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A legend of the golf course superintendent profession in the Carolinas, James E. “Ernie” Hayes, has been recognized with a scholarship endowment in his name. Hayes, 85, was surprised with the announcement at a recent meeting of the Western North Carolina Turfgrass Association at Cummings Cove Golf Club in Hendersonville, NC.
WNCTA president, Fred Gehrisch, CGCS, of Highlands Falls Country Club, said the endowment would rightfully ensure that future generations will know the name of Ernie Hayes.
“Ernie has given so much to the people around him in the golf industry and it’s his example of giving back that we want to honor,” Gehrisch said.
Hayes is a past winner of the Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association’s Distinguished Service Award. He still works part time at Linville Land Harbor’s 18-hole golf course where Dexter Bentley and Paul Waycaster are superintendents.
Over the years the WNCTA has given close to $20,000 in education scholarships to sons and daughters of association members. The Ernie Hayes endowment opens with $7,000 and a commitment from the WNCTA to raise that amount to $25,000, at which time Gehrisch said it will start paying for itself.
At the meeting announcing the Ernie Hayes endowment, Gehrisch praised the support of industry partners.
“They are the ones to thank as it has been their gifts that have made this happen,” he said.
Hayes was joined at the meeting by three sons, all of whom have strong golf backgrounds. Jim, a pharmacist now, is a former Class A PGA professional. Michael, a former golf course superintendent, is now a grounds and site consultant to Laurelmor, a new resort project. Wally owns and operates HydroLinks Irrigation, specializing in installation of golf course irrigation systems.