The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded 20, $1,500 college scholarships as part of its Legacy Awards program.

To be eligible, applicants must be a child or grandchild of a GCSAA member. The program is funded by The Environmental Institute for Golf and supported by Syngenta.

"This scholarship program is a valuable benefit of GCSAA membership," GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS, said. "With the support of The Institute and Syngenta, GCSAA is able to provide opportunities that otherwise may not have been possible."

The awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities and leadership skills. Applicants must be enrolled full time at an accredited institution of higher learning, or for high school seniors, accepted at such an institution for the next academic year.

"Since its creation by Syngenta many years ago, the Legacy Awards have always been a way for us to give back to the golf industry," Dave Ravel, Syngenta turf market lead, said. "These scholarships provide opportunity for future leaders to gain the education and experiences that will contribute to their future success. At Syngenta, we view leadership, whether individual or organizational to be a crucial resource."
2009 GCSAA Legacy Award winners

Ben Anders, University of North Carolina
Father: James Thomas Anders, assistant superintendent, Buncombe County Golf Course, Asheville, N.C.

Devan Annan, Gonzaga University
Father: Andrew Annan, CGCS, Forest Highlands Golf Course, Flagstaff, Ariz.

Lucas Brown, Grove City (Pa.) College
Father: Thomas H. Brown, CGCS, Chesapeake Bay Golf Club, Rising Sun, Md.

Courtney Browne, University of North Carolina
Father: Michael Brown, CGCS, Starmount Forest Country Club, Greensboro, N.C.

Emily Carlone, University of Rhode Island
Father: John Carlone, CGCS, The Meadow Brook Club, Jericho, N.Y.

Mary-Catherine Chambliss, Troy (Ala.) University
Grandfather: Donald J. Branch, Class A retired

Troy Darrock, Gonzaga University
Father: Brian Darrock, Class A superintendent, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.

Jade Distasio, University of Nebraska
Father: Brent Doolittle, CGCS, Shady Oaks Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas

Pamela Erickson, Iowa State University
Father: Dave Erickson, superintendent member, Eagle Valley Golf Course, Woodbury, Minn.

Helene Flaxbeard, Hastings (Neb.) College
Father: David P. Flaxbeard, Class A superintendent

Lydia Merkel, University of Nebraska
Father: Steve A. Merkel, CGCS, Landscapes Unlimited, Lincoln, Neb.

Morgan Millies, University of Wisconsin
Father: Jeffrey F. Millies, CGCS, Edgewood Golf Course, Big Bend, Wis.

Justin O'Neill, Brown University
Father: Timothy O'Neill, CGCS, Country Club of Darien (Conn.)

Justin Reiter, University of Minnesota
Grandfather: Gene Reiter (deceased)

Rachel Roth, University of North Florida
Father: Richard Roth Jr., superintendent member, Cocoa Beach Country Club, Merritt Island, Fla.

Andrew Slade, Boston College
Father: John Slade, Class A superintendent, Laurel Creek Country Club, Mount Laurel, N.J.

Megan Tadge, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Grandfather: Charles Tadge, CGCS, retired

Harleigh Warner, Clemson University
Father: Bob Warner, CGCS, Whispering Pines Golf Course, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Elizabeth Weber, George Washington University
Father: Dennis Weber, CGCS, Wynlakes Country Club, Montgomery, Ala.

Stephanie Webner, Miami University
Father: David L. Webner, Class A superintendent, Westwood Country Club, Rocky River, Ohio

Note: The title "CGCS," after a superintendent's name, stands for Certified Golf Course Superintendent, which recognizes the achievement of high standards of professionalism through education, testing and experience.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top 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 20,000 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.

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of 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 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.

Syngenta is the industry leader in creating dependable pest management solutions and growing media for professional markets. It offers more than 40 professional products and services while building optimal packages of chemistries and technology to help customers. Syngenta can be relied upon for environmentally sound products that deliver consistent performance. It offers industry-leading products for weed, insect and disease prevention and control, as well as growth regulators for the golf, lawn, ornamental and aquatic environments. Visit www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com.

For more information contact:
Mischia Wright, EIFG senior manager of development, at 785-832-4445 or mwright@gcsaa.org