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.
The nomination period for the 2026 Col. John Morley Award is now closed.
For questions, contact 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.