Eight assistant superintendents, all members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, will be a part of the eighth class of the EXCEL Leadership Program.
The three-year program, which is funded by Nufarm, offers leadership training for personal, career and community/industry stewardship for assistant superintendents.
The members of the 2025 EXCEL Leadership Program are:
- Juan G. Amezcua Avalos of Hop Meadow Country Club, Simsbury, Connecticut
- Jordan Diede of City Park Nine Golf Course, Fort Collins, Colorado
- Clinton Edger of Common Ground Golf Course, Aurora, Colorado
- Jonathan Kaschak of Concord Country Club, West Chester, Pennsylvania
- Cole Miedema of The Club at Kukui’ula, Koloa, Hawaii
- Elliott Pope of Frederica Golf Club, Saint Simons Island, Georgia
- Caleb Smith of Eugene Country Club, Eugene, Oregon
- Hattie Spies of Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma
“GCSAA is pleased to once again provide career-enhancing professional development opportunities through the Nufarm EXCEL Leadership Program,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Congratulations to the members of this year’s class. Your drive and determination to advance your career and grow your network undoubtedly strengthens the association and, in turn, the turfgrass management industry.”
EXCEL features a pair of three-day education and training sessions along with a trip to the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. The latest class will join the existing EXCEL cohorts at the fall meeting, Oct. 7-9, at PGA Headquarters in Frisco, Texas; the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando; and the Spring Meeting in 2026, with details to be announced later.
“Nufarm is excited to welcome a new group of outstanding assistants into the EXCEL Program,” Nufarm U.S. golf segment lead Jeff Eldridge, CGCS, said. “Over the next three years, these future leaders will experience some of the finest professional development education in the industry. We’re proud to partner with GCSAA to provide them with this unique opportunity for growth and success.”
