Marc E. Weston, CGCS, GCSAA vice president, and Paul L. Carter, CGCS, GCSAA president, shake hands with Rhett Evans, GCSAA's CEO (center), during the opening of the 2026 Chapter Delegates meeting in Lawrence, Kan. Photos by Rafael Almeida
Tony Dierkers, CGCS Retired, is a self-described “old hand” at GCSAA’s annual Chapter Delegates meeting — this year marks his 14th time visiting the organization’s headquarters in Lawrence.
“I love it when we’re in town,” he says. “GCSAA does a great job of relaying what they’re doing at a national level and how it helps chapters, even down to individual members.”
This year, however, is slightly different. The delegates meeting, usually held near the end of October, was moved up to coincide with GCSAA’s Celebration of a Century, an event recognizing 100 years of the organization. Chapter delegates got a look at the building’s renovated lobby, which prominently features highlights of the association’s history.
“The changes are fantastic,” Dierkers says. “It’s great to see the legacy displayed like this.”
For Mitch Savage, CGCS, superintendent at CommonGround Golf Course in Aurora, Colo., this week is the culmination of six years’ worth of hard work. As part of GCSAA’s Centennial Celebration Committee task group, he and several other GCSAA members have been carefully planning the events.
“This isn’t just the fruition of everything the committee has worked on, it’s the fruition of the work of the whole association,” Savage says.
Jonathan Bennett, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Sunflower Hills Golf Course in Bonner Springs, Kan., discusses chapter issues during the 2026 Chapter Delegates meeting.
Whether it’s celebrating 100 years of GCSAA or communicating important information to members, Dierkers says, engaging with newcomers and watching them take in all the information is one of the highlights of coming here every year.
“I love talking to new attendees and seeing how much they get to realize what the national organization does for them,” he says.
Certainly, it seems first-time attendees largely feel the same way.
“It’s great to see a gathering of people looking to drive the association forward,” Colin Walsh, GCSAA Class A superintendent at The Captains Golf Course in Brewster, Mass., says. “It feels like a look behind the curtain on how everything gets done.”
“I love being with the other chapters,” Craig McKinley, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Bucks Run Golf Club in Mount Pleasant, Mich., says. “We’ve had great discussions, and it’s great to see other perspectives.”
Wednesday’s discussions covered updates on GCSAA’s marketing efforts and new initiatives, as well as ongoing advocacy, environmental stewardship and workforce development efforts. In the afternoon, chapter delegates met with candidates for director and officer positions.
This year’s candidates are Marc E. Weston, CGCS, for president; Steven J. Hammon, CGCS for vice president; H. Scott Griffith, CGCS and Gregory B. Jones, CGCS, MG, for secretary/treasurer; and Zachary Bauer, CGCS, Jeremy D. Boone, CGCS, MG, Kevin E. Collins, CGCS, Ryan S. Kraushofer, CGCS and Jacobus J. Snyman for director.
Thursday’s activities included an open house of the GCSAA headquarters and Centennial Plaza, and the unveiling of a statue of Col. John Morley, who founded GCSAA in 1926. The new statue joins the existing statue of legendary greenskeeper Old Tom Morris on Centennial Plaza.
During the dedication ceremony, Rhett Evans, GCSAA’s CEO, encouraged the many attendees representing association members, industry partners and allies to think about what had brought them there. “The answers are many, but there’s one common one,” he said. “Col. Morley knew it was all about people. Period.”
Carter and Weston unveil the statue of GCSAA founder Col. John Morley at GCSAA's headquarters in Lawrence. Photo by Abby Olcese
Those people include GCSAA’s past presidents, board members and chapter delegates, Evans said. “You’re here because you feel that the perspectives you have of your chapters in this association matters,” he said. “This community of more than 21,000 members you represent matters.”
Surrounding the Centennial Plaza is a wall of commemorative plaques with the names of those who have supported GCSAA’s Col. John Morley centennial campaign, and honoring industry figures and friends. Renee Geyer, CGCS, was on the lookout for a very special plaque — one honoring Shelia Finney, GCSAA’s former senior director of member programs, who retired earlier this year. The plaque was a gift on behalf of women in the turfgrass industry, in thanks for Finney’s career-long support of women in the turfgrass industry.
“Seeing the plaque that was donated in honor of her was so special,” Geyer, superintendent at Canterwood Golf & Country Club in Gig Harbor, Wash., says. “She is selfless, unfailingly honest, kind and caring. She taught us all to walk through our journeys in that manner. This was a small yet impactful way for her to be honored.”
The first century of GCSAA has been marked by generosity, mentorship and efforts to, in the words of the association’s mission statement, “serving its members, advancing their profession and improving communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.” The dedication ceremony summed up the fruits of that work, as Evans noted, saying Morley would be proud of what his efforts in 1926 brought about.
“100 years later, look at what his idea has become,” Evans said.
Abby Olcese is GCM's online editor.