The 2005 GCSAA Leo Feser Award was presented posthumously to Mike Hansen for his article, “Breaking the Glass Wall,” for the May 2005 Golf Course Management magazine.

Hansen was killed Jan. 15 in a plane crash near Hatch, Utah, at age 34. At the time of his death, Hansen was the golf course superintendent at Thanksgiving Point Golf Course in Lehi, Utah.

Hansen’s wife, Sandi, accepted the award in Hansen’s honor Friday, Feb. 10, during the General Session of the 2006 Golf Industry Show in Atlanta.

"He would have been thrilled to be here. I'm honored to be here for him," Sandi Hansen said. "And, I've tried to think about what he would say if he were here. I think he would have taken the opportunity to encourage other superintendents that if he can win this award, then anyone can do it. He also would have encouraged them to find a way for their voices to be heard to start the communication process at their own facilities to break down the glass wall."

The Leo Feser Award is given annually to the best superintendent-written article published in GCM, the association's monthly magazine. The articles are voted on by members of the Publications and Online Use and Positioning Task Group. Hansen’s article focused on how having a cooperative relationship with the others in your course’s management team has a direct influence on the success of the course. Read Hansen’s article online.

In addition to the recognition at the Golf Industry Show in Atlanta, Hansen’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is on permanent display at GCSAA headquarters.

The award honors the late Leo Feser, a pioneer golf course superintendent and a charter member of GCSAA, who is credited with keeping the association's official publication alive during the Depression.