The GCSAA recognized retired superintendent Thomas Lavrenz with the Leo Feser Award for his article, “Stress: What's really important,” which appeared in the February 2008 issue of Golf Course Management magazine.
Nearly five years ago Lavrenz was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and more than a year ago he was also diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy. Last year, Lavrenz retired from his job as director of golf for the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In his golf career, he has been an active member of GCSAA for 18 years, working as a Class A superintendent at such Iowa courses as Jones Park Golf Course, Squaw Creek and Ellis Golf Course. Lavrenz now spends his time enjoying the company of Julie, his wife of 25 years, and his five boys, ages 19, 18, 16, 12 and 8, at their home in Hiawatha, Iowa.
The Leo Feser Award is given annually to the best superintendent-written article published in GCM, the association's monthly magazine. The award winner is selected by members of GCSAA's Strategic Communications Committee. Lavrenz will receive the award Feb. 5 during the Opening Session of the GCSAA Education Conference at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
Lavrenz's article is about the difference between what is important and can be changed, and what is important but cannot be changed. He tells the reader:
"Stress often results from not being able to differentiate between the two. You must recognize this, figure out what is most important, and then tackle it in a straightforward manner. While all superintendents are different, we have one thing in common: We belong to one of the finest professions in the world. This is not just a job to us … it is our chosen profession. All the way from the CEO of GCSAA to an assistant superintendent in Small Town, U.S.A., our association has been trying to help us recognize our own strengths and weaknesses and improve the quality of our lives. Now I want to help my colleagues in a similar manner.”
"Tom is a dedicated GCSAA member who has always been willing to share his experience both on and off the golf course" says GCSAA president David S. Downing II, CGCS. "Though not a typical GCM article, we believe it holds meaning for our members and it obviously struck a chord with the Strategic Communications Committee."
As the Feser Award winner, Lavrenz will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2009 GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 2-7) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 5-7) in New Orleans. Also, in addition to the recognition at the Golf Industry Show, Lavrenz’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is on permanent display at GCSAA headquarters.
The Feser Award honors the late Leo Feser, a pioneer golf course superintendent and a charter member of GCSAA. Feser is credited with keeping the association's official publication alive during the Great Depression. For three years (1933-36), he wrote, edited, assembled and published each issue of The Greenkeepers' Report from his home in Wayzata, Minn. The award was first presented in 1956 and has been given annually since 1977.