named him as a mentor superintendent when the company mandated that all of its courses worldwide attain status as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Never content with the status quo, Williams said he is looking forward to receiving the award and moving on to his next environmental challenge. He also has advice for other superintendents with aspirations of being good environmental stewards. “Be involved. Stay on task even during difficult times and do not let anyone tell you things like ‘It cannot be done. It is impossible. You are not worthy. We do not have the money or resources,’ ” Williams said. “Follow your dreams and persevere. Be creative while planning your steps, but most of all, give back to the things that matter to you.” 
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 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
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