Five superintendents win trip to Golf Industry Show

For the seventh straight year, The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Environmental Institute for Golf, and Bayer Environmental Science are sending five golf course superintendents to the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference (Feb. 8-12) and Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11) in San Diego.

The winners of a random drawing held by The Institute are:

• Arin Hawkins, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Raymond Memorial Golf Course, Columbus, Ohio
• Stephen Hendley, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Lake Carlsbad (N.M.) Golf Course
• Christopher Young, GCSAA superintendent member, Port Jervis (N.Y.) Country Club
• Michael Painter, GCSAA Class A superintendent, Meadowbrook Golf Course, Lubbock, Texas
• Donald Firestone, GCSAA superintendent member, Capitol City Golf Club, Olympia, Wash.

The purpose of the grant is to assist golf course superintendents with their professional development through participation in the annual event, which features the most comprehensive education program and trade show in the industry.

"We are very fortunate to have Bayer Environmental Science offering opportunities like this to superintendents," GCSAA President Mark DMark D. Kuhns, CGCS, said. "These recipients are being afforded an experience and professional development opportunity that otherwise would not have been available to them."

All five winners receive airfare, hotel accommodations for five nights, conference full-pack registration, two education seminars (half-day, one-day, or two-day), and $200 spending money.

“Bayer Environmental Science recognizes the importance of professional development to stay current in the field,” Jimmy Johnson, Bayer Environmental Science fungicide business manager, said. “We are pleased to continue our relationship with The Environmental Institute for Golf by helping these five golf course superintendents further their professional development at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show.”

Bayer is a GCSAA Gold Partner and is one of just three supporters at the Star Club level for donors who have contributed between $500,000 and $999,999 to The Institute since 1987.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 20,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. It is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer Environmental Science, a business operations unit of Bayer CropScience, is a leader in environmental science and provides innovative products to professionals and consumers for turf and ornamentals, termite control, general insect control and vector control applications.