December 21, 2007–Dale Hahn, superintendent of TPC Summerlin (pictured), a private Las Vegas golf course that hosts the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on the PGA Tour, has earned recognition from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Golf Digest for his efforts in the area of environmental stewardship. Hahn was a merit winner and will be recognized in an upcoming issue of Golf Digest and in the industry publication.
Judges selected winners in three national categories (public, private and resort courses), and two international co-winners, with an overall winner being selected from those five. Additional recognition was given to the top entry from each GCSAA affiliated chapter, and merit honors were awarded to those who did not earn national or chapter honors, but deserved special recognition in the opinion of the judges.
Golf course superintendents and their courses that have been named national, chapter or merit winners will be formally recognized at the GCSAA Education Conference (Jan. 28-Feb. 2) and Golf Industry Show (Jan. 31-Feb. 2) in Orlando. In addition, program sponsors will make donations to The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA, in the names of all national and chapter winners.
"This year's winners are to be commended for their commitment to environmental stewardship," said GCSAA President Ricky D. Heine, CGCS. "They, along with their facilities, have demonstrated that golf courses can be compatible with the environment – and in many cases enhance it."
"Golf Digest has been an active participant in generating discussion regarding golf and its relationship with the environment, dating back 11 years ago to the Golf and the Environment Initiative," said Roger Schiffman, managing editor of Golf Digest. "We are pleased to share the good story that golf is indeed achieving positive results.”
An independent panel of judges representing national environmental groups, turfgrass experts, university research and members of the golf community conducted the award selection.
The Environmental Leaders in Golf Award recognizes golf course superintendents and their courses for overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach. In addition, these categories are judged on sustainability, criticality, originality and technology implementation/use.
In addition to the national winners, nine chapter winners as well as nine merit winners were selected from GCSAA’s 101 affiliated chapters.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.