The clock is winding down on Rhett Evans’ tenure as the GCSAA’s chief executive officer.
Evans will conclude his tenure as the association’s CEO, a position he has held since January 2010, effective Sept. 29, 2027.
“GCSAA has meant a tremendous amount to me and my family and will always hold a special place in my life and career,” Evans said in a news release.
He’s never wavered from climbing big summits, literally or figuratively. He lost two members of his team on that climb. I think that changed him. I believe the Rhett Evans who went on that trip is different than the one who came back. … A lot of people die up there.
During his tenure, Evans helped guide GCSAA through a period of growth and expanded influence across the golf industry, including strengthened partnerships, enhanced advocacy efforts, increased member engagement, educational and career development initiatives, and continued leadership in environmental stewardship.
During Evans’ tenure, GCSAA increased membership by nearly 13 percent (from 19,080 to 21,564) while serving an industry with 12 percent fewer facilities, according to the association. During the same period, golf participation grew to more than 29 million golfers and annual rounds played reached record levels.
“Rhett has led this association as CEO with vision, passion and integrity for many years,” said GCSAA President Paul L. Carter, CGCS at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay in Tennessee. “As the longest-tenured CEO in GCSAA’s 100-year history, his impact on the association, our members and the profession has been significant. He will certainly be missed in this role. We also have a number of important initiatives underway, including the completion of GCSAA’s Centennial year and several long-term strategic priorities that Rhett will continue to lead during this transition period. This timeline gives the organization the ability to approach the future thoughtfully while continuing to build on the momentum GCSAA has established.”
The transition timeline gives the association enough time for an exhaustive search for Evans’ replacement.
Until then, Evans will continue serving as CEO throughout the transition period and will provide organizational leadership, strategic oversight and direction for the association’s ongoing initiatives, member programs and industry partnerships.
Working alongside GCSAA members, volunteer leaders and staff, the association has continued to elevate its visibility, influence and reputation throughout the golf industry and the communities it serves.
“It was inspirational to work with Rhett,” said Kevin Breen, CGCS at La Rincoñada Country Club in Los Gatos, California and the president of GCSAA in 2022-23. “He brought GCSAA and our entire industry to new heights. He has a passion for who the superintendent is and championed our profession every day. Proud to call him a friend and wish him all the best in his next chapter.”
In what most certainly must be a life-changing event. Evans famously summitted Mount Everest in 2024. At the top, he left a GCSAA flag emblazoned with the word “onward”, a tagline that became synonymous with how he approached association business and closed many conversations.
It is worth noting that two people in Evans’ climbing party died on the excursion.
More than 300 people have died trying to climb Everest. Most of those deaths have occurred above the 8,000-meter mark in an area known as The Death Zone. More than 200 of those bodies remain visible to climbers today in what has become known as the Rainbow Valley because of the climbers’ brightly colored clothing.
“He’s never wavered from climbing big summits, literally or figuratively,” said Anthony Williams, CGCS, of Invited Clubs. “He lost two members of his team on that climb. I think that changed him. I believe the Rhett Evans who went on that trip is different than the one who came back.
“A lot of people die up there.”
During the transition period, Evans will maintain his regular travel schedule, industry engagement, leadership responsibilities and ongoing work on behalf of the association while also working closely with the GCSAA Board of Directors to help ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition.
“While this transition represents the closing of one chapter, I am excited about the next chapter ahead and future opportunities to lead, encourage, and help make a positive difference in the lives of others,” Evans said in the news release. “It has been an incredible run, and I look forward to continuing to serve GCSAA over the next year and finishing strong.”
