Through the Environmental Institute for Golf, the Academy that was established by the retired CEO and Chairman of The Toro Companuy will make it possible for selected members of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America to attend next February’s event in San Antonio.

The Melrose Leadership Academy, a program of the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIG), which serves as the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has announced that it will sponsor 17 golf course superintendents for all-expenses-paid trips to the 2015 Golf Industry Show (GIS), which will be held in San Antonio from February 21-26, 2015.

The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the professional development of GCSAA- member superintendents and was established in 2012 by Ken Melrose, retired CEO and chairman of the board of The Toro Company. It is supported by a $1 million gift to the EIFG from The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.

Academy members were chosen for the grant to attend the 2015 GIS through an application process based on financial need, volunteerism and drive to advance their careers. The Academy will offer education specific to risk management (health, safety and environmental compliance), operational efficiency, business and environmental stewardship. Attendees will also participate in various leadership activities.

The list of selected participants includes:

• Chase H. Best, Old Capital Golf Club, Corydon, Ind.
• Leslie A. Carpenter Jr., Newton (N.J.) Country Club
• Nicholas W. Cummins, Westwood Golf Course, Newton, Iowa
• Scott Cybulski, CGCS, Martindale Country Club, Auburn, Maine
• Nathaniel R. Dyer, Neshobe Golf Club, Brandon, Vt.
• Kyle Erdige, Timber Banks Golf Course, Baldwinsville, N.Y.
• Joey G. Franco Jr., CGCS, Brookstone Golf & Country Club, Acworth, Ga.
• Hamilton S. Griffith, University of Georgia Golf Course, Athens, Ga.
• Jason S. Heydt, Spring Hollow Golf Club, Spring City, Pa.
• Rick A. Jacobs, Mirror Lakes Golf Club, Lehigh Acres, Fla.
• Stephen Sarnowski, Raisin River Country Club, Monroe, Mich.
• Ryan Smith, Old Silo Golf Club, Mount Sterling, Ky.
• TD Storie Jr., Centennial Valley Golf Course, Conway, Ark.
• Robert W. Turcotte, Baker Hill Golf Club, Newbury, N.H.
• Jon-Claude Whillock, Harrison (Ark.) Country Club
• Scott Winkelman, Lakeview Golf & Country Club, Auburn, N.Y.
• Kurtis A. Wolford, Cherry Island Golf Course, Elverta, Calif.

“I feel honored to be selected; it’s recognition for a long career,” said Storie, a 17-year GCSAA member. “I have been very involved in GCSAA, but unable to regularly attend the show. It’s strictly financial. Now I am really looking forward to meeting people from all over the place–it’s all about networking.”

“The Melrose Leadership Academy offers GCSAA members a fantastic professional development opportunity,” said Rhett Evans, the GCSAA’s CEO Rhett Evans. “Congratulations to the winners, not only for being named to the academy, but for making the decision to continue to learn and enhance their careers and the profession.”

Ken Melrose’s relationship with the golf industry is longstanding, as he joined The Toro Company in 1970. He 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.