Marriott Golf named Chris Flynn, director of grounds for Orlando’s Grande Pines Golf Club, as golf grounds manager of the year.
The award is based on performance excellence for current and previous years in various categories, including maintaining turfgrass conditions, successful large scale renovation or construction projects, loss prevention efforts, active pursuit of industrywide certifications and education and more.
Under Flynn’s guidance and leadership, Grande Pines was one of the first properties in the Marriott Golf portfolio to achieve certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, setting the standard for the other properties within the company. A highlight of this effort, and as part of Grande Pines’ commitment to environmental stewardship, Flynn spearheaded a community project of building a butterfly garden at a local elementary school, in conjunction with a local Boy Scouts Troop. Flynn and his staff supported the school and the project by educating students on the importance of preserving the environment and assisting with routine maintenance of the garden.
“Chris Flynn is well deserving of this honor, as his contributions to Grande Pines Golf Club have truly enhanced the golf experience,” says Bill Nault, vice president of Marriott Golf. “On behalf of the Marriott Golf family, we are thrilled to recognize Chris for his commitment to excellence.”
Prior to his role as the director of golf grounds at Grande Pines, Flynn served as the superintendent of Grande Vista Golf Club at Marriott’s Grande Vista Resort. Additionally, Flynn, who completed the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America certification program while at Grande Pines, has developed several eco-friendly programs that have curtailed operating expenditures for the club. He also has earned Marriott Vacation Club’s Top Mover Award for associate satisfaction within his department and Marriott Golf’s Crystal Achievement Award for public relations excellence.
