Chad Braun, the equipment director at Town & Country Club in St. Paul, Minn., is the winner of the 2026 Edwin Budding Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
The Edwin Budding Award, named for the inventor of the lawn mower, is given annually to an equipment manager or related innovator, technician or engineer who has made a significant impact on the golf course and turf industry.
Braun is a 13-year GCSAA member who was born in Fort Riley, Kan., but spent most of his life in Minnesota. Originally, he gained an appreciation for mechanics from his father, Ken, a member of the U.S. Army who served in Vietnam and was a tank mechanic. “He is my No. 1 mentor. He made me what I am today,” Braun says.
Before making a name in the golf industry, Braun aspired of being a fleet manager and run a public works garage for a municipality or county. He also attended a technical college. Ultimately, he has spent much of his life at golf courses, starting to Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, Minn. He was there for more than two decades. There, he would become well-known regionally and nationwide, and that continues today.
“When I got into golf, I didn’t know a lot about it. I learned,” he says. “I’m the type of person who if you want to fix something, you’ve got to learn how it functions.”
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Braun moved on to his current spot, Town & Country Club, six years ago. He’s become a familiar name in social media among equipment managers, sharing his knowledge. Braun has also been a presenter at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show.
“Chad has always been willing to share his knowledge and experience with his fellow GCSAA members, which has made a positive impact on the wider industry GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “We congratulate him on this well-deserved honor.”
In January, Braun will formally receive the award during the 2027 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans, La. When he first was told that he was named the Edwin Budding Award, Braun was taken aback. “I’m quite shocked. I know a lot of folks who received this in the past,” says Braun, “and I’m very humbled, that’s for sure.”
About GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to 21,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.
The GCSAA Foundation is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to secure funding and support to strengthen advocacy, education, and research that advances the work of golf course management professionals. Visit the Foundation at www.gcsaa.org/foundation
