12 TPCs Receive GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Honors


Twelve TPCs have been awarded top honors in the annual Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards for 2010, including two that have earned National Awards. Golf course superintendent Todd Bunte at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, N.J., received the National Private Award, while Golf Course Superintendent Tom Vlach at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. - home to the Players Championship - received the National Resort Award.

An independent panel of judges representing national environmental groups, turfgrass experts, university researchers and members of the golf community conducted the award selection. Superintendents and their courses were judged on overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach. Additionally, these categories were judged on sustainability, criticality, originality and technology implementation and use. All of the winners will be formally recognized during the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Orlando on February 8, and will also be showcased in the February issue of Golf Course Management magazine.

"We are very proud of Collier Miller and his outstanding team of superintendents and agronomy professionals throughout the TPC Network, who continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to preserve and protect the environment," said David Pillsbury, president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties.

Judges selected winners in three National categories (Public, Private and Resort) and an International winner, and also bestowed honors upon the top entry from each GCSAA affiliated Chapter. Merit honors were awarded to those who did not earn National or Chapter honors, but in the opinion of the judges, deserved special recognition.

In addition to the National Awards, Chapter Award honors in the public division category were awarded to Robb Arnold at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.; Paul Grogan at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.; and Kim Wood at TPC Las Vegas. Chapter Award honors/private division were awarded to Stephen Britton at TPC Potomac in Potomac, Md.; Michael Crawford at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga.; and Thomas DeGrandi at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn.

Chapter Award honors in the resort division were awarded to Jeff Plotts at TPC Scottsdale. Merit Award honors in the private division were awarded to David Davies at TPC Stonebrae in Hayward, Calif.; Dale Hahn at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nev.; and Jim Thomas at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.

All of the TPCs honored, as well as nearly all clubs within the TPC Network, are certified as official Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Systems by Audubon International. To date, PGA Tour-owned or licensed TPCs have earned 102 GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.

"I am very proud of the work our talented team of maintenance and agronomy professionals do every day to conserve natural resources, preserve wildlife habitats, and help educate the public regarding the valuable role golf courses play in protecting the environment," said Collier Miller, PGA Tour Golf Course Properties' Director of TPC Agronomy. "At the same time, they do an outstanding job ensuring PGA Tour players, members and guests enjoy the best possible playing conditions year-round."

For more information about the PGA Tour's TPC Network, visit www.tpc.com.