Lawrence, Kan. (April 25, 2023) – The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Harrell’s and the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Series (NBIII) have teamed up to create a program to educate junior golfers on careers in professional golf course management while recognizing the work of golf course superintendents and their teams. The goal is to help strengthen the golf industry by introducing junior golfers to career opportunities to support future golf course management employment needs.
Beginning with the NBIII Arizona Regional April 29-30 at Talking Stick Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz., junior golfers and their families at selected events receive a GCSAA golf course tournament fact sheet and learn how GCSAA member superintendents and their teams prepare the golf course for their events.
While many tournament participants have goals of becoming professional golfers, the outreach program will provide insight on other opportunities for professions in the golf industry with a focus on careers in professional golf course maintenance and management.
“This partnership with Harrell’s and the Notah Begay III Junior Golf Championships is an excellent way to educate young golfers on the work of superintendents and their teams while making them aware of different avenues into the golf industry,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Providing the course fact sheet helps the participants learn about how different grasses affect play and will improve their course knowledge. We are excited to make young players aware of opportunities in the golf course management profession and bring to light the work that goes into maintaining golf courses by our members.”
Talking Stick Golf Club’s GCSAA member superintendent, Paul Blumke, will be recognized Saturday for his and his team’s efforts in preparing the course for the two-day, 80-player event, which concludes Sunday.
“Our partnership with GCSAA and Harrell’s will help deliver educational opportunities to our youth and broaden their understanding of the turf management industry,” Notah Begay III said. “The game of golf goes beyond the professional level and we thrive off teaching our players the principles to be better on and off the golf course.”
“Harrell’s is honored to partner with Notah Begay III Junior National Championship Series and GCSAA to support junior golf and provide more visibility into what goes on behind the scenes to prepare the golf courses for tournament conditions,” Harrell’s vice president of business Jason Frank said.
The GCSAA Tournament Fact Sheets provided to the participants include that event’s tournament set up information, course statistics, turfgrass types and information on the men and women who manage the course. This is the same information that the GCSAA provides to media covering professional golf events, including the PGA Tour, LPGA, PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, Epson Tour, USGA and PGA of America events, and other selected tournaments.
Talking Stick Golf Club will be the home course of the 2024 GCSAA Golf Championships presented by Toro when the association holds its annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show Jan. 29-Feb. 1, 2024 in Phoenix. More than 500 golf course superintendents and GCSAA members participated in this year’s tournament in Orlando.
About GCSAA
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 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation.
About Harrell’s
In addition to being one of the nation’s largest distributors of branded fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides, Harrell’s produces top-quality, custom-blended fertilizers, specialty liquids, and wetting agents. Harrell’s guarantees stringent quality control procedures, tight manufacturing specifications, and careful selection of raw materials for each product that carries the Harrell’s name. They are also the owner, world-class formulator, and sole world distributor of POLYON®, the industry’s superior controlled-release fertilizer technology. For more information about Harrell’s, including the company’s core values to serve, honor, and glorify God, take care of people, and grow in financial strength, visit www.harrells.com.
About Notah Begay III Championship Series
Founded in 2020, the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship Series is a three-tier qualifying system for boys and girls, leading to national championships broadcast on Golf Channel. The series features three stages of qualifying – Local, Regional Finals and the National Championships with divisions for youths between the ages of 10 and 18. To learn more about the Notah Begay III Championship Series visit https://www.jgnc.org/
Contact:
Angela Hartmann
Director, 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