The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California (GCSANC) recognized six of its members for their contributions within the golf and turf care industry. Awards were presented recently at the GCSANC Annual Meeting held at the California Golf Club of San Francisco where more than 100 association members and turf care industry representatives were in attendance. Event keynote speaker was Lyn Nelson, CEO for the Northern California Golf Association (NCGA).
The Superintendent of the Year Award was presented to GCSANC’s President Thomas Bastis, CGCS, from the California Golf Club. A certified golf course superintendent, he receives the top honor for his contributions to the association and the golf community. Bastis has served on the GCSANC board of directors for multiple terms and on several chapter committees (Scholarship, Research, Strategic Planning and Finance) where he’s been instrumental in improving programs and services for fellow golf course superintendents.
It was just a few years ago that Bastis worked closely with design and construction consultants completing a massive, historically-minded restoration at the California Golf Club. Today, when he isn’t busy maintaining his nationally-ranked course, Bastis also gives back to community through his volunteer efforts at Gleneagles Golf Course, a 9-hole public course that now boasts new greens due in great part from the honoree’s assistance.
Richard Lavine, CGCS, of San Rafael, Calif. is the recipient of the prestigious George Santana Distinguished Service Award presented for his long-standing commitment to the GCSANC and the turf care industry. A certified golf course superintendent who has been an association member for 33 years, Lavine has assisted with development programs at the chapter, state and national level. He is past president of the association and a former GCSANC Superintendent of the Year award winner.
The GCSANC Turfgrass Excellence Award is presented to two individuals for their high level of achievements in upholding standards in the area of turfgrass maintenance. Criteria for this award takes into consideration overall course condition, environmental factors, rounds of play, and maintenance budget. The recipient for the GCSANC Turfgrass Excellence Award in the Public Category is Ryan Zuehlsdorf who received the award for his superior level of maintenance and conditioning at The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch (Antioch, Calif.), a busy bay area course surrounded by a working cattle ranch.
In the Private Category, the Turfgrass Excellence Award was presented to Jeff Markow, CGCS, of Cypress Point Club (Pebble Beach, Calif.) where he diligently serves as golf course superintendent A certified golf course superintendent, Markow takes great pride in maintaining the majestic MacKenzie-designed course which hugs the Monterey Peninsula and is consistently-ranked amongst the world’s best private courses.
Greg Dunn, a dedicated sales manager for West Coast Turf, is the recipient of the GCSANC Bert Graves Affiliate Merit Award. With 25 years in the sod business Dunn also finds time to give back to the GCSANC. He supports industry-related events and just completed his tenure as an affiliate board member while co-chairing the GCSANC Sponsor Relations Committee, raising funds for worthy educational programs, research projects and scholarships. His community outreach efforts include working with the Good Tidings Foundation renovating play fields for youth in underserved areas.
Terry Stratton, golf course superintendent at Little River Inn Golf & Tennis Resort (LRIG&T) is the recipient of the GCSANC Presidents Award. He receives this honor for his outstanding accomplishments as a golf course superintendent, one fully committed to making an ecological difference, not just on the course but throughout the entire resort through reuse and recycling efforts.
A former recipient of the prestigious GCSAA-Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award, Stratton has been able to avoid using groundwater when irrigating, as the golf course captures winter rains in reservoirs (with siphon and gravity) moving irrigation water between reservoirs, and with no need for electricity. He has significantly reduced the use of pesticides and is constantly seeking was to improve habitat for wildlife. Stratton has obtained certification as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary site and participates in the Golfer Green Pledge program.
The Northern California Chapter of the GCSAA is dedicated to serving its members, advancing their profession and enhancing the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The GCSANC is also a supporter of the California Alliance for Golf, Play Golf America, The First Tee, and Doctor’s Orders: Play Golf. To learn more about the GCSANC visit http://www.gcsanc.com/.