Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 16, 2025) – Casey Anderson, assistant golf course superintendent at City Park Nine Golf Course in Fort Collins, Colo., and Jeremy Lewis, director of golf course maintenance at Kingwood (Texas) Country Club, have received Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Awards from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, presented in partnership with The Toro Co., recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated growth in advocacy and advancement of the GCSAA Priority Issues Agenda through congressional outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. Through Toro, the winners receive a trip to take part in the annual National Golf Day event in Washington, D.C.
The GAL Award is part of the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador program, which matches GCSAA members with congressional offices to build strong relationships between them. More than 600 GCSAA members currently serve as ambassadors.
Anderson, a seven-year GCSAA member, grew up golfing at a local golf course in Breckenridge, Colo., where he later worked as a teenager before beginning his career in the industry in 2008. In 2013, Anderson was hired as an employee of the city of Fort Collins, where he served at the City Park Nine course technician before moving to Branson, Mo. in 2020 to be an assistant superintendent at Payne’s Valley at Big Cedar Lodge. Anderson moved back to Fort Collins in 2023, and he began looking for way to advance his career in the golf industry.
The Grassroots Ambassador Program piqued his interest. While at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Anderson had a chance to meet with the GCSAA government affairs department to learn more about the program and how he could get involved in GCSAA’s advocacy efforts. Anderson became an ambassador and is currently paired with Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO). He and fellow GCSAA members Ethan Howard, assistant superintendent at Pole Creek Golf Club in Winter Park, Colo., and Scott Phelps, CGCS, City of Fort Collins senior manager parks/golf division, met with Neguse’s field staff representative, Max Coker, to provide a better understanding of the beneficial asset that municipal golf courses are to the broader communities that they serve.
“The site visit was a resounding success, and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to interact with Rep. Neguse’s office,” Anderson said. “Through these types of meetings, I believe we can improve elected officials’ understanding of what our profession and industry are all about.”
Lewis, 17-year GCSAA member, also grew up playing golf and held his first golf course job at the age of 17. His career in golf course maintenance began in 1999. Lewis has been at Kingwood Country Club since 2016 and started overseeing all five golf courses at Kingwood Country Club in 2019.
Johnny Walker, GCSAA’s South Central regional representative, approached Lewis about becoming an ambassador, and Lewis was paired with Rep. Daniel Crenshaw (R-TX). Lewis’ first meeting with Crenshaw focused on the positive relationship between golf and the environment.
“A priority of mine is promoting what Texas is trying to do with (best management practices) to be environmentally responsible. There are a lot of golf courses in Texas, and I want my state to lead the way in adopting and following BMP guidelines,” Lewis said. “I am proud to represent GCSAA as a Grassroots Ambassador and promote policies important to both me and the golf industry.”
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 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or 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.
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