News

Phillips wins 2015 Most Valuable Technician Award

Details: Category: Industry; Published: Tuesday, 07 July 2015 14:56; Written by press release; Hits: 4457

Lawrence, Kan. (July 7, 2015) - Cory Phillips, the equipment manager at Horseshoe Bend Country Club in Roswell, Ga., and the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta, has been selected as the recipient of the 2015 Most Valuable Technician Award, presented by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and Golf Course Management (GCM) magazine in partnership with Foley United.

Now in its sixth year, the award recognizes excellence among golf course equipment managers and the vital role they play in the golf course management industry. Equipment managers are nominated by their golf course superintendent, and a panel of industry judges narrows those nominations down to three finalists, who are then voted on by GCSAA members through the association’s website.

“GCSAA members know full well just how important a competent and professional golf course equipment technician is to the success of a golf facility,” says Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “Their decision to approve a new GCSAA membership classification for equipment managers earlier this year is proof of this, as is the annual presentation of this award. We’re honored to recognize Mr. Phillips for his long-term accomplishments in the industry and his contributions to the success of both Horseshoe Bend and the Golf Club of Georgia.”

Nominated for the Most Valuable Technician Award by Sam Welch, the GCSAA Class A director of agronomy at Horseshoe Bend and the Golf Club of Georgia, Phillips studied to be a machinist at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., but soon found he was able to apply that expertise to a career in golf, a game he had loved since childhood. In his current position, he oversees the equipment fleets at both 18-hole properties and manages mechanics that are assigned to each course.

Phillips has also been very active within the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association, serving on that chapter’s education committee and has assisted with the planning of an annual equipment managers seminar hosted by the chapter. He was also a member of the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association before that organization dissolved earlier this year, with its members joining GCSAA.

“Cory Phillips is a talented, dedicated equipment manager, and we’re proud to recognize him as this year’s Most Valuable Technician,” says Jim Letourneau, the president of Foley United. “Golf course equipment managers are our company’s primary customer, so we understand the valuable role they play in this business. It’s a privilege for us to partner with GCSAA and GCM to acknowledge and honor these individuals.”

Previous MVT Award Winners
2010 — Ramon Salas, Azusa Greens Country Club, Azusa, Calif.
2011 — Gene Pascareli, Colorado Springs Country Club
2012 — Jim Stuart, Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club by Marriott
2013 — Brian Heywood, The Valley Club, Hailey, Idaho
2014 — Joe Stefanick, Seven Lakes Golf and Tennis Community, Fort Myers, Fla.
2015 — Cory Phillips, Horseshoe Bend Country Club, Rosewell, Ga., and the Golf Club of Georgia, Alpharetta

About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’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 or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Golf Course Management magazine
Golf Course Management magazine is dedicated to advancing the golf course superintendent profession and helping GCSAA members achieve career success. To that end, GCM provides authoritative "how-to" career-oriented, technical and trend information by industry experts, researchers and golf course superintendents. By advancing the profession and members' careers, the magazine contributes to the enhancement, growth and vitality of the game of golf.

About Foley United
Foley United (www.foleyunited.com), a division of The Foley Companies, is a Minneapolis, Minn., company that for nearly 80 years has been an industry leader in the design and manufacture of sharpening equipment. Foley United grinders sold into the golf and turf industry are one of four product groups that are manufactured at the company’s River Falls, Wisc., facility.