ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION

Gourlay Wins Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award

Matt Gourlay low
Matt Gourlay.

Lawrence, Kansas, United States: Matt Gourlay, Director of Golf Course Management at Colbert Hills Golf Course, has been named the 2021 Q2 Grassroots Ambassador Leadership (GAL) Award winner from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

The Grassroots Ambassador Leadership Award, presented quarterly in partnership with The Toro Company, recognises and honours 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.

The winners will receive a trip to take part in the 2022 National Golf Day in Washington, DC, courtesy of Toro, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“We are grateful for Matt’s on-going efforts as a representative for the golf course management industry,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “His dedication to bettering not only his home course at Kansas State University but also golf courses on a national level and the golf industry are deserving of recognition. Congratulations to him for this honour.”

The GAL Award is part of the Grassroots Ambassador programme, which matches superintendents with members of Congress to build strong relationships between them. More than 470 GCSAA members currently serve as ambassadors.

An 18-year member of GCSAA, Gourley, CGCS, MG, joined the Grassroots Ambassadors programme in the summer of 2015. In his role as an ambassador, Gourlay is currently paired with Congressman Tracey Mann (R-KS) and has been active with multiple members of the Kansas congressional delegation.

Gourley has also been recognised by GCSAA as a repeat winner in the association’s Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.

In 2017, he had the honour of representing the industry as a stop on Senator Jerry Moran’s annual Conservation Tour, which was a visit full of firsts. Colbert Hills, in Manhattan, Kansas, marked the first stop on the statewide journey. After 12 years of holding the tour, it was the first time Moran had included a golf course as one of the sites.

“I was able to lead a presentation that demonstrated the connection between golf course management and agriculture and how our industry benefits the community,” Gourlay said.

“Senator Moran described the visit as ‘very enlightening’, saying, ‘the issues facing farmers and ranchers are very much the same as those facing golf course superintendents’.”

Since that visit, Senator Moran has expressed interest in once again including a Kansas golf course on future conservation tours.

Another ambassador highlight includes providing testimony outlining the environmental stewardship of the industry at a Waters of the United States field hearing held by the EPA and the US Army Corps of Engineers in 2019 in Kansas City.

Gourlay said: “Clearly, the Grassroots Ambassador programme has allowed me many opportunities to represent the industry and share the countless benefits that golf courses offer their communities and states.

“I’m thankful not only to be a Grassroots Ambassador but to have such a dedicated group of individuals that make it possible, including my team at Colbert Hills, my family and GCSAA.”

Share with your Friends

View More Articles

Smartscore Joins Forces with Meissa

Smartscore Joins Forces with Meissa

Posted on December 21, 2023
Seoul, Korea: Smartscore and Meissa Group have announced an alliance aimed at ‘revolutionising the international golf in...
Sizzling Summer Deals at VGC Clubs

Sizzling Summer Deals at VGC Clubs

Posted on June 20, 2024
Danang, Vietnam: Laguna Golf Lang Co is among the Vietnam Golf Coast clubs that are turning up the heat this summer with...

About AGIF

The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all facets of the golf industry across Asia. Our members and partners involved in to advance sustainable practices and drive the industry’s growth. Join us in taking the next step towards a sustainable industry.

Contact

Asian Golf Industry Federation
3 Coleman Street,
#04-35 Peninsula Shopping Complex,
Singapore 179804
Chief Communications Officer
communications@agif.asia
Greenkeeping Education Manager
pkong@agif.asia
Membership & Administration Manager
membership@agif.asia

Connect With AGIF

Copyright © 2023 Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Asian Golf Industry Federation