GCSAA names Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award winner

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) named Chris Cook, superintendent at Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso, Okla., a Grassroots Ambassador Leadership (GAL) Award winner.

The Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, presented quarterly in partnership with The Toro Co., 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 will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to take part in the 2021 National Golf Day in Washington, D.C.

“Congratulations to Chris for his hard work and dedication to the golf industry,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “He is a great example of how ambassadors work to educate lawmakers and their staff members on the benefits of golf, and that is making a difference.”

The GAL Award is part of the GCSAA Grassroots Ambassadors program, which pairs GCSAA members with members of Congress to build strong relationships between them. More than 450 GCSAA members currently serve as ambassadors.

“To advocate for our industry most effectively we must first educate legislators and staffers on what a golf course superintendent is, exactly,” Cook said. “Education has allowed me to provide legislators with a clear understanding of the work performed by men and women in the golf course management industry and why they are deserving of Congressional support.”

To learn more about Cook, check out our 19th Hole interview in the September 2020 issue of Golfdom.