GCSAA announces winners of 2026 Legacy Awards

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has awarded 20 college scholarships as part of its Legacy Awards program. To be eligible, applicants must be a child or grandchild of a GCSAA member. Each grant is for $1,500 and is funded by the GCSAA Foundation. 

“GCSAA remains steadfast in its mission to serve our members, in this case, by providing financial assistance to association family members seeking to further their education. We congratulate the latest GCSAA Legacy Award winners and wish them well in their academic pursuits,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. 

The awards are based on academic achievement, community involvement, extracurricular activities and leadership skills. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning, or for high school seniors, accepted at such an institution for the next academic year.

2026 GCSAA Legacy Award winners

Tyler Bauder, North Carolina State University; Jason Bauder, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, Mill Creek Golf Club, Mebane, N.C.

Sarah Berry, Anderson University; Chad Berry, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, Golden Hills Golf & Country Club, Lexington, S.C.

Preston Ellis, University of California, Berkeley; Craig Ellis, parent, Class A member, director of golf and grounds, Eldorado Country Club, Indian Wells, Calif.

Payton Freitag, Gonzaga University; David Freitag, parent, Class A member, director of agronomy, Juniper Preserve Pronghorn Club, Bend, Ore.

Graham Gobbel, Texas Christian University; Robert Wolverton, stepparent, Class A member, director of agronomy, Fall Line Golf Course, Mauk, Ga.

Juliana Holt, University of Oklahoma; Daniel Holt, CGCS, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, The Territory Golf & Country Club, Duncan, Okla.

Chloe Honaker, West Virginia University; Brian Keith Honaker, parent, Class A member, director of agronomy, Stonehaven Course at The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels, W.Va.

Lillian Honaker, West Virginia University; Brian Keith Honaker, parent, Class A member, director of agronomy, Stonehaven Course at The Resort at Glade Springs, Daniels, W.Va.

Elizabeth Hopkins, University of Georgia; Tad Hopkins, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, Fenmoor Golf Club At Reynolds Lake Oconee, Greensboro, Ga.

William Mahl, Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College; Jason Mahl, parent, Class A member, City of Savannah director of park and tree department, Savannah, Ga.

Matthew Nesheim, Purdue University; Michael Matchen, grandparent, Class AA member

Landyn Schraer, The Ohio State University; Scott Schraer, parent, Class AA member, research station manager, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Delaware, Ohio

Joseph Schurman, University of Nebraska – Lincoln; Scott Schurman, parent, Class ART member, Southern Hills Country Club, Tulsa, Okla.

Ashlyn Sexton, Murray State University; Jeffrey Sexton, CGCS, parent, Class A member, Evansville (Ind.) Country Club

Hastings Smith, College of Charleston; Theodore R. Smith III, parent, Class A member, director of agronomy, Cape Fear Country Club, Wilmington, N.C.

Audrey Snowden, Western Carolina University; Ryan Snowden, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, Burlingame Country Club, Sapphire, N.C.

Gavin Trout, Clemson University, Turfgrass; David Trout, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, DiamondBack at Woodland Valley, Loris, S.C.

Ella Waddle, Drake University; Brandon Waddle, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, Lake Panorama National Golf Course, Panora, Iowa

Anneliese Yanez, University of California – Davis; David Yanez, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, Calif.

Ines Yanez, Stanford University, Environmental Engineering, David Yanez, parent, Class A member, golf course superintendent, The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, Calif.

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 20,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.

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.