National awards recognize environmental stewardship efforts of golf course superintendents
Lawrence, Kan. – Four golf course superintendents have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA) by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The annual awards are presented by GCSAA and Golf Digest in partnership with Syngenta. Seven runners-up also received recognition for their environmental efforts.
The awards have recognized superintendents and golf courses around the world for their commitment to environmental stewardship since 1993. Since 2018, the ELGAs are based on environmental best management practices and honor specific areas of focus.
- The Communications and Outreach Award recognizes effective communication of conservation strategies with facility employees, golfers and other members of the community.
- The Healthy Land Stewardship Award recognizes effective strategies for efficient use of pesticides and nutrients, as well as pollution prevention.
- The Innovative Conservation Award recognizes unique and innovative strategies for conservation.
- The Natural Resource Conservation Award recognizes effective strategies for water conservation, energy conservation and sound wildlife management.
“Golf course superintendents are committed to environmental sustainability and producing enjoyable playing conditions,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “The ELGA recipients are great examples of being able to combine these goals. We are proud of their accomplishments.”
The 2025 ELGA winners and runners-up include:
Communication and Outreach Award
Kevin Goss
Sugar Creek Golf Course
Villa Park, Ill.
Kevin Goss is a 16-year GCSAA member and has been the superintendent at Sugar Creek Golf Course, a nine-hole public course, since 2009. Goss began playing golf at Sugar Creek at a young age and started working there as a seasonal grounds worker when he was 16 years old.
Goss spreads the word about Sugar Creek’s environmental initiatives through presentations, magazine articles, posters and social media posts. He also hosts field trips for community groups and students from the College of DuPage, where he serves as a guest speaker and advisory committee member.
During his time at Sugar Creek, Goss has contributed to Elmhurst Park District environmental committees in the areas of environmental policy, energy conservation, invasive species management, and recycling.
In 2024, the golf course completed a streambank naturalization project, which made many positive contributions to the watershed and local ecosystem.
“Thanks to the whole group involved in the Sugar Creek Restoration Project, I have been asked to give tours to many groups,” Goss said. “Many are surprised and excited to see butterflies, bees, herons, hummingbirds, turtles, and native plants thriving at their local golf course.”
Goss also designs posters about local wildlife, native plants and environmental projects to keep golfers informed at the clubhouse. “Not everyone will run across our online media, but posters are seen by almost everyone that comes in,” he said.
Goss was the first runner-up for the Healthy Land Stewardship ELGA in 2023.
- First Runner-up: Christopher Hayman, The Crossings at Carlsbad, Carlsbad, Calif
- Second Runner-up: Carl Thompson, CGCS, Columbia Point Golf Course, Richland, Wash.
Healthy Land Stewardship Award
Jim Pavonetti, CGCS
Fairview Country Club
Greenwich, Conn.
Jim Pavonetti, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) and 30-year GCSAA member, has been the superintendent at Fairview Country Club for 18 years.
This is Pavonetti’s third ELGA award as he was named the Natural Resource Conservation Award recipient in 2024 and the Innovative Conservation Award recipient in 2023. He was first runner-up for the 2018 and 2019 Natural Resource Awards and the 2021 and 2022 Innovative Conservation honors.
Pavonetti says his team has become very data-driven in course management programs, and the detailed information is extremely beneficial in goals to reduce pesticide usage by 10 percent, environmental impact of chemical program by 25 percent, aquatic herbicides by 90 percent and irrigation by 20 percent.
The team maintains pond aeration with air diffusers and barley straw in cages at every inlet; uses infrared cameras, moisture meters and sensors to fine- tune what areas of the golf course need water; and inter-seeds newer varieties of creeping bentgrass that have better drought tolerance, disease resistance and insect resistance.
“I am incredibly thrilled and honored to receive the Healthy Land Stewardship Award,” Pavonetti said. “As the golf course superintendent of Fairview Country Club, this recognition means so much. It reflects the passion and teamwork of our staff and members who care deeply about keeping our course sustainable and our property naturally beautiful.”
- First Runner-up: Jorge Mendoza, Green River Golf Club, Corona, Calif.
- Second Runner-up: Michael Bednar, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, Pullman, Wash.
Innovative Conservation Award
Robin Sadler, MS, AGS
Mickelson National Golf Club
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Robin Sadler, a 22-year GCSAA member, is in his fifth year at Mickelson National Golf Club, which has been recognized as one of the top environmental golf courses in the world.
Sadler’s sustainable environmental initiatives include eco-friendly algae control with solar power; grass clipping separator; water management that reduces usage by 13 percent; irrigation with reclaimed water to improve turf health and lower environmental impact; biodiversity and sustainable honey harvesting; and reducing carbon and noise pollution by shifting to a lithium-powered cart fleet.
Sadler and Mickelson National Golf are spreading awareness of sustainable environmental golf with other courses and municipalities throughout Canada.
“Mickelson National Golf Club is truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” Sadler said. “We are incredibly proud to be part of an industry that values environmental responsibility, sustainable stewardship, and innovative conservation. Sustainability in golf course management is more than just a responsibility, it is an opportunity to protect our natural resources, to enhance biodiversity, and to set a precedent for future generations.”
First Runner-up: James Sua, CGCS, Pei Tou Kuo Hua Golf and Country Club, Taipei, Taiwan
Natural Resource Conservation Award
Justin Brimley
Crystal Springs Golf Course
Burlingame, Calif.
Justin Brimley is a 14-year GCSAA member who has been the superintendent at Crystal Springs for six years.
The 110-acre property is surrounded by native habitat, which supports and sustains the abundant wildlife living upon it. Brimley’s specific environmental program is set up to protect the land and has been certified with the Audubon Sanctuary Program and Habitat Control since 1998.
Conservation efforts include using technology to ensure they are not wasting water and creating more sustainable conservation areas under trees and creating more native areas to use less water.
Brimley has also created 20 acres of habitat corridors and reduced the human element in them.
This is Brimley’s second ELGA award as he was the 2022 Healthy Land Stewardship recipient. He was the second runner-up for the Natural Resource Conservation Award each of the last two years. Brimley was also the second runner-up for the Healthy Land Stewardship honor in 2015.
- First Runner-up: Patrick Parkins, TPC Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nev.
- Second Runner-up: Robert Esposo, Pacific Grove (Calif.) Golf Links
To learn more about the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, visit gcsaa.org/awards.
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