Melrose Leadership Academy names 2016 class

Kevin Collins’ life has come full circle. He was teenage golfer at Tradition Golf Club in Wallingford (Conn.) when he was offered the opportunity to work on the course’s maintenance crew. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, Collins is the golf course superintendent at Tradition GC and works with the local high school’s vocational education students to show them career options in the golf industry. Some of those students have joined his maintenance staff.

It’s this dedication to his community that helped Collins earn a spot in the Environmental Institute for Golf’s 2016 Melrose Leadership Academy. The EIFG is the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

Academy members were chosen through an application process based on financial need, volunteerism and drive to advance their careers. The new class will participate in networking and leadership activities, as well as attend a variety of education seminars.

The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the professional development of GCSAA member superintendents by providing the opportunity to attend the Golf Industry Show. The program was established in 2012 by Ken Melrose, retired CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Co., and is supported by a $1 million gift to the EIFG from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.

“We are so fortunate to have a friend of the industry like Ken Melrose. The Melrose Leadership Academy gives GCSAA members the chance to continue to learn and grow in their careers, which benefits the whole industry,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Academy members have shown that they are dedicated to enhancing their knowledge base and serving their profession. I congratulate each of them for this recognition of their hard work.”

Melrose’s relationship with the golf industry is longstanding. He joined the Toro Co. in 1970 and quickly ascended the ranks of the company, culminating with his appointment as CEO in 1983 and chairman of the board of directors in 1987. He retired as CEO in 2005 and from the chairman position in 2006. That same year he formed Leading by Serving LLC, a new company whose mission is to advance the principles of servant leadership in business organizations.

“Congratulations and best regards to the class of 2016. I hope the Academy will help them reach their superintendent goals,” Melrose said.

Collins, a 23-year member of GCSA, will join 14 other superintendents as part of the 2016 Melrose Academy attending the Golf Industry Show in San Diego in February.

“I was really, really excited when I found out I was chosen,” Collins said. “I am looking forward to the education on water issues. I am anxious to hear about how others are dealing with water issues in their areas.”

In addition to Collins, the selected participants are:

• Troy Alderson, Pendleton (Ore.) Country Club
• Michael Bochert, Elk Valley Golf Course, Girard, Pa.
• Jason Boyce, Smugglers Glen Golf Course, Lansdowne, Ontario, Canada
• Michael Dunk, CGCS, The Trophy Club, Lebanon, Ind.
• John Farley, Teal Bend Golf Club, Sacramento, Calif.
• James S. Gernander, Kwiniaska Golf Club in Shelburne, Vt.
• Kevin Goss, Sugar Creek Golf Course, Villa Park, Ill.
• Andy Klein, CGCS, Falcon Ridge Golf Course, Lenexa, Kan.
• Brad Marcy, Indian Hills Golf Course, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
• Chad Oxenreider, Galen Hall Golf Club, Wernersville, Pa.
• Chris Richter, Wild Wood Country Club, Rush, N.Y.
• Scott Schurman, Kearney Country Club, Kearney, Neb.
• Thad Thompson, Terry Hills Golf Course, Batavia, N.Y.
• Randal Weeks, Lochmere (N.H.) Golf & Country Club