Typically, the winner of the TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta, is judged against a laundry list of criteria.
In a normal year, that list would include labor management, 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.
Covid-19, and how it affected day-to-day operations, was THE story of golf in 2020.
Golf courses nationwide were faced with record play, labor shortages and the challenges of keeping guests and employees safe while also helping to keep the business running.
Five superintendents have been named finalists for the 2020 Superintendent of the Year Award based on their responses to the Covid-19. They were chosen by our panel of 12 judges from throughout the golf industry from a field of 32 nominees.
Click on each link to learn more about this year's finalists.
Alan Brown, Timuquana Country Club, Jacksonville, Florida
Stephen Rabideau, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York
Chris Reverie, Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Justin Sims, The Alotian Club, Roland, Arkansas
Anthony Williams, TPC Four Seasons, Irving, Texas
The winner usually is announced live at the Syngenta booth during the Golf Industry Show, but will be announced at 1 p.m. EST Feb. 18 on Zoom. The password to enter the event is 505599. The winner will receive a Sonos Cinematic Surround Sound Audio System and Weatherproof Outdoor Sound System courtesy of Syngenta.
Previous winners of the award are:
- Matt DiMase, The Abaco Club on Winding Bay, Cherokee, Great Abaco, Bahamas (2019)
- Carlos Arraya, Bellerive Country Club, St. Louis, MO (2018)
- Jorge Croda, Southern Oaks Golf Club, Burleson, TX, and
- Rick Tegtmeier, Des Moines Golf and Country Club, West Des Moines, IA (2017)
- Dick Gray, PGA Golf Club, Port St. Lucie, FL (2016)
- Matt Gourlay, Colbert Hills, Manhattan, KS (2015)
- Fred Gehrisch, Highlands Falls Country Club, Highlands, NC (2014)
- Chad Mark, Kirtland Country Club, Willoughby, OH (2013)
- Dan Meersman, Philadelphia Cricket Club (2012), Flourtown, PA
- Paul Carter, The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Harrison, TN (2011)
- Thomas Bastis, The California Golf Club of San Francisco, South San Francisco, CA (2010)
- Anthony Williams, Stone Mountain (GA) Golf Club (2009)
- Sam MacKenzie, Olympia Fields (IL) Country Club (2008)
- John Zimmers, Oakmont (PA) Country Club (2007)
- Scott Ramsay, Golf Course at Yale University, New Haven, CT (2006)
- Mark Burchfield, Victoria Club, Riverside, CA (2005)
- Stuart Leventhal, Interlachen Country Club, Winter Park, FL (2004)
- Paul Voykin, Briarwood Country Club, Deerfield, IL (2003)
- Jeff Burgess, Seven Lakes Golf Course, Windsor, Ontario (2002)
- Kip Tyler, Salem Country Club, Peabody, MA (2001)
- Kent McCutcheon, Las Vegas (NV) Paiute Golf Resort (2000)