Any GCSAA-affiliated chapter and all Class AA, A, B and C members are eligible to receive the award. A local, state or national coalition/alliance that includes representation from a GCSAA member or chapter is also eligible. Current GCSAA Board of Director members (or their immediate families) are not eligible to receive an award. GCSAA Government Affairs Committee members are eligible but cannot participate in the judging process. Individuals, chapters and coalitions/alliances may not receive the award in consecutive years.

Nominations are now closed. Any GCSAA member may submit nominations. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Those who were nominated last year, but did not receive an award, are eligible again this year.

Nominees will be judged on how their efforts best serve the interests of the golf course superintendent profession and the golf course management industry. Efforts do not have to be “successful” for a nominee to receive the award. The EGA Award may be given for:

• The creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to influence laws and regulations affecting golf course management, including but not limited to work with lawmakers, regulators, alliances, coalitions and other entities
• The creation or successful use of tools, programs or efforts to encourage member compliance with laws and regulations, including but not limited to environmental laws, occupational safety and chemical applications.

The EGA Award recipient will be selected by the GCSAA Government Affairs Committee.

The EGA Award recipient receives:

• Complimentary registration to the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show
• Recognition in GCSAA publications and websites
• Recognition at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show
• Personalized trophy and certificate of achievement
• National, regional and local publicity
• Name on a permanent plaque at GCSAA headquarters

You will receive a confirmation letter from GCSAA within two weeks of GCSAA receiving your application. The recipient will be notified in December and recognized at the following GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.

For more information contact Chava McKeel, director, government affairs, at 800-472-7878, ext. 3619.

A list of past winners from 2002 to 2025 including individuals, chapters, and alliances that have received the EGA Award.

• 2025: Coachella Valley Golf and Water Task Force
• 2024: Mitch Savage, CGCS
• 2023: Kenneth Benoit Jr., CGCS
• 2022: Cactus and Pine GCSA
• 2021: California Alliance for Golf
• 2020: Peter J. Gorman
• 2019: Robert Nielsen, CGCS
• 2018: Jack MacKenzie, CGCS
• 2017: Rory Van Poucke
• 2016: Hi-Lo Desert GCSA
• 2015: Florida GCSA
• 2014: Anthony L. Williams, CGCS
• 2013: Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents
• 2012: Jay Nalls
• 2011: P.J. McGuire, CGCS
• 2010 - Advocacy: Carolinas GCSA, Michael Crawford, CGCS
• 2010 - Compliance: Richard Gagnon
• 2009: Tim Hiers, CGCS, The Old Collier Golf Club, Naples, Fla.
• 2008 - Advocacy: Michael Maffei, CGCS; Peter McDonough; Richard Staughton, CGCS
• 2007 - Advocacy: Douglas C. Lowe, CGCS; Georgia GCSA
• 2006 - Advocacy: Michael A. Stachowski
• 2006 - Compliance: Patrick Blum
• 2005 - Advocacy: Craig A. Hoffman; Stephen A. Kealy, CGCS; Kenneth N. Lallier, CGCS
• 2005 - Compliance: Sean A. Kjemhus
• 2004 - Advocacy: Mark Esoda, CGCS; Jim Husting, CGCS
• 2004 - Compliance: Francis J. “Bud” O’Neill III, CGCS; Peter Pierson
• 2002-2003 - Advocacy: Dean Graves
• 2002-2003 - Compliance: Joe McCleary, CGCS