Lawrence, Kansas, United States: Richard ‘Richie’ Kremer is the 2024 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Emerging Leader Award recipient.

Kremer will be honoured on February 1 during the Send Off Celebration at the 2024 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Phoenix.

The Emerging Leader Award, which is presented in partnership with John Deere, recognises an individual who serves the industry as a member of GCSAA within the following membership categories: superintendent with less than five years’ experience, student, associate or assistant, who displays continuous growth in service and leadership.

A nominee must be a member in good standing, engaged in their local chapter and/or at the national level, or at the community level, as an advocate for the profession.

Kremer completed his fourth season as the superintendent at Hop Meadow Country Club in Simsbury, Connecticut in November after spending six years in two different stints as an assistant at the course. He graduated from the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 2010.

“This is a big award for me,” Kremer said. “It shows my dedication to the industry and how I take pride in everything I do, not only on the golf course, but also at the association level. It means a lot to be recognised for something like this on a national level.”

The 37-year-old Kremer began his golf course maintenance career as an intern at Hop Meadow, while still a student at UConn. After two years as an assistant superintendent, Kremer left to be part of a landscaping company for four years. He then returned to Hop Meadow in 2016 and was promoted to superintendent in 2020.

Kremer has been very active at the chapter level where he presently serves as a board member of the Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents (CAGCS).

In addition to organising winter seminars, he has helped grow the game by being the CAGCS representative to Connecticut’s First Tee programme.

Kremer was a part of the GCSAA contingent at the 2023 National Golf Day in Washington, DC, meeting with lawmakers to discuss upcoming bills that would impact golf, while also performing service projects that helped beautify areas around national monuments.

He has volunteered with the agronomy team during tournament week of the PGA Tour’s Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands for the last three years.

“Richie represents what the Emerging Leader Award is all about,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “He is already making his mark in his chapter and community early in his career. We congratulate him and know he will continue to make a positive impact on the industry.”

Kremer said: “It is important to create connections within the industry and to be involved to help better the association and industry in general. I enjoy being involved and being a part of it.”

The involvement of everyone is key to not only making a difference in the industry, but also on a day-to-day basis on the golf course.

“Working on a golf course, I take a lot of pride in seeing the results of me and my crew’s work,” he said. “Having a dedicated crew is a huge part of the success of any golf course.”

John Deere is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.