A dozen golf course superintendents and six equipment managers will be able to attend the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show thanks to funding from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.
The foundation was founded by the late Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of Toro Co. The Melrose Leadership Academy was established in 2012 followed in 2019 by the establishment of the Melrose Equipment Management Experience. Both programs provide ongoing education, professional development, networking and educational opportunities for superintendents and equipment managers that includes sending a select few to the show scheduled for Feb. 2-5 in Orlando.
The members of the 2026 Melrose Leadership Academy are:
- Daryck Beetham, NorthStone Country Club, Huntersville, South Carolina
- Michael Benton, Uncle Remus Golf Course, Madison, Georgia
- Alex Blegen, Brentwood Country Club, South Pasadena, California
- Grant Carque, Cypress Lakes Golf Course, Lake Worth Beach, Florida
- Benjamin Clark, Dublin Lake Club, Harrisville, New Hampshire
- Roy Crow, Woodland Hills Country Club, Woodland Hills, California
- Andrew Kisner VI, CGCS, The Villages Florida, Ocala, Florida
- Jeremiah Mincey, Black Diamond Ranch, Spring Hill, Florida
- Jason Overmyer, Cascades Golf Course, Jackson, Michigan
- Jason Robert, Thanksgiving Point Golf Course, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Casey Sheehan, Sugarloaf Golf Course, Shavertown, Pennsylvania
- Brett Zembower, Kempsville Green Golf Course, Virginia Beach, Virginia
The members of the 2026 Melrose Equipment Management Experience are:
- Mario Delgado, The Club at Rolling Hills, Golden, Colorado
- Adam Lennington, Halbert National, Granbury, Texas
- Ian Naus, Spring Hill Golf Club, Golden Valley, Minnesota
- Joshua Schaefer, Wisconsin Country Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Colin Smith, Prestwick Golf Club, Ayr, Scotland
- Andrzej Strzepek, Belmont Country Club, Belmont, Massachusetts
Participants in both Melrose programs are chosen through an application process based on financial need, involvement in communities through volunteer efforts and a drive to progress in their careers. Twelve superintendents were chosen for the 2026 Melrose Leadership Academy, and six equipment managers were chosen for the Melrose Equipment Management Experience.
In other association news, the GCSAA has improved the process to enable golf course superintendents to efficiently create a facility BMP manual.
The enhanced BMP tool is easier to use, is mobile-friendly and has fewer steps to completion. The tool's upgrades allow superintendents to better tell their story, manage risk and get personalized support from the experts at GCSAA. More improvements to the tool will roll out in 2026.
The creation of facility BMPs is part of GCSAA's BMP Initiative, which began in 2017. By the end of 2020, BMP guidelines had been established in all 50 states. These state guidelines provide the blueprint for facility manuals and cover key areas such as water management, integrated pest management and pollinator protection.
BMPs open doors for discussions and input by the industry and provide proof of science-based practices and responsible course management.