Newsletter Articles

GCSAA Update - "STEM at the Stadium"

Do you remember the article written by Nashua CC member Greg Hollick last year:

On Wednesday, May 22^nd, over 1,400 students from across the state participated in the "STEM at the Stadium" event at the New Hampshire Fisher Cats game. This event is a New Hampshire Golf Course Superintendents Association initiative to spark interest in the golf industry.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Studying these disciplines early in life is important for students to help them develop crucial skills like critical thinking while having fun in an academic setting.

During this recent event held at Fisher Cats Stadium in Manchester, NH, students were able to visit a number of different booths and speak to a variety of vendors and educators. Kids were able to engage in hands-on learning through participation in activities set up in the stadium.

Representing the NHGCSA, Kevin Doyle, Pat Lanman, John Clark and I spoke to interested students about several facets of golf course management. We fielded many good questions and were impressed by the knowledge and level of interest expressed by the participants. We hope to inspire tomorrow’s superintendents by promoting a rigorous STEM based education in schools across New Hampshire.

The students went through four stations pertaining to golf course and turf-related topics. Participants:

  - Identified turf grass species by looking at leaf blades.

  - Engaged in identification of four common turf seeds.

  - Used a Field Scout TDR moisture meter to test moisture levels in two different soil samples.

  - Viewed turf grass leaf blades and seeds under a macroscope.

The day was a success for promoting the partnership between STEM educators and students and the NHGCSA. We look forward to the next opportunity to further this exciting initiative.

Best Regards,

Greg Hollick

Nashua Country Club

Well, it’s happening again in 2025!  That’s right, there are two more chances to introduce hundreds of children to the world of turfgrass and golf course maintenance.  The day is a lot of work, and a lot of fun.  Here are two dates for 2025:

           Wednesday May 7^th vs Hartford Yard Goats

           Wednesday May 21^st vs Somerset Patriots

If you are interested in helping on either, or both dates, please reach out to the board or GCSAA’s Kevin Doyle ([email protected]) and we can ensure that you get your complimentary ticket and parking passes. 

STEM at the Stadium is a great way to tell our story!  Please consider helping out.

Upcoming GCSAA Deadlines:

Outstanding Contribution Award

The Outstanding Contribution Award recognizes an individual/group (singular award) who has made a significant contribution to the membership through outstanding contributions for the golf course industry.

Criteria

An individual/group may be nominated by a chapter of GCSAA, a college/university representative, a member of the industry or any member of GCSAA, including self-nominations. Evidence of substantiation must accompany the nomination. Nominees must not currently be a Class AA, A, B, C, EM or ISM GCSAA member or must not have retired in any of the membership classification listed. A nominee must have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent’s profession. The contribution must be significant in both substance and duration. The outstanding contribution may be or have been regional in nature. The nominee must not have been a recipient of the Outstanding Contribution Award in the past.

The Outstanding Contribution Award Task Group makes a recommendation to the GCSAA Board of Directors from the nominations, and then the board selects the award winner.

Nominations

Nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Contribution Award are open through May 11, 2025.

Apply here: https://form.jotform.com/212455705563961

GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards: Deadline May 31^st

Applications for 2025 ELGAs  are open!

In 2018, the ELGAs were updated to recognize more superintendents in more focused areas of environmental sustainability. The ELGAs are based on the environmental best management practices that GCSAA recommends all courses utilize.

There are four ELGAs available:

• Natural Resource Conservation Award
• Healthy Land Stewardship Award
• Communications and Outreach Award
• Innovative Conservation Award

There will be one winner and two runners-up recognized for each award. GCSAA members may apply to one, two, three or all four awards in a single year. However, an individual can only win one award per year.

Winners will be recognized at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.