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Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) CEO Mark Woodward, CGCS, has been named to Golf Inc. magazine's 2009 "Most Powerful People in Golf" for the second consecutive year.
Ranked No. 25, Woodward was recognized for his "diligent work to promote GCSAA and The Environmental Institute for Golf as shepherds of the environment; promoting increased professional education and advancement for superintendents; and overseeing research on sustainable strategies as a best practices manual and a governmental and public relations vehicle."
"We are pleased to see that Mark is recognized as one of the most powerful people in golf," GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, said. "It is testament to the fact that GCSAA is a leading golf association and is affecting positive change."
The Golf Inc. list also includes several Advisory Council members and trustees of The Environmental Institute for Golf. The Institute is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.
- Dana Garmany, CEO of Troon Golf (co-No. 2)
- Joe Steranka, CEO of PGA of America (ranked No. 8)
- Greg Norman, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises (No. 10)
- Bill Kubly, founder and CEO of Landscapes Unlimited (No. 24)
- Herbert Kohler, chairman, CEO and president of Kohler Co. (No. 31)
- David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties (No. 32)
The magazine's annual "Most Powerful" list highlights 35 individuals judged to have the most ability to influence the development of courses and communities, the operation of courses, the equipment used by golfers and the rules and administration of the game. The 2009 list also includes past recipients of GCSAA's highest honor, the Old Tom Morris Award: Jack Nicklaus (ranked No. 1 for the sixth consecutive year), Tim Finchem (No. 6) and Arnold Palmer (No. 21).
Woodward became GCSAA's chief executive in July 2008, after hosting a successful 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course as the former golf operations manager for the city of San Diego. He was tapped by the World Golf Foundation in 2009 to lead the environmental committee for Golf 20/20, which is a collaboration of all segments of the golf industry, from the associations and manufacturers to golf course owners/operators and the media, designed to galvanize the industry around strategic initiatives and grass-roots activation to ensure the future vitality of the game. Woodward was also recruited to join the LPGA Commissioner’s 2009-10 advisory council.
While in San Diego, Woodward developed a five year business plan that generated an additional $3 million in revenue from 2006 to 2007, including the implementation of the Advance Tee Time program that added $500,000 in revenue in the first year. His department hosted numerous high profile events including three junior world golf championships, three city amateur championships, three PGA Tour events and the 2008 U.S. Open -- on top of the three golf facilities annually hosting 260 golf outings. His plan created 20,000 additional rounds for the public golfer. From a golf course standpoint, Woodward implemented a management plan that produced drastically improved course conditions and enhanced environmental stewardship. He was named to Golf Inc.'s 2006 Most Admired Operators list.
Woodward was named to his position in San Diego after serving 31 years in various capacities with the Phoenix suburb of Mesa, Ariz. His last position there was parks and recreation administrator, which included the oversight of two golf courses, a tennis facility, the Chicago Cubs spring training home, a minor league baseball training site, a park ranger program and a cemetery. Woodward, who served as GCSAA's president in 2004, is also active in the National Institute of Golf Management sponsored by the National Golf Foundation. He also leads The Environmental Institute for Golf as its CEO.
This is the ninth consecutive year that GCSAA's CEO has made Golf Inc.'s "Most Powerful" list. Former GCSAA CEO Steve Mona stepped down in 2008 to take a newly created CEO position at the World Golf Foundation. Mona appears on the list again this year as well at No. 22.
