USGA awards E.J. Marshall Platter to Pebble Beach Superintendent for US Women’s Open work

The USGA presented Bubba Wright, Pebble Beach Golf Links’ superintendent, with the E.J. Marshall Platter at the conclusion of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Championship.

The award — first given to Dave Johnson, director of grounds at The Country Club — recognizes leaders in golf course management who demonstrate commitment, expertise and collaboration with the USGA.

The USGA also recognized Wright’s crew during an 18th green ceremony. This is the first time the USGA presented the platter to multiple superintendents in a single year. The association awarded Chris Wilson of Los Angeles Country Club last month. This was also the first time the USGA awarded the platter at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Photo: USGA

Wright, a five-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and native of Coarsegold, Calif., is in his ninth year at Pebble Beach – having previously served as an assistant superintendent at The Links at Spanish Bay and at TPC Scottsdale (Ariz.). In collaboration with his team, Wright worked together with the USGA’s senior director of championship agronomy, Darin Bevard, over the last year to ready the 6,505-yard, par-72 course for the championship.

“I’m excited to have another first at Pebble Beach this year – the first time we’ve hosted the U.S. Women’s Open here and now the first time we’ve awarded two E.J. Marshall Platters in one championship season,” said Mike Whan, CEO of USGA. “As we’ve prepared the course for this historic championship, Bubba and his entire team have demonstrated excellence in their profession and their contributions are worthy of this highest recognition.”