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The Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has recognized John F. Anderson as the first recipient of the Michael S. Hindahl Environmental Award of Excellence. The award will be presented at the Oregon Superintendents Annual Meeting at Salashan Resort and Spa on May 4th.
Anderson, a 36-year veteran superintendent, has worked at notable clubs such as Portland Golf Club, The Oregon Golf Club, Coeur d’Alene Resort and most recently Pronghorn Golf Club. Anderson has always been a steward of the environment, which he credits his parents for instilling at a young age, but it was when he worked at The Oregon Golf Club that he realized that as a superintendent he could influence the environment in away that could benefit the condition of the golf course.
Up until the early 90s, fertility was mostly based upon a granular program. Anderson realized that he could have greater control of the playing surface by spoon feeding the turf small amounts of nitrogen at a time. From that point he began to see the benefit in regards to pest and disease control. Soon he was able to go multiple years without applying pesticides to the golf course simply by following his newly developed BMPs. Anderson credits his success to changing cups every day.
He says, “It gives me the opportunity to check the moisture levels, and fertility levels and to scout for diseases first hand.”
He feels it keeps him in tune with what is happening on the course at all times. This simply led to a new mind set with John which he instilled in his employees who took his philosophy with them to their own courses. David Phipps, superintendent at Stone Creek Golf Club, is one who benefited from Anderson's mentorship.
“John helped me develop the skills I now possess as a superintendent, which have enabled me to manage Stone Creek Golf Club in an environmental friendly manner,” Phipps said.
Anderson recalls attending a USGA Section meeting with Larry Gilhuly and meeting Ron Dodson for the first time. Upon learning of the Audubon Sanctuary Program, Anderson went right to work at The Oregon Golf Club and became one of the first in the State of Oregon to become certified.
Anderson went on to Coeur d’Alene and then constructed the Fazio and the Nicholas courses at Pronghorn Golf Club in Redmond, Ore. With the support of the owners, he helped build one of the Crown Jewels of the State of Oregon. In 2004 Anderson won the GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award for best national private golf course.
The award is named after the late Michael S. Hindahl, who was a friend of the Oregon Superintendents and an environmental advocate. Hindahl helped the Oregon Superintendents pioneer the OGCSA Environmental Stewardship Guidelines. Hindahl passed away in late 2005 as a result of cancer.