Ingram headlines ELGA winners

Gary Ingram, CGCS, at Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, Calif., is the overall winner of the 2014 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards (ELGA) presented jointly by GCSAA and Golf Digest.

In all, 16 superintendents are being recognized at the national and regional levels for a proven commitment to environmental stewardship. The winner in the national private category is Mike Crawford, CGCS, at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga. The national resort winner is Rocky Ebelhar, assistant superintendent at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.

All the winners will formally be recognized Feb. 25 at the Opening Session of the Golf Industry Show in San Antonio. They also will be featured in upcoming issues of GCM and Golf Digest.

Ingram (pictured), director of agronomy and a 34-year member of GCSAA, is being honored for all he has accomplished on a modest budget. He trimmed annual water usage on the course by more than 17 million gallons by eliminating 18.5 acres of maintained turf and creating target greens on the pracrtice range in lieu of wall-to-wall turf. He also got high marks for adhering to written best management practices in the areas of water pollution prevention and pest management.

"It's nice to know that so many appreciate the work that you do," says Ingram, whose honor includes the national public category. "I feel lucky. I am blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference and help others in this community enjoy the golf facility."

ELGA chapter recipients for private facilities are:

Brian J. Stiehler, CGCS, Highlands (N.C.) CC, Carolinas GCSA; Marc Weston, CGCS, Indian Hills CC, Newington, Conn., Connecticut Association of GCS; Timothy Connolly, TPC, Jasna Polona, Princeton, N.J., GCSA of New Jersey; Dale Hahn, CGCS, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nev., Southern Nevada GCSA; and Sean O'Brien, The Ritz-Carlton Member's GC, Bradenton, Fla., Sun Coast GCSA.

ELGA chapter recipients for public facilities are:

Andrew J. Jorgensen, CGCS, Candler Hills GC, Ocala, Fla., Florida GCSA; Jay Neunsinger, Tilden Park GC, Berkley, Calif., GCSA of Northern California; Alex Steudermann, TPC Deere Run, Moline, Ill., Northwestern Illinois GCSA; Mark Krick, CGCS, The Homestead GC, Lakewood, Colo., Rocky Mountain GCSA; Jeff Clouthier, CGCS, Golf Courses at Incline Village (Nev.), Sierra Nevada GCSA.

ELGA chapter recipient for resort facility is:

Tom Vlach, CGCS, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., North Florida GCSA.

ELGA merit recipient for private facility is:

David Davies, CGCS, TPC Stonebrae, Hayward, Calif., GCSA of Northern California.

ELGA merit award recipient for public facility is:

Thomas Doyle, Callippe Preserve GC, Pleasanton, Calif., GCSA of Northern California.