Col. John Morley Award
The Pinnacle Award for GCSAA members, the Col. John Morley Award is presented annually to an individual/group (singular award) who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the golf course superintendent's profession. The contribution must be significant in both substance and duration, and may be, or have been, regional in nature.
Individuals must be nominated by a GCSAA member, an affiliated chapter or a qualified golf association. Nominees for the Col. John Morley Award must currently be, or have been, a Class A or Class B member of GCSAA. The nominee must not have been a recipient of the award.
The GCSAA Board of Directors selects the recipients of the Col. John Morley Award during its summer board meeting. The award is presented during the annual GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.
Nominations for the 2026 Col. John Morley Award are open through June 10.
Submit a Col. John Morley Award nomination ยป
Letters of support and additional materials not already submitted may be addressed to the GCSAA Board of Directors and sent to Jackie Groll, manager, executive operations. Contact Jackie Groll by email at jgroll@gcsaa.org, by phone at 785-832-4410, or by mail to GCSAA, 1421 Research Park Dr., Lawrence, KS 66049-3859.
Prior to 2022 award year, the Col. John Morley Award was known as the Distinguished Service Award (DSAs), and was open to both GCSAA member superintendents and wider industry members. Past winners of the DSAs are not eligible for nomination for the Col. John Morley Award.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
- John H. Foy
- Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS
2019
- Edward Horton, CGCS
- Tamas Tanto
2018
- Leah Brilman, Ph.D.
- Richard Latin, Ph.D.
2017
- Nick Christians, Ph.D.
- Patricia Vittum, Ph.D.
- Brent Wadsworth
2016
- David Fearis, CGCS
- Paul McGinnis, CGCS
- Al Turgeon, Ph.D.
2015
- Melvin B. Lucas, CGCS
- Cal Roth
2014
- Stephen G. Cadenelli, CGCS
- Bruce Clarke, Ph.D.
- S. Bruce Martin, Ph.D.
2013
- Frank Lamphier
- Ken Mangum, CGCS
- Dennis Lyon, CGCS
- Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D.
2012
2011
2010
- Robert A. Dickison, CGCS
- James C. Husting, CGCS
- Douglas W. Petersan
2009
- Mark Esoda, CGCS
- George Hamilton, Ph.D.
- Monroe Miller
2008
- Donald Hearn, CGCS
- H. James "Jim" Loke, CGCS
- Oscar Miles, CGCS
2007
- Stanley E. Metsker, CGCS
- William A. Meyer, Ph.D.
2006
- Thomas W. Cook, Ph.D.
- Stanley J. Zontek
2005
- William G. Fielder, CGCS
- Tommy D. Witt, CGCS
2004
- Gordon LaFontaine
- Danny H. Quast, CGCS
- Gordon C. Witteveen
2003
- Robert D. Emmons
- Joel D. Jackson, CGCS
- Dudley H. Smithn
2002
- Houston B. Couch, Ph.D.
- William F. Ploetz
- Bruce R. Williams, CGCS
2001
- Euel Coats, Ph.D.
- L.W. "Sonny" Dubose Jr., CGCS
2000
- Michael R. Bavier, CGCS
- Gary T. Grigg, CGCS, MG
- George B. Thompson, CGCS
1999
- Anthony B. Caranci Jr.
- Dan Jones, CGCS
- Palmer Maples Jr., CGCS
1998
1997
- Gerald L. Faubel, CGCS
- Dr. J.M. Vargas Jr.
- Dr. Coleman Y. Ward
1996
- Randy Nichols, CGCS
- Dr. Paul Rieke
1995
- Dr. Milton Engelke
- Dr. Ali Harivandi
- Dr. Michael Hurdzan
1994
- Allan MacCurrach
- John J. Spodnik
1993
- Dr. James B. Beard
- Dr. Victor Gibeault
1992
- George M. Kozelnicky
- C.E. "Tuck" Tate, CGCS
1991
- Dr. Noel Jackson
- W. Bruce Matthews
- Dr. Eliot C. Roberts
1990
- William Bengeyfield
- Dr. Thomas Watschke
1989
- James W. Brandt, CGCS
- Dr. C. Richard Skogley
1988
- Dr. Jack Butler
- William B. Davis
- Dr. Kenyon Payne
- Eberhard Steiniger, CGCS
1987
- David S. Gourlay Sr.
- Dr. James R. Love
1986
- Andrew Bertoni
- John B. Steel, CGCS
- Howard Kaerwer
- Chester Mendenhall
1985
- James L. Blackledge
- William C. Campbell
- Clifford A. Wagoner, CGCS
1984
- Warren A. Bidwell
- Keith Nisbet
1983
- James B. Moncrief
- Dr. Joseph Troll
- Dr. James R. Watson
1982
- Milton J. Bauman
- Sherwood A. Moore, CGCS
- Alexander M. Radko
- Ben O. Warren Jr.
1981
- Geoffrey S. Cornish
- Dr. Ralph Engel
- Hans C. Schmiesser
1980
- Manuel L. Francis
- Dr. John Madison
1979
1978
- Dr. Roy L. Goss
- Dr. John C. Harper II
- Arthur A. Snyder
1977
- Harold W. Stodola
- Paul E. Weiss Sr.
- Robert M. Williams
1976
- Dr. Joseph M. Duich
- Leo J. Feser
- Thomas C. Mascaro
1975
- Dr. William H. Daniel
- Raymond H. Gerber
- Dr. Fred V. Grau
1973
1964
1961
- Dr. Jesse H. DeFrance
- Eugene B. Marzolf
- James Smith
1960
- Joseph C. Dey Jr.
- Helen F. Lengfield
- Oyvind J. Noer
1959
- Dr. John Monteith
- Oyvind J. Noer
- Richard S. Tufts
1958
- Dr. Glenn Burton
- Professor L. F. Dickinson
- Malcom R. McLaren
- Professor H. Burton Musser
- Joseph Valentine
1957
- Thomas Dawson Jr.
- Herbert Graffis
1954
1952
1941
- Frank W. Ermer
- William H. Johnson
1940
1935
1932
