GCSAA names Brian Seltzer as the 2026 Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award recipient

Brian Seltzer, a student at Penn State University and a two-year GCSAA member, received the 2026 Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award, which includes a $10,000 scholarship, through the GCSAA Foundation. He will also attend the 2027 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans.

Seltzer’s interest in golf course management started began in his childhood years, after watching a maintenance team prepare an entire property before sunrise. He spent summers working at local golf courses and found he enjoyed creating quality playing conditions just as much as he enjoyed playing the game itself. His fascination for golf course management has since developed into a career path. 

Before attending Penn State University, Seltzer earned a degree in mathematics and economics at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. During that time, he worked part time as a greenskeeper at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, N.H. After working different jobs outside of the industry, Seltzer returned with an internship at Denver Country Club, where he expanded his understanding of the profession and what it takes to lead a team and manage course operations..

“One of the things I value most about this profession is the people and the tight-knit network. Being involved with GCSAA has shown me how willing superintendents are to share knowledge and support the next generation,” Seltzer said. “I’m excited to continue learning from those around me and hope to one day give back by mentoring others entering the industry.”

Seltzer is a turfgrass intern at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Mass., the same golf course where Allan MacCurrach Jr., the namesake of this award, was introduced to the game as a caddie.

“Receiving the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award is a tremendous honor because it represents recognition from an industry that I care deeply about and hope to spend my career serving,” Seltzer said. “It’s especially meaningful knowing it comes from leaders and professionals who understand the hard work, dedication and passion required to pursue a career in golf course turf management. I’d like to thank John Kaminski, Ph.D., at Penn State, and everyone who has taken the time to teach, encourage and invest in me along the way.”

Previously part of the GCSAA Scholars Competition, the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award was restructured in 2021 as a stand-alone award to recognize an outstanding nontraditional student pursuing a career in the field of golf course and turfgrass management. Applicants must be majoring in a field related to golf course management, planning a career as a superintendent or related profession, be at least 23 years old and a GCSAA member to be eligible.

The Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award is funded by Allan MacCurrach III and the PGA Tour and is named in honor of the late Allan MacCurrach Jr. He became the PGA Tour’s first staff agronomist in 1974 and received the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award in 1994. A GCSAA member for 31 years, he was also one of the first to become a certified golf course superintendent.

MacCurrach Jr. discovered his passion for turf after he had a wife, a child and another degree in accounting, and he lived the struggle of trying to obtain a second degree while managing significant responsibilities. His unconventional professional path later inspired the creation of the Allan MacCurrach Jr. Award to help others on similar career paths.