The Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association has named John F. Anderson as the first recipient of the Michael S. Hindahl Environmental Award of Excellence.

The award will be presented at the association's annual meeting at Salashan Resort and Spa on May 4.

Anderson is a 36-year superintendent who has worked at notable clubs such as Portland Golf Club, The Oregon Golf Club, Coeur d’Alene Resort and most recently Pronghorn Golf Club. He credits his parents for instilling an interest in the environment at a young age and when he worked at The Oregon Golf Club that he realized as a superintendent he could influence the environment in away that could benefit the condition of the golf course.

David Phipps, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Stone Creek Golf Club is one who benefited from Anderson's mentorship. “John helped me develop the skills I now possess as a superintendent which has enabled me to manage Stone Creek Golf Club in an environmental friendly manor” Phipps said.

The award is named after the late Michael S. Hindahl who was a friend of the Oregon Superintendents and an environmental advocate. Hindahl had a Ph.D. in microbiology and had worked for Oregon Health Science University researching AIDS. He had a passion for golf and wanted to find a way to apply his skills to the industry as a new career. He soon was helping courses by providing sieve analysis of their greens mix and he was helping them jump through regulatory issues regarding permitting processes. Hindahl helped the Oregon superintendents pioneer the OGCSA Environmental Stewardship Guidelines. The OGCSA won the 2005 GCSAA Presidents Award for Environmental Stewardship for their work with the Guidelines. Michael passed away later that year to cancer in the prime of his life.

It is the intent of the OGCSA to recognize superintendents that have shown leadership and environmental fortitude that exemplify the life of Michael S. Hindahl.