KANSAS CITY, Mo. --The Environmental Institute for Golf has named Gary N. McClung to its advisory council. He is president of Midway Ford/Sterling Truck Center in Kansas City, Mo., and becomes the 13th member of the advisory council, which is headed by Greg Norman.

McClung received a B.A. in international relations and the Russian language from UCLA in 1963, and a M.B.A. in international relations from the University of Southern California in 1969. He also served as 1st Lt. of the U.S. Army 82 nd Airborne from 1965-67.

McClung, who has been the president of Midway Ford/Sterling Truck Center since 1978, has spent his entire professional career with Ford Motor Co. and Ford Commercial Truck dealerships. Midway Ford/Sterling is the largest Ford and Sterling dealership in the country with annual revenue of $250 million. It is the perpetual winner of the annual Top 100 Volume Ford dealerships in the U.S., plus a frequent winner of Ford’s President’s Award acknowledging the country’s highest customer satisfaction results in sales and service. He has served on Ford Dealer Councils or special committees for more than 20 of his 37 years in the industry.

In 1997, McClung purchased land near Phoenix and built the nationally recognized private golf course and community of Quintero Golf and Country Club. Quintero has been recognized as the 39th best modern golf course in the U.S., and 10th best golf course community by Golfweek magazine.

McClung and his wife, Lea, split time between Lee’s Summit, Mo., and Scottsdale, Ariz. They have four children and six grandchildren.

“I believe the efficient use of water is the key to the harmony of golf with nature,” McClung said. “The Institute can help us all do even more for the environment. Greg Norman’s willingness to commit his time and energy to The Institute helps us all gain attention and support for what Mother Nature gave us.”

The purpose of the advisory council is to provide guidance to The Institute's board of trustees in the areas of outreach, fundraising and strategic planning. The members were selected to the advisory council to enhance The Institute's ability to cultivate relationships with current and potential donors, as well as communicate the importance of the work conducted by The Institute.

The other members of the advisory council are: Tom Crow, founder of Cobra Golf and a retired trustee for The Institute; Robert H. Dedman Jr., chairman of the board of ClubCorp, Inc., and chairman of ClubCorp USA, Inc.; Dana Garmany, chairman and CEO of Troon Golf; R.D. Hubbard, owner of Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, Calif.; Paul C. Kanavos, chairman and CEO of Flag Luxury Properties, LLC; Vernon A. Kelly Jr., president of PGA Tour Golf Course Properties; Owen G. Larkin, president of the Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, Mass., Jaime Ortiz-Patiño, owner of Valderrama Golf Club in Sotogrande, Spain; Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Nakheel; H. Thomas Webb III , senior vice president of residential development for Crescent Resources; Frank Weed, COO of Medallist Developments; and Weldon Wyatt, founder and CEO of Sage Valley Golf Club in Graniteville, S.C.

“Gary brings an exceptional vision and passion for the game of golf,” said Norman, chairman of the advisory council, chairman and CEO of Great White Shark Enterprises and an Institute trustee. “His commitment and dedication will be crucial to the advisory council as we advance environmental practices on the golf course.”

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.

Since 1926, GCSAA has been the leading professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 individual members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.