Steve Hackmann has been honored with the 2009 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Leo Feser Award for his article, "Better safe than sorry," which appeared in the April 2009 issue of Golf Course Management magazine.

Hackmann is a 14-year GCSAA member and Class A superintendent at Pryor Creek Golf Club in Huntley, Mont. His article deals with the club's safety program and how such a program needs to change with the times.

The Leo Feser Award is given annually to the best superintendent-written article published in GCM, the association's monthly magazine. The award winner is selected by members of GCSAA's Strategic Communications Committee. Hackmann will receive the award at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference Feb. 9 during Celebrate GCSAA! presented in partnership with Syngenta. Formerly the Opening Session and Welcoming Reception, Celebrate GCSAA! is hosted by GCSAA President Mark D. Kuhns, CGCS. The conference (Feb. 8-12) will be held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show (Feb. 10-11) at the San Diego Convention Center.

"Steve's article does a great job of sharing how to get staff more involved with workplace safety education, an issue relevant to every single superintendent," Kuhns said. "With his writing style he was able to convey the importance of the topic with personal examples and made an otherwise routine subject very interesting."

As the Feser Award winner, Hackmann will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show. Also, in addition to the recognition at the conference, Hackmann's name will be engraved on a plaque that is on permanent display at GCSAA headquarters.

The Feser Award honors the late Leo Feser, a pioneer golf course superintendent and a charter member of GCSAA. Feser is credited with keeping the association's official publication alive during the Great Depression. For three years (1933-36), he wrote, edited, assembled and published each issue of The Greenkeepers' Report (as the association's magazine was called then) from his home in Wayzata, Minn. The award was first presented in 1956 and has been given annually since 1977.

Golf Course Management is the leading publication for golf course managers. It has a circulation of nearly 30,000 and is delivered to every golf facility in the United States.

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. The association's philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts.

For more information contact:
Ed Hiscock, editor in chief, Golf Course Management, at ehiscock@gcsaa.org or 800-472-7878