John Gosselin has had a great deal of tournament experience throughout his career as a golf course superintendent.
For his many years of experience and contributions to the golf tur maintenance industry, Gosselin (right) has been named the recipient of the Eberhard Steiniger Award. The award is presented by the Philadelphia Association of Golf Course Superintendents to someone in the turfgrass profession "who exemplifies the spirit and legacy of Eberhard Steiniger, CGCS."
The superintendent at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Gosselin and his team will host the 2026 PGA Championship. Aronimink also was the host site of the 2020 KPMG Women's PGA Championship. Gosselin also had plenty of PGA Tour and LPGA tournament experience during his time as superintendent at DuPont Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware.
"He is and has always been the subtle innovator in our industry and a revered figure of the PAGCS," Patrick Michener of Biderman Golf Club and a former assistant to Gosselin at Aronimink, said in a news release. "His vast success as a Superintendent is matched only by his passion for the game of golf. As a mentor to so many, he instills a quiet confidence in all of us that prioritizes course playability, building sound relationships, and strong leadership principles."
Eb Steiniger was an advocate for the game of golf and the superintendent profession, who was known for
his innovative research, mentoring others and professional leadership. Steiniger, who died in 2002, was president of the PAGCS in 1966-67.
A native of Schleiz, Germany, Steiniger was superintendent at Pine Valley for more than 50 years and was named an honorary member after his retirement. He died in 2002 at age 96. He was dedicated to his profession, serving as president of the Pennsylvania superintendent's association and the Pennsylvania Turf Council. His experience also included serving as director of the H. Burton Musser Foundation and served on the board for the Rutgers University Turfgrass Advisory Board and the O.J. Noer Turf Research Council. He was chairman of the Joseph Valentine Memorial Research Center and was instrumental in the invention and testing of many pieces of turfgrass equipment.
Gosselin will be presented with the award during the PAGCS centennial meeting Oct. 30 at Union League Liberty Hill in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania. Other winners of the Steiniger award include former superintendents Matt Shaffer, Jerred Golden and Richie Valentine, Tom Watschke, Ph.D., of Penn State and former USGA Green Section agronomist Stan Zontek.