William Shirley, CGCS, at Peachtree Golf Club in Atlanta, GA has won the highest honor bestowed by the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association. Shirley, a 30-year industry veteran, was named Superintendent of the Year at the association’s annual meeting in Atlanta late October.
“You could put him on the moon and you’d still have a great golf course,” Georgia GCSA president, Anthony Williams, CGCS said of Shirley’s expertise. “He has always been known for the excellent conditioning he presents on the golf course and he’s a real people person too. You can always count him to be there if you need help.”
Shirley led the Georgia GCSA as president in 1993-94 and served almost a decade as a board member. He has been at Peachtree Golf Club, one of Atlanta’s most respected facilities, for 14 years. “It’s such an honor to receive this award,” Shirley said. “There are many great names on the list of previous winners and I’m honored to be among them.”
Shirley will also be recognized at the 2011 Georgia Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony in January.
Other major awards delivered at the Georgia GCSA annual meeting included the Distinguished Service Award which went to University of Georgia turfgrass professor, Dr. Keith Karnok. Dr. Karnok has taught and researched turfgrass for more than 30 years and boasts a national reputation for his work. He is a past winner of a similar service award from the Crop Society of America.
“Dr. Karnok is a true friend to Georgia GCSA,” association executive director, Tenia Workman, said. “His commitment to growing the game of golf in Georgia is commendable and the Georgia GCSA is proud to honor his efforts.”
Anthony Williams, CGCS honored Mike Crawford, CGCS from TPC Sugarloaf with the President’s Award for his exceptional service to the Georgia GCSA. Crawford currently serves as past-president of the Georgia GCSA and continues to serve as chairman of the government relations committee and the state’s Allied Golf Council.
Justin Sims, from Augusta National Golf Club, was named Assistant Superintendent of the Year.
Other awards -
Photography in the Georgia GCSA publication, Through The Green:
1st – Mark Hayes, Peachtree Golf Club, “Max on Patrol No. 2”
2nd - Patrick Reinhart, The Standard Club, “Hole No.13 Green Fall Color”
3rd - Wally Gresham, Sunset Hills Country Club, “No. 15 Green in the Snow”
Golden Pen Award for articles published in Through The Green:
Superintendent Category – Richard Staughton, CGCS Towne Lake Hills Golf Club, “Cold, Snow and Wind: Weather Unfit for Man or Plants” (May/June 2010)
Non-Superintendent Category – Lydell Mack, The River Club, “Are Pine Straw Beds Really Cost Effective” (March/April 2010)
Service Awards:
40 years - Ralph O. Talton
30 years - William Shirley, CGCS, W.L. Stribling, James Wine
25 years - Carey Pittman, T. Powell Gaines
Legacy Scholarship Recipients:
Casey Drinkard – son of James Drinkard, Athens Country Club
Heather Dusch – daughter of Jim Dusch, CGCS Hawks Ridge Golf Club
Jayson Brentley Hemphill – son of Jay Hemphill
Mark Hoban, Jr. – son of Mark Hoban, CGCS Rivermont Golf and Country Club
Jackson Esoda – son of Mark Esoda, CGCS Atlanta Country Club
Berry Collett, CGCS Sea Island Golf Club, and Brian Long were recognized for their board service.
2011 Georgia GCSA board of directors -
President: Anthony Williams, CGCS Stone Mountain Golf Club
Vice-president: Craig Ketelsen, CGCS Orchard Hills Golf Club
Secretary-treasurer: Mike Brown, The Standard Club
Immediate past-president: Mike Crawford, CGCS TPC Sugarloaf
Directors: Jason Brownell, Big Canoe Golf Club; Greg Burleson, CGCS Augusta Country Club; Scott Griffith, University of Georgia Golf Course; Tony Mancuso, CGCS Cherokee Town and Country Club; John McCarthy, Crystal Falls Golf Club; Jerry Matthews, CGCS Brookfield Country Club; Rob Roy, The River Club. Justin Sims, Augusta National Golf Club, will serve as assistant superintendent liaison to the board.