Billy Casper Golf (BCG) – owner and operator of more than 110 golf courses in 26 states – announced its 2009 award winners during the company’s annual meeting at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, FL.

Company namesake and golf legend Billy Casper, a member of the PGA and World Golf halls of fame, presented the top awards in front of more than 250 general managers, directors of golf, course superintendents, sales managers and BCG corporate staff.

Jered Wieland, BCG vice president of operations in the Midwest, and Matt Fauerbach, director of agronomy in the Northeast, were recognized for their outstanding service to the company with the “Chairman’s Award” and “Chairman’s Superintendent Award,” respectively.

Rock Manor Golf Course (Wilmington, DE) received the top BCG honor, “Facility of the Year,” for the best all-around performance in guest service, operations, course conditions and financial performance.

Ryan Phelps of Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram, NY) was named “General Manager of the Year,” and Jed Vinson of The National Golf Club of Louisiana (Westlake, LA) won “Superintendent of the Year.”

Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf (OH) won “Top Performer of the Year,” and two courses – Chick Evans Golf Course (Morton Grove, IL) and Victoria Hills Golf Club (DeLand, FL) – were recognized for their superior guest service, winning the coveted “ACE the Guest Experience Award.”

“We’re incredibly proud of the award winners and the ‘best-in-kind’ team we put in place nationwide,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG.  “As our company grows and even more talent blossoms, the awards program becomes more competitive and provides a standard of excellence for managers and superintendents across the portfolio.”

The complete list of award winners:

Company-Wide Awards

• General Manager of the Year – Ryan Phelps, Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram, NY)
• Head Professional of the Year – Mike Bender, Tri-Mountain Golf Course (Ridgefield, WA)
• Assistant Professional of the Year – Damian Brink, Joe Louis Golf Course (Riverdale, IL)
• Salesperson of the Year – Bill Tibbetts, Lincoln Hills Golf Club (Lincoln, CA)
• Golf Operations Rookie of the Year – Bart Edlen, Columbus Park Golf Course (Chicago)
• Food and Beverage Grille Operation of the Year – Compass Pointe Golf Courses (Pasadena, MD)
• Food and Beverage Dining Operation of the Year – Virginia Oaks Golf Club (Gainesville, VA)
• Golf Retail Operation of the Year – Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf (OH)

Golf Course Operations Awards

• General Manager of the Year – Ryan Phelps, Pine Ridge Golf Club (Coram, NY)
• Head Professional of the Year – Mike Bender, Tri-Mountain Golf Course (Ridgefield, WA)
• Assistant Professional of the Year – Damian Brink, Joe Louis Golf Course (Riverdale, IL)
• Salesperson of the Year – Bill Tibbetts, Lincoln Hills Golf Club (Lincoln, CA)
• Golf Operations Rookie of the Year – Bart Edlen, Columbus Park Golf Course (Chicago)
• Food and Beverage Grille Operation of the Year – Compass Pointe Golf Courses (Pasadena, MD)
• Food and Beverage Dining Operation of the Year – Virginia Oaks Golf Club (Gainesville, VA)
• Golf Retail Operation of the Year – Cincinnati Recreation Commission Golf (OH)

Agronomy Awards

• Superintendent of the Year – Jed Vinson, The National Golf Club of Louisiana (Westlake, LA)
• Asst. Superintendent of the Year – Dave Collins, Lyman Orchards Golf Club (Middlefield, CT)
• Most Improved Golf Course of the Year – Chicago Park District Golf (Chicago)
• Agronomic Rookie of the Year – Keith Kraus, Mohawk Park Golf Course (Tulsa, OK)
• Environmental Stewardship – Johnny Alexander, Royce Brook Golf Club (Hillsborough, NJ)
• Bang for the Buck – Mark Seman, Sumner Meadows Golf Links (Sumner, WA)
• Team Player of the Year – Eric Nelson, 1757 Golf Club (Ashburn, VA)
• Team Player of the Year – Juan Perez, Victoria Hills Golf Club (DeLand, FL)