After David Van Auken of Bass Lake CC earned a benefit from the Melrose Leadership Academy earlier this year, his son Kurt was one of 20 winners of grants awarded to children of the association’s membership.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has announced the 20 winners of this year’s Legacy Awards, given to children or grandchildren of GCSAA members who have been active for five or more consecutive years. The grants, each worth $1,500, are administered by the association’s philanthropic division, the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG), and funded by Swiss agribusiness giant Syngenta.

One of this year’s winners is Kurt Van Auken, son of David Van Auken, a GCSAA member for 25 years and the Superintendent at Bass Lake Country Club in Deerbrook, Wis. Kurt, 26, is currently a student at Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wis., studying to be a physical therapist assistant. He is also a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse with a degree in exercise and sports science.

Earlier this year, David Van Auken, 57, benefited from another GCSAA/EIFG program, the Melrose Leadership Academy, which supports the professional development of GCSAA member superintendents by providing individuals the opportunity to attend the annual Golf Industry Show.

“The stars really aligned for us this year,” David Van Auken said. “I have received tremendous value from GCSAA over the years, but this is just icing on the cake. It just goes to show the tremendous support superintendents and their families receive from GCSAA. In this case, it’s easing the financial burden for Kurt for his education.”

Other Legacy Award winners include:

– Taylor Archibald, majoring in biology at Michigan Technological University and child of Steven Archibald, GCSAA member superintendent at Thornberry Creek Country Club in Green Bay, Wis.

– AnnMarie Backstrom, majoring in environmental studies at the College of Saint Benedict and child of Jeffery C. Backstrom, GCSAA Class A Superintendent at Cannon Golf Club in Cannon Falls, Minn.

– Courtney Doxtader, from Utica, N.Y., majoring in dental hygiene at State University of New York at Canton and grandchild of the late GCSAA member Gene Taylor.

– Lily Ellis, majoring in English at the University at Buffalo and child of GCSAA Class A member Howard C. Ellis, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown, N.Y.

– Ryan Fackler, majoring in intrapersonal and organizational communication studies at Azusa Pacific University and child of GCSAA Class A member Steve N. Fackler, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills, Calif.

– Kelsey Gabel, of Chicago, obtaining a master’s degree in nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago and child of Charles C. Dipman, retired GCSAA Class A member.

– Caitlin Greninger, majoring in pre-law and criminal justice at the University of Wyoming and child of GCSAA Class A member Michael A. Greninger, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at the Titleist Performance Institute in Oceanside, Calif.

– Amanda Gross, majoring in civil engineering at Northeastern University and stepchild of Douglas C. George, GCSAA Class A Superintendent at Waccabuc (N.Y.) Country Club.

– Maggie Henderson, majoring in accounting at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville and child of William J. Henderson III, GCSAA Class A Superintendent at Johnson City (Tenn.) Country Club.

– O’Chun Jones, majoring in environmental and natural resources at Clemson University and child of Shaun Donahue, GCSAA Class A Superintendent at Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation in North Myrtle Beach, S.C.

– Molly Brown Langner, majoring in nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and child of Mark Langner, GCSAA Class A Superintendent at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Ala.

– Alyssa Merkel, majoring in psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and child of GCSAA Class A member Steven A. Merkel, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Landscapes Golf Group in Lincoln, Neb.

– Grant Wood Nair, majoring in engineering at Ohio State University and child of Scott W. Nair, GCSAA member superintendent at Kukio Golf Club in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

– Benjamin Naudet, majoring in architecture at the University of Kansas and child of Paul Naudet, GCSAA member Superintendent at the Club at Port Cima in Lake Ozark, Mo.

– Tyler Powell, majoring in business administration at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and child of GCSAA Class A member Brian Powell, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C.

– Jake Schaller, majoring in business at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and child of GCSAA Class A member Scott H. Schaller, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at North Shore Golf Club in Menasha, Wis.

– Colby Tarsitano, majoring in photography/photojournalism at New York University and child of GCSAA Class A member Gerald A. Tarsitano II, Certified Golf Course Superintendent at The Hideaway Golf Club in La Quinta, Calif.

– Kara C. Wojick of Wilton, Conn., majoring in English and secondary English education at the University of Connecticut and child of retired GCSAA Class A member Gregory J. Wojick.

“We understand that the cost of higher education can be a challenge,” Rhett Evans, the GCSAA’s Chief Executive Officer, said in announcing this year’s Legacy Awards. “So with the support of the EIFG and Syngenta, we are proud to provide opportunities for our members and their children to further their educations and their futures.”

Stephanie Schwenke, Golf Marketing Manager for Syngenta, said the awards were an opportunity for the company to give back to course superintendents, whom she described as the “backbone of the industry.”

“These scholarships provide opportunity for future leaders to gain the education and experiences that will contribute to their future,” Schwenke added. “At Syngenta, we view leadership, whether individual or organizational, as a valuable asset throughout one’s life and career. Personally, I appreciate hearing from each of these recipients as they share their individual stories and values on the impact of this scholarship.”