Photo by Montana Pritchard
Two programs based on gifts from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation — the Melrose Leadership Academy and the Melrose Equipment Management Experience — will send 22 GCSAA members to the 2020 Golf Industry Show, Jan. 25-30, in Orlando, Fla.
The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the professional development of GCSAA-member golf course superintendents. It is administered through the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), the philanthropic organization of GCSAA. The program was established in 2012 by Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Co., and is supported by a $1 million gift to the EIFG from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
Academy members are chosen through an application process based on financial need, volunteerism and a drive to advance their careers. The new class includes 17 members who will participate in networking and leadership activities as well as attend a variety of education seminars at the Golf Industry Show.
Melrose Leadership Academy 2020 class
Stephen Bailey
North Hills Municipal Golf Course
Corry, Pa.
Paul Bonini, CGCS
Watertown Golf Club
Watertown, Conn.
Michael Brownsberger
Deer Island Country Club
Tavares, Fla.
Bryce Burton
Star Valley View Golf Course
Afton, Wyo.
Ben Ellis
Paint Branch Golf Course
College Park, Md.
Matthew Guilfoil
Desert Canyon Golf Club
Fountain Hills, Ariz.
Adam Hoffman
Sunset Hills Country Club
Carrollton, Ga.
John Jacob
Deerfield Golf Club
Newark, Del.
Chad Malone
Moccasin Bend Golf Club
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Darrell Marcinek, CGCS
Somerset County Park Commission
Neshanic Station, N.J.
David Moffett
Mosholu Golf Course
Bronx, N.Y.
Michael Murphy
Robert T. Lynch Municipal Golf Course
Brookline, Mass.
Steven Phillips
Pine Meadows Golf Course
Lewistown, Mont.
Paul Schnell
Lake Shore Country Club
Erie, Pa.
Todd Six
On Top of the World
Clearwater, Fla.
Louise Valdez
North Ranch Country Club
Westlake Village, Calif.
Joel Wiener
Antelope Hills Golf Course
Dubois, Wyo.
The Melrose Equipment Management Experience brings GCSAA-member equipment managers to the Golf Industry Show for professional development and continuing education. The Melrose Equipment Management Experience was established in 2019 and is supported by a $1 million gift to the EIFG. Five equipment managers were chosen for the inaugural class.
Melrose Equipment Management Experience 2020 class
Scott T. Fowler
Hampshire Green Golf Course
Ashton, Md.
Clinton McKee
Mountain Top Golf Course and Payne’s Valley by Tiger Woods
Hollister, Mo.
Justin W. Prescott
Kenosha Country Club
Kenosha, Wis.
Matt Radatz
Hawks Landing Golf Club
Verona, Wis.
Angel Rodriguez
Valley of the Eagles Golf Club
Elyria, Ohio
“More than 100 golf course superintendents have benefited from the professional development of the Melrose Leadership Academy since its inception,” says GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “And now our equipment manager members have a similar opportunity thanks to the benevolence of our good friend Ken Melrose, whose dedication to the industry is truly inspirational.”
The Melrose Family Foundation is supported by Ken Melrose, who retired as CEO of The Toro Co. in 2005 and from the chairman position in 2006. That same year, Melrose formed Leading by Serving LLC, a company whose mission is to advance the principles of servant leadership in business organizations.