Superintendent of the Year for 2007 is....

[Mike Nuzzo]

http://turfnet.com/view_news.php?obj_id=91

The eight finalists for the 2007 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year Award have been announced! The award, sponsored by Club Car, is presented annually to a superintendent nominated by his or her peers, employer, club members or others who recognized an exemplary ability or effort to provide outstanding golfing conditions with whatever means available and in the face of whatever calamities or conditions encountered.

The finalists for 2007 Superintendent of the Year are:

Mark Gorga, Briarwood Country Club
Ralph Kepple, East Lake Golf Club
Fred Klauk, CGCS, TPC Sawgrass
Don Mahaffey, Wolf Point Club
Neil Mayberry, New Orleans Country Club
Anthony Williams, CGCS, Stone Mountain Golf Club
Brian Zimmerman, Milwaukee County Parks
John Zimmers, Oakmont Country Club

I've gotten to know one of the esteemed group a little better than the rest.  Congratulations Don.

[John Kavanaugh]

I love Don but I gotta pull for the guy from East Lake since he killed his greens before the award instead of the traditional year after.

[Doug Wright]

.... The award...is presented annually to a superintendent ...who recognized an exemplary ability or effort to provide outstanding golfing conditions with whatever means available and in the face of whatever calamities or conditions encountered.

Congratulations on the nomination Don, but I'm with Jaka B on this one. Unfortunately you're like all the women nominated for Best Actress in a year when Meryl Streep is a nominee.  Mr. East Lake is Meryl Streep I'm afraid.

[Joe Hancock]

Nice interview, Fellas.

[Matthew Hunt]

I take it this is only for Superintendent's from the states.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Matt --
I guess you're right - I don't recall reading any rules...
Maybe Canada?

Doug--
If you're saying Don is probably just like:

Julie Andrews
Jessica Lange
Sissy Spacek
Debra Winger
Candice Bergen
& Mariel Hemingway

I think Don could accept that...

[Jay Flemma]

Thats all great, but lets also send some props out to Pat Brockwell too!  And dave from Bethpage.

But great job everybody.  Thanks for making our rounds that much more enjoyable, instructive and adventurous.

[Jim Thompson]

This award is obviously not sponsored by Corona or it would be no contest.  Well don elads.  Its good to see the common sense crowd get some props.

[Dick Kirkpatrick]

I take it this is only for Superintendent's from the states.

http://www.golfsupers.com/Content/NavigationMenu/MemberServices/AwardPrograms/SuperintendentoftheYearAward/default.htm

[Craig Van Egmond]

Congrats to Don! Good luck to you.

[RJ_Daley]

His steadfast determination has shaved $2 million-$3 million from the project's original $6.5 million anticipated price tag ...

"He's been real, I guess the word is cheap, good about saving money where needed," ...

Congrats Don!  These accolades leads me to believe you'd be a damn good manager of just about anything.  

[Emmy]

Don:
Congratulations on making the short list. May good news continue to surround you this coming week.

[Joel_Stewart]

Just offhand, it looks like 2 of the course are public and the rest private.  Is it fair to place a public course against the likes of Oakmont or any private course?

Also, who is the nominating committee and I'll assume its the same people who pick the finalist?

Thanks

[Marty Bonnar]

'Nuzzo, who had known Mahaffey since the two met five years ago during a function at Barona Creek Golf Club near San Diego'

Don/Mike,
does this mean we have GCA to thank for this somewhat serendipitous encounter???

Enquiring minds...

FBD.

[Craig Van Egmond]

Martin,

      Yes, that would have been Kings Putter I, held in San Diego. Good fun for all.

[Mark Studer]

The votes are in and a big Congratulations to John Zimmers!!!  I have had the pleasure  to work first hand with John since we hired him in 1999.  A True Professional.  Well done.

[John Kavanaugh]

A worthy champion.  Good for him and good for people fortunate to play under his stead.

[Brad Klein]

Joel,

all nominations are made by folks in the golf industry -- members, owners, peers, assistants. The selection of the eight finalists among the nominees and of the ultimate winner (John Zimmers) is up to an editorial committee from within the TurfNet staff.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Here is a nice article about John and the SOY.

http://www.turfnet.com/view_news.php?obj_id=94

The luncheon was very nice.
The guys that Don and I mingled with were very good - John included.

Nice comments Mark - I hope you throw him a big party.
Don will be having one.

Cheers

[Tim_Weiman]

I'm happy for John Zimmers. From my experience observing him at Sand Ridge, I can't imagine a more dedicated person.

[Bill_McBride]

Don, congratulations on being one of the top 8 in an industry of over-achievers.  You guys do an incredible job under sometimes poor circumstances and often led by a green committee of nincompoops!    I truly admire the work of our supers, too often it goes unnoticed, so it's nice to see this award given annually.

Regards,
Bill

[JohnH]

Definately well deserved.  It's a shame only one gets it, as there are hundreds who provide great services to the industry.

[Jim Thompson]

Don,

To bad you didn't get the first place prize.  I here your finishing position gets a large stainless steel table looking thing.  I'm sure you can find a use for it!

Cheers!

JT













I hope whatever you were drinking just shot out your nose.  You too Nuzzo!

[Don_Mahaffey]

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes. I was surprised to receive so many notes and calls from people who I’ve worked with in the past. We supers don’t get a whole lot of public recognition and my 15 minutes was a lot of fun. And as much as it meant to me, I think it meant more to my family and those I’ve worked for, and with, in the past.

Turfnet did a nice job with the SOY marketing, luncheon and presentation and it was fun to be a part of. All the finalists were very good guys and no doubt John Zimmers is very deserving of the award. It was great to have a seat at the table as that was some fast company.

I hope Turfnet continues to promote the SOY program. When the people you work closest with take the time to send in a letter saying they think your deserving of an award like this, you’ve won no matter how it turns out. Congrats to every super (around 100) nominated this year.

JohnH, your right, there are a lot of deserving supers out there and I hope they all have the opportunity to experience what I just did at some point in their career.  

Jim, you need a shipping address?

[Matthew Hunt]

Don, may I ask  how maintanince practices very from the norm due to the low number of rounds.