Michael Lee, Bob Helland and Chava McKeel discuss GCSAA Government Affairs priorities for 2025 with Marc E. Weston, CGCS, GCSAA's secretary treasurer. Photo by Tyler Stover
The government affairs staff at GCSAA is in that keep on keepin’ on mode.
On Thursday during a presentation at the GCSAA Stage titled “Government Affairs Session: State of Policies and Politics in 2025 presented in partnership with AmGUARD” during the GCSAA
“A true collaboration effort. They want to partner in stewardship,” says Chava McKeel director of government affairs for GCSAA.
The EPA already has gotten involved with the government affairs’ efforts. Hunter Pates, life scientist in the Water Division at EPA’s Region 3, has attended GCSAA First Green events. “The passion for advocacy and the enthusiasm for environmental stewardship displayed by the superintendents whom I’ve met through the partnership gives me confidence for the sustainable future of this great game,” Pates wrote in GCM last year.
The GCSAA and EPA seek to provide solutions on compliance and stewardship geared toward the day-to-day of superintendents. “We’re building relationships and trust with the EPA,” McKeel says.
Meanwhile, GCSAA Director of Congressional and Federal Affairs Bob Helland continues to work with those in Washington, D.C. Helland also is intent on securing more turfgrass research funding. He also said another focus is on H-2B visas. In Nov. 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will release additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025. GCSAA has long advocated these additional visas to ensure that golf course superintendents have access to the labor needed throughout the spring of 2025.
As for what he hopes for in 2025, GCSAA Senior Manager Government Affairs Michael Lee expects GCSAA members will continue to step up to the plate and hopes more will join the effort, including the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador program. “We’ve got a very engaged membership,” Lee says, “and they understand the importance of working with legislators.”
Also at Thursday’s event, the 2025 Excellence in Government Affairs Award was presented. The GCSAA Excellence in Government Affairs Award recognizes and honors an individual, chapter or coalition/alliance that demonstrates outstanding advocacy or compliance efforts in government affairs. The honor went to Coachella Valley Golf and Water Task Force in California. GCSAA 20-year member Tyler Truman at Sun City Palm Desert in Palm Desert, Calif., has been involved with the Coachella Valley’s effort. He appreciated the honor and hopes others will do what he has done. “Get involved at your local. That’s where differences are made,” says Truman, director of agronomy and grounds.
As the year progresses, McKeel has a good feeling. “I like where we’re headed,” she says.
Howard Richman is GCM’s associate editor.