Throughout his career, Todd Draffen, director of agronomy at The Old Collier Golf Club in Naples, Florida, has diligently worked to help regulators and lawmakers understand the stewardship efforts of golf course superintendents.
For more than 20 years, Old Collier has been a regular stop on the annual Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Tour. Coordinated by the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the tour gives those who write regulations controlling water, crop-protection chemicals, food safety and the agricultural workforce an opportunity to see production practices in person.
Recently, the Florida GCSA recognized Draffen's efforts by honoring him with its Distinguished Service Award. The annual award recognizes a Florida GCSA member who has performed outstanding achievements as a golf course superintendent and who has given his time unselfishly in promoting golf course management and the association. Draffen (right) received his award at the association's annual meeting in August at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
"Golf course superintendents are committed to environmental stewardship and Todd is a prime case in point," Florida GCSA executive director Jennifer Bryan said. "Better still, he goes above and beyond each year, taking key decision-makers behind the curtains if you like, to let them see, hear and touch a golf course maintenance operation first-hand."
Draffen has led the tour for more than a dozen years. During each visit, dozens of representatives from federal and state agencies that monitor and create policies affecting agriculture tour the golf course and maintenance facility. Superintendents from neighboring facilities are called upon to assist with providing information and answering questions.
Draffen remains humble about his efforts and contributions.
"I would love to say it has helped," he said in a news release. "But I don't ever see regulations being changed just because of the visits we host. Still, I do think there is more communication now. I get emails and questions. So, at least I know we've touched some people, and they are thinking about real world implications rather than just sitting behind a desk and writing decisions without any idea of what a golf course is about."
Old Collier is a Tom Fazio design that opened in 2001. It comprises about 80 acres of maintained turf among another 190 acres of mangrove and wildlife habitat. Golf Digest named Old Collier one of the country's "most important" golf courses of the 2000s because of its conversion to seashore paspalum. Old Collier also holds the distinction of being the first Audubon International Certified Gold Signature Sanctuary.
A protege of Tim Hiers, CGCS, Draffen started at Old Collier in 2000 before leaving for a new course construction in 2007. He returned to Old Collier in 2015.
"Doing what's right for the environment really doesn't cost a lot of money," Draffen said at this year's tour in March. "We'll never know for sure what impact these tours have but the goal is to have an open line of communication. We want to know that decisions are being made with the best information instead of someone just sitting in Tallahassee or Washington making rules without truly understanding their impact."
After this year's tour, Michael Aerts, vice president; science and regulatory affairs for the FFVA, wrote: "Participants were impressed with the knowledge, professionalism, and efficiency in which golf course systems are run in Florida.
"There are so many scientific disciplines that go into managing a golf course, and our hosts did a tremendous job explaining all of these aspects. . . . Surprisingly, the depth of knowledge and applied sciences possessed by the presenters, and the fruits of their labors are impressive. . . . This is an important stop because of so many misconceptions about golf courses."
Past winners of the award are: 1985 - William Wagner - Tequesta CC; 1986 Tim Hiers - Johns Island Club; 1987 - Dan Jones, CGCS - Banyan CC; 1988 - Mark Jarrell, CGCS - Palm Beach National CC; 1989 - Tom Burrows, CGCS - Turtle Creek; 1990 - Kevin Downing, CGCS - Wiloughby GC; 1991 - Cecil Johnston, CGCS – Thailand; 1992 - Joel Jackson, CGCS – Osprey Ridge; 1993 - Fred Klauk, CGCS - TPC-Sawgrass; 1994 - Ray Hansen - Delaire CC; 1995 - Tom Benefield CGCS; 1996 - Paul Crawford - Palm Beach CC; 1997 - Gary Grigg, CGCS - Royal Poinciana GC; 1998 - Scott Bell - Bent Pine GC; 1999 - Dale Kuehner, CGCS - Colony West; 2000 - Joseph Ondo, CGCS - Winter Pines; 2001 - Dick Blake, CGCS – Retired; 2002 - Bob Sanderson, CGCS - Retired; 2003 - Michael Perham - Jonathans Landing; 2004 - Darren Davis - Olde Florida GC; 2005 - David Court, CGCS - Boca Lago G&CC; 2006 - Alan Weitzel - Metro Dade County; 2007 - Greg Pheneger - Johns Island Club; 2008 - Joe Pantaleo - Indian Creek CC; 2009 - Craig Weyandt - The Moorings Club; 2010 - Matthew Taylor, CGCS - Royal Poinciana GC; 2011 - Shane Bass, CGCS; 2012 - Bill Kistler - One Source at Roger's Park; 2013 - Mark Kann - University of Florida, PSREU; 2015 - Kevin Sunderman – Isla Del Sol Yacht & CC; 2018 - Ricky Reeves - Miami Beach Golf Club; 2020 - David Dore-Smith - Copperleaf Golf Club; 2021 - John Curran; 2022 - Nick Kearns; 2023 - Steve Wright, CGCS (Posthumous); 2024 - Andy Jorgensen, CGCS - On Top of The World.