GCSAA and FEGGA members selected for 2018 Ryder Cup maintenance team

Le Golf National, host of the 2018 Ryder Cup

Ten members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and 10 members of the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Association (FEGGA) have been chosen to be a part of the Ryder Cup maintenance team at Le Golf National, the host of the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris.

The opportunity was made possible through partners Martin Sternberg, CGCS, of Capillary Concrete, and Alejandro Reyes, golf courses and estates manager of Le Golf National.

The GCSAA winners were chosen from 374 eligible applications. The GCSAA selection committee consisted of current board member Jeff L. White, CGCS, (chairman) and past presidents Keith A. Ihms, CGCS, and Peter J. Grass, CGCS. Class A, B and C members who met certain work experience and membership years requirements were eligible. Winners will receive flights from New York to Paris, housing, meals, uniforms and professional development opportunities.

The 10 GCSAA winners are:

• Brian Acosta, assistant superintendent at Spanish Oaks Golf Club in Bee Cave, Texas;
• Kyle Anderson, superintendent at Edgerton Towne (Wis.) Country Club;
• Natalia Arlint, superintendent at Polson Bay (Mont.) Golf Course;
• David Eichhorn Jr., assistant superintendent at Elmcrest Country Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa;
• Jason Ellis, superintendent at Villages at Country Creek in Estero, Fla.;
• Brian Gietka, CGCS at Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown, Md.;
• Jeff Hacior, superintendent at Fort McMurray (Alberta, Canada) Golf Club;
• Steven Murphy, superintendent at Ole Miss Golf Club in Oxford, Miss.;
• Herminio Plata, assistant superintendent at Monarch Dunes Golf Course in Arroyo Grande, Calif.; and
• Ryan Walsh, superintendent at Woods Hole (Mass.) Golf Club.

The 10 FEGGA winners are:

• Abel Marius Pascariu, Assistant Greenkeeper, Golf Club Wien and member of the Austrian Greenkeepers Association;
• Jiří Lahodný, Head Greenkeeper, Prosper Golf Resort Čeladná and representing the Czech Greenkeepers Association;
• Mads Andersen, Course Manager, Søllerød Golf Club and representing the Danish Greenkeepers Association;
• Paul Marley, Assistant Head Greenkeeper, Estonian Golf and Country Club and representing the Estonian Greenkeepers Association;
• Frank Czarnietzki, Head Greenkeeper, Golf Club Maria Bildhausen and representing the German Greenkeepers Association;
• Chloe Gallagher, Assistant Greenkeeper, Gulf Harbour Country Club and representing the British & International Greenkeepers Association;
• Matija Pipan, Golf Course Superintendent, Golf & Country Club Castello di Spessa and representing the Slovenian and Italian Greenkeepers Association;
• Ciarán Byrne, Assistant Head Greenkeeper, Old Conna Golf Club Bray and representing the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland;
• Bernardo Almeida, Head Greenkeeper, West Cliffs / Praia D´el Rey Golf Club and representing the Portuguesse Greenkeepers Association; and
• Hector Forcen, Golf Course Superintendent, Golf Club Payerne and representing the Swiss Greenkeepers Association.

The 10 GCSAA and the 10 FEGGA greenkeepers will be working alongside fellow volunteers and Le Golf National staff members to showcase the best practices in the industry to provide the ultimate playing conditions for the world’s top 24 professional golfers from Europe and the USA. This trip will also combine education, networking and business relationship opportunities.

Photo: Le Golf National