It hasn't taken Tom Tokarski long to make an impact at Butler's Golf Course.
Even though he has been at the Pittsburgh-area course for less than two years, Tokarski was named the Billy Casper Golf 2012 superintendent of the year at the company's annual conference held recently in Tampa, Fla.
Billy Casper Golf is the country's largest multi-course owner operator, with a portfolio of more than 140 golf course, country club and resort properties. Casper took over management of Butler's Golf Course in Elizabeth Township in April 2011, and at that time brought Tokarski over to manage the course built in 1928 by John Butler.
Billy Casper Golf recognized six other individuals from its agronomic team: Assistant Superintendent of the Year, Jake Valentine, Lincoln Hills Golf Club, Lincoln, Calif.; Most Improved Course, RedGate Golf Course, Rockville, Md., Agronomic Rookie of the Year, Jim Prucnal, Lake Monticello Golf Course, Palmyra, Va.; Environmental Stewardship Award, Mark Murphy, General's Ridge Golf Course, Manassas Park, Va.; Bang for the Buck Award, Bryan Kreger, Hilltop Golf Course, Plymouth Township, Mich.; Team Player of the Year, Jon Lanier, Desert Rose Golf Course, Las Vegas.
Awards were given in several other categories, including the company's highest honor Facility of the Year. That award, presented by former golfing great Billy Casper, went to Royce Brook Golf Club in Hillsborough, N.J.
Royce Brook GM Dan Guinle also was named the company's top general manager.
Sanctuary Lake and Sylvan Glen, both of Troy, Mich., were named Top Performer of the Year, and St. Johns Golf and Country Club in St. Augustine, Fla., won Casper's ACE the Guest Experience Award, which signifies superior customer service. Awards also were presented to those in business office and golf shop operations.