GCSAA awards Rutgers turfgrass student inaugural Larry Powell Scholarship

The Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America (GCSAA) named Travis Campbell, GCSAA member and student at Rutgers Center for Turfgrass Science, the winner of the inaugural Larry Powell Scholarship.

Travis Campbell (Photo: GCSAA)

“Growing up, I was always working on my game to become the best player I could be, but now, I work every day to gain knowledge and live up to my potential in the turf industry,” he said. “I am extremely honored to be associated with Larry Powell as the first winner of this scholarship. I thank GCSAA for creating this scholarship for underserved populations such as my own. I view it as a privilege to be a black man in the golf course turf management industry.”

As part of Campbell’s turf management curriculum at Rutgers, he completed a 10-month internship at Carmel Country Club in Charlotte, N.C., in 2022. During his internship, the GCSAA said Campbell was part of the daily conversation with the superintendents and assistant superintendents, discussing plans for what they wanted to accomplish on any given day or throughout the week. From raking bunkers to supervising the crew, Campbell said that experience gave him the chance to work in almost every job in the greens and grounds department.

Campbell’s golf industry experience also includes time as an assistant superintendent at Indian River Golf Club in West Columbia, S.C.

Once he completes his education at Rutgers, Campbell said he hopes to land a job as an assistant. Long-term, he has a goal of becoming a superintendent at a Top-100 golf course anywhere in the world.

The Powell Scholarship — established in 2022 — honors Larry Powell, a 48-year GCSAA member and golf course superintendent at Clearview Golf Course in Canton, Ohio. The scholarship focuses on individuals from underserved populations who are GCSAA members or interested in becoming a member.