Georgia GCSA honors James Drinkard as Superintendent of the Year

The Georiga Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSA) selected James Drinkard, golf course superintendent at Athens Country Club (Ga.), as its Superintendent of the Year.

“If you love what you’re doing and you love where you’re doing it, well, you’ve really got something,” Drinkard said of his time at the club, which is home to 27 holes designed by Donald Ross.

Drinkard credits his mentor and eventual father-in-law, Buzz Howell, longtime colleagues Bill Hunt and Chris Thornton and an army of turfgrass students from the nearby University of Georgia.

“The partnership with the students has helped us a lot over the years,” Drinkard said. “Hopefully, we’ve helped them a little a bit too along the way.”

Drinkard’s award was presented in partnership with Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply at the Georgia GCSA’s annual awards banquet at King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island earlier this month. He also received a special pin on the night to mark 40 years of membership with the association.

In other news at the event, the association celebrated Tenia Workman’s, executive director of the Georgia GCSA, final formal duty.

Workman retires this month after 22 years helping lead the association. She was welcomed to the stage with a prolonged standing ovation and then received a luxury golf cart from E-Z-Go in thanks for her service. In February this year, she was honored with the Outstanding Contribution Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

Georgia GCSA members also elected Brandon Hayes from Reynolds Lake Oconee – Great Waters in Greensboro, Ga., as president. Hayes will work closely with, Tim Busek, who in turn is replacing Workman as executive director. Busek was formerly golf course superintendent at St Ives Country Club in Johns Creek, Ga.

Members also elected Brad Tremmier from RiverPines Golf in Johns Creek, Ga., as vice president and Scott Slemp from Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, Ga., as secretary-treasurer.

Heath Allen from Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga., was selected for another term on the board of directors. Elected newcomers include Lucas Walters from Ocean Forest Golf Club on Sea Island, Ga., and Ronald McWhorter from Reynolds Lake Oconee – The Landing in Greensboro, Ga.

In other news from the association’s three-day event:

• The late Jim Dusch, who spent much of his career at Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga., was inducted to the Georga GCSA Hall of Fame, presented in partnership with Jerry Pate Turf and Irrigation.
• Chris Steigelman, CGCS, director of facilities and projects at The Landings Golf and Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga., received the Distinguished Service Award.
• Travis Goss, also from The Landings Golf and Athletic Club, was named Assistant Superintendent of the Year.
• Steve Gonyea, CGCS at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa in Young Harris, Ga., won the Environmental Leader in Golf Award presented in partnership with the Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation.
• Jud James from Whitewater Creek Country Club in Fayetteville, Ga., and Mike Waldron, former executive director of the Georgia State Golf Association, each received pins for 30 years of membership. John Leach from Bent Tree Country Club in Jasper, Ga., and Rocky Dreibrodt of Corbin Turf and Ornamental Supply, each accepted 25-year pins.

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