Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 8, 2020) – David Brinkley Mull, Jr., of the University of Tennessee, won the Mendenhall Award scholarship of $6,000 in the 2020 GCSAA Scholars Competition, offered through the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). This year, the program awarded scholarships to 20 turf management students. A total of $28,000 was awarded to the winners.
The GCSAA Scholars Competition is primarily funded by the Robert Trent Jones Endowment and administered by the Environmental Institute for Golf, GCSAA's philanthropic organization. It was developed to recognize outstanding students planning careers in golf course management.
“Winning this award is an absolute blessing,” said Mull, who is a senior at the University of Tennessee. “It’s going to make a huge impact helping me with student loans and I am so grateful to receive this help for my future career.”
Mull’s career aspirations to work in the golf course management industry were first sparked at his family farm in his hometown of Roan Mountain, Tenn., where he raised horses and area plants. He gained experience working at the Hound Ears Club in Boone, N.C. “I grew to love the industry and the game of golf at Hound Ears Club because I was surrounded by great people,” said Mull.
“My goal is to become an assistant superintendent in the mountains of Tennessee or North Carolina,” said Mull, who expects to graduate in December.
The top award in the Scholars Competition is named for the late Chet Mendenhall, who was a charter member of GCSAA, a past president (1948) and recipient of the association’s Distinguished Service Award (1986).
Landon Hall of Killarney, Manitoba, Canada, who attends Pennsylvania State University, received the second-place award of $3,000 known as the MacCurrach Award. It is named in honor of the late Allan MacCurrach, who became the PGA Tour’s first staff agronomist in 1974 and was the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award winner in 1997. The PGA Tour funds this award.
Other award-winners are:
Issaiah Abeita, Isleta, N.M., New Mexico State University, Scholars Award, $2,500
James Schon, Amherst, Ohio, Ohio State University – Agricultural Technical Institute, Scholars Award, $2,500
Russell Bolarinho, Acushnet, Mass., Pennsylvania State University, Scholars Award, $2,000
William Lannon, Fairfax, Va., Virginia Tech University, Scholars Award, $2,000
William Covert, West Chester, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, Scholars Award, $1,500
Steven Page, Canton, Mich., Michigan State University, Scholars Award, $1,500
Cade Cutchen, San Francisco, Calif., Florida Gateway College, Scholars Award, $1,000
Ryan Welker, Cambridge Springs, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, Scholars Award, $1000
Ty Barschdorf, Bridgman, Mich., Michigan State University, Merit Award, $500.
Spencer Cole, Grant, Mich., Michigan State University, Merit Award, $500
Jack Daley, Cave Creek, Ariz., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
Keith Dubaich, Shermans Dale, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
Luke Gabel, Laguna Beach, Calif., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
Nathan Howard, Alto, Mich., Michigan State University, Merit Award, $500
Mason Marsh, Mount Washington, Ky., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
Clark McCall, Maryville, Tenn., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
Austin Reynolds, Newton, Iowa, Hawkeye Community College, Merit Award, $500
Garrett Wege, New Derry, Pa., Pennsylvania State University, Merit Award, $500
The GCSAA Scholars Competition Task Group reviewed and scored the applications. Criteria included academic achievement, potential to become a leading industry professional, employment history, extracurricular activities and recommendations from a current academic advisor and a superintendent with whom the student has worked.
Applicants must be enrolled in a recognized undergraduate program in a major field related to golf/turf management and be a GCSAA member. Undergraduate applicants must have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours or the equivalent of one year of full-time study in an appropriate major.
For more information on the program, visithere.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA atwww.gcsaa.orgor find us onFacebookorTwitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine atGCMonline.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG atwww.eifg.org. or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
About the Golf Industry Show
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) presents the Golf Industry Show annually. It is an innovative conference and trade show combining education, networking opportunities and practical solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders. The Golf Industry Show is presented jointly with the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA). Participating partners include National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), the National Golf Foundation (NGF) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Director, Marketing and Communications
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 3647 or 785-393-1361 (cell)
ahartmann@gcsaa.org
Mike Strauss
Manager, Media Relations
Phone: 800-472-7878, ext. 5164
mstrauss@gcsaa.org