For crew members seeking grassroots education in golf course management science and principles, the GCSAA recently launched its Greenkeeper Certificate program.
The entry-level program is part of the GCSAA's workforce development initiative.
To earn the certificate, crew members must successfully complete six webinars, pass an exam and demonstrate proficiency in turfgrass prep and maintenance, equipment use and safety, teamwork, communication and golf course etiquette.
"Labor continues to be a top challenge for the golf course management industry, and GCSAA is committed to helping our members find, train and retain qualified crew members," said GCSAA chief executive officer Rhett Evans. "The Greenkeeper Certificate program offers the opportunity to train crew and recognize high performers, which we hope will encourage them to continue along a career path in the industry."
Key concepts of the entry-level instruction program are:
- Turfgrass prep and maintenance
- Equipment use and safety
- Teamwork, communication, golf course etiquette
- Webinar instruction, an exam and skills demonstration
- No time limit to complete the program
Click here for more information, or to register.
In other news, Steven Spatafore, (right) director of agronomy at Los Altos (California) Golf and Country Club, has been named the recipient of the GCSAA's 2026 Emerging Leader Award.
The award recognizes an individual "who serves the industry as a superintendent with less than five years of experience" or a student or assistant superintendent "who displays continuous growth in service and leadership".
Spatafore interned at Valhalla, Cypress Point and Pasatiempo. After graduation from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he spent one year as an assistant-in-training at Pebble Beach and as an assistant superintendent at Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill, California.
He was promoted to superintendent at Contra Costa in September 2020 and served in that position until June of 2025 when he was named as the director of agronomy at Los Altos Golf and Country Club.
A past president of the Northern California GCSA chapter, Spatafore serves as a mentor for associates just as former supervisors did for him. He is active in the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador program, Government Affairs Committee and PAC Board and has participated in meetings with members of Congress and their surrogates during the past two editions of National Golf Day.
Spatafore will receive the award during the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in February in Orlando.