GCSAA names Donald Garrett Jr., CGCS, Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award winner

Donald Garrett Jr., CGCS, superintendent at the Walker Golf Course at Clemson (S.C.) University, is the winner of the Grassroots Ambassador Leadership (GAL) Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

Donald Garrett Jr., CGCS

The GAL Award, presented quarterly in partnership with Toro, recognizes and honors individuals who have demonstrated growth in advocacy and advancement of the GCSAA Priority Issues Agenda through congressional outreach and relationship development with a member of Congress. Through Toro, the winners receive a trip to participate in the annual National Golf Day event in Washington, D.C.

The GAL Award is part of the Grassroots Ambassador program, which matches superintendents with members of Congress to build strong relationships between them. More than 500 GCSAA members currently serve as ambassadors.

A 37-year member of GCSAA, Garrett’s advocacy experience began in the mid-1990s when he lobbied the South Carolina legislature for funding to aid Clemson’s turf program. In his fourth year of advocating with the SC Turf Foundation, Garrett helped secure $600,000 in recurring funds for Clemson annually.

As a Grassroots Ambassador, he is paired with Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-SC), with whom he has shared a copy of GCSAA’s Best Management Practices for Carolinas Golf Courses and a copy of the association’s priority issues.

“I want people to know that while government relations is not the flashiest thing, it is very important,” Garrett said. “I encourage other superintendents to respond to action alerts through the GCSAA website, such as emailing a legislator about an important bill or commenting on regulation. GCSAA does a fantastic job in providing accessible ways to advocate for the golf industry.”