Only a few weeks remain to nominate a colleague for TurfNet's Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by
Syngenta
.
The nomination period for our 10th annual effort to recognize the country's best golf course superintendents has been extended until Dec. 1.
Each year, golf course superintendents confront challenges in ways that leave members, golfers, general managers, owners, operators, assistants and even employees amazed - and often grateful.
Nominations from last year included such praise as: “Thanks to Brad . . . we are back on the map,” . . . “Our golf course looks better than it has ever looked and plays as good as it looks,” . . . “Six years ago, our course resembled a world class collection of weeds,debris and brush populated by vermin, snakes and even a few homeless individuals hiding in the clutter. . . . Today we are the proud recipients of a golf course that attracts players from the entire Charlotte, NC metropolitan area.”
There is no single definition of “superintendent of the year?” The challenges faced by superintendents change year to year, and every golf facility has its own set of circumstances that require unique responses.
Golf courses are affected by weather, economics, growing conditions, governmental influences, labor issues, architectural challenges and equipment concerns. How the grounds department meets those challenges helps define the superintendent of the year.
Past superintendent of the year winners 2008 - Sam MacKenzie, Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club,
2007 - John Zimmers, Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club,
2006 - Scott Ramsay, Golf Course at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.,
2005 - Mark Burchfield, Victoria Club, Riverside, Calif.,
2004 - Stuart Leventhal, Interlachen Country Club, Winter Park, Fla.,
2003 - Paul Voykin, Briarwood Country Club, Deerfield, Ill.,
2002 - Jeff Burgess, Seven Lakes Golf Course, Windsor, Ontario,
2001 - Kip Tyler, Salem Country Club, Peabody, Mass.,
2000 - Kent McCutcheon, Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort.
We will attempt to clarify the definition again this year, but to do that we need your help.
Whether it is going the extra mile for an important club event or professional tournament, dealing with the worst Mother Nature has to offer, excelling at a renovation under trying circumstances, negotiating with public officials for water rights or bringing a once-thriving and proud facility back from the dead, everyone knows a superintendent who has gone above and beyond in carrying out his or her normal duties. Please take the time to recognize that colleague for their efforts and nominate him or her for this year's award.
Nominations can be made online at
www.turfnet.com
or e-mailed to jreitman@turfnet.com. Be sure to include your name and contact information along with that of the nominee. You can also fax entries to John Reitman at 407-563-7077, or mail a printable nomination form to Superintendent of the Year, Turnstile Publishing Co., 1500 Park Center Drive, Orlando, FL 32835. Remember, the deadline for nominations is Nov. 1.
Finalists and the winner will be judged by a panel that includes Team TurfNet, reigning Superintendent of the Year Sam MacKenzie, CGCS, as well as a group of esteemed industry professionals.
Candidates will be judged on labor-management skills, maximizing budget limitations, educating and advancing the careers of colleagues and assistants, negotiating with government agencies, preparing for tournaments under unusual circumstances, service to golf clientele, upgrading or renovating the course and dealing with extreme or emergency conditions.
Profiles of the finalists will appear on TurfNet, with the winner to be named at the
Syngenta
booth during the 2010 Golf Industry Show in San Diego. The winner will receive a trip for two to Ireland, courtesy of Syngenta Professional Products.
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