Environmental Leaders in Golf Award recipients announced by GCSAA

Four golf course superintendents have been selected as recipients of the 2025 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA) by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). GCSAA and Golf Digest present the annual awards in partnership with Syngenta. The awards have recognized superintendents and golf courses worldwide for their commitment to environmental stewardship since 1993.

• The Communications and Outreach Award recognizes effective communication of conservation strategies with facility employees, golfers and other members of the community.
• The Healthy Land Stewardship Award recognizes effective strategies for efficient use of pesticides and nutrients, as well as pollution prevention.
• The Innovative Conservation Award recognizes unique and innovative strategies for conservation.
• The Natural Resource Conservation Award recognizes effective strategies for water conservation, energy conservation and sound wildlife management.

The Communications and Outreach Award winner

Kevin Goss, Sugar Creek Golf Course, Villa Park, Ill.

During his time at Sugar Creek, Goss contributed to Elmhurst Park District environmental committees in the areas of environmental policy, energy conservation, invasive species management and recycling. Goss also designs posters about local wildlife, native plants and environmental projects to keep golfers informed at the clubhouse. In 2024, the golf course completed a streambank naturalization project, which made many positive contributions to the watershed and local ecosystem.

The Healthy Land Stewardship Award winner

Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.

This is Pavonetti’s third ELGA award as he was named the Natural Resource Conservation Award recipient in 2024  and the Innovative Conservation Award recipient in 2023. He was first runner-up for the 2018 and 2019 Natural Resource Awards and the 2021 and 2022 Innovative Conservation honors.

Pavonetti says his team has become very data-driven in course management programs, and the detailed information is extremely beneficial in goals to reduce pesticide usage by 10 percent, the environmental impact of chemical programs by 25 percent, aquatic herbicides by 90 percent and irrigation by 20 percent.

The team maintains pond aeration with air diffusers and barley straw in cages at every inlet; uses infrared cameras, moisture meters and sensors to fine-tune what areas of the golf course need water; and inter-seeds newer varieties of creeping bentgrass that have better drought tolerance, disease resistance and insect resistance.

The Innovative Conservation Award winner

Robin Sadler, MS, AGS, Mickelson National Golf Club, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Sadler’s sustainable environmental initiatives include eco-friendly algae control with solar power; grass clipping separator; water management that reduces usage by 13 percent; irrigation with reclaimed water to improve turf health and lower environmental impact; biodiversity and sustainable honey harvesting; and reducing carbon and noise pollution by shifting to a lithium-powered cart fleet.

“Mickelson National Golf Club is truly honored and humbled to receive this award,” Sadler said. “We are incredibly proud to be part of an industry that values environmental responsibility, sustainable stewardship, and innovative conservation. Sustainability in golf course management is more than just a responsibility, it is an opportunity to protect our natural resources, to enhance biodiversity, and to set a precedent for future generations.”

The Natural Resource Conservation Award

Justin Brimley, Crystal Springs Golf Course, Burlingame, Calif.

The 110-acre property is surrounded by native habitat, which supports and sustains the abundant wildlife living upon it. Brimley’s specific environmental program is set up to protect the land and has been certified with the Audubon Sanctuary Program and Habitat Control since 1998. Conservation efforts include using technology to ensure they are not wasting water and creating more sustainable conservation areas under trees and creating more native areas to use less water. Brimley has also created 20 acres of habitat corridors and reduced the human element in them.

This is Brimley’s second ELGA award as he was the 2022 Healthy Land Stewardship recipient. He was the second runner-up for the Natural Resource Conservation Award each of the last two years. Brimley was also the second runner-up for the Healthy Land Stewardship honor in 2015.

---

Related Articles

Kevin Komer, CGCS, earns Excellence in Government Affairs Award from GCSAA

Eight assistant superintendents chosen for EXCEL Leadership Program