The Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (OGCSA) has recognized Richard A. Fluter as the 2008 recipient of the Hall of Fame Award. The award will be presented on May 4 at the Oregon Superintendents Annual Meeting at Salashan Resort and Spa.
A veteran superintendent, Fluter began his working life at the age of 12 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, working for his dad Edward Fluter, a previous Hall of Fame Award recipient. At Glendoveer, he learned a deep appreciation for the game, hard work, and the value of serving others. He was the first undergraduate in turf management at Oregon State University in 1966, and began a career of service to the industry that has spanned 40 years. During that time he worked at Oswego Lake Country Club for 28 years, and was most recently president of Pacific Sports Turf.
An Oregon GCSAA member since 1966, he served as president from 1974 to 1977. During his term on the Board he helped organize the first official superintendent’s pesticide exam sessions in Oregon, the Pro/Superintendent/ Manager/Director Tournament, and organized local efforts involved in the 1977 GCSAA Conference and Show held in Portland. In the years since, Dick has served in advisory roles with local college programs and state agriculture committees. He has been a strong supporter of Oregon State University through Board service with Trysting Tree Golf Club, and the Guistina Foundation, and was instrumental in helping to acquire the recent one million dollar endowment for the OSU Turf Program.
It is the intent of the Oregon GCSAA Hall of Fame Award to identify those individuals who have done outstanding work in their field, serving the golf and turf industry. Criteria includes minimum industry involvement of 20 years and service to the Oregon GCSAA and its members.