By Emma Peterson. 

Celebrating 100 years of service and the dedicated members who made that legacy possible. 

Today, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) boasts more than 21,000 members “who are science-based college graduates who oversee all aspects of golf course management, from agronomics to environmental sustainability.” That accomplishment was made possible through the dedicated efforts of individuals who saw promise in the organization’s mission and its members. 

GCSAA was founded 100 years ago in 1926 as the National Association of Greenkeepers of America. Key to that founding was Colonel John Morley, a vegetable grower and greenkeeper at a country club in Ohio, who served as the organization’s first president. That October, famed architect Donald Ross wrote to John congratulating him on the formation of the association, saying, “I congratulate you on your work as a greenkeeper of outstanding ability, and with leaders of your type, an association would unquestionably be a great success, not only from the standpoint of the members, but also from the clubs who employ them.”  

Alongside John were some 60 other groundskeepers, all working together to advance their profession and improve the communities around them. One of which was Frank Mastroleo. Frank was known in the industry, at the time having overseen the Geneva Golf Club in Illinois for 42 years. And working alongside him was his son, David Mastroleo, who today is known to be GCSAA’s longest membership holder.  

David was three years old when GCSAA was founded and grew up watching his father put leather shoes on the horses that pulled the mowers at Geneva Golf Club. By the time he was 30 years old, David was superintendent at the Arrowhead Golf and Country Club in Illinois. Six years after that, he found himself moving to California to work as a superintendent at the Fox Hills Golf Club in Culver City. After that it was Hillcrest Country Club, then Tierra Rejada Golf Club and Trilogy Golf Club. 

Throughout all of these career changes, David was a member of the GCSAA. In fact, he served as president for both the California GCSA and GCSA of Southern California at different times and received the GCSAA Distinguished Service Award (now renamed the Col. John Morley Award) in 1998.  

Craig Edminster, the founder of Pacific Northwest Natives, recalled encountering David at GCSAA events when he still worked at International Seeds, sharing, “We had a booth [at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show] with different varieties [of turfgrass]. He was under contract with us, and what he grew for us was impeccable. He is just a pleasant guy who knew his stuff. He was good for the young superintendents, had a rapport with the industry veterans. He had great respect across the board.” 

David retired in 2004, but still maintains his membership with GCSAA, which is now over seven decades old – the longest standing membership. Looking back, David shared some thoughts, "I made it to 50 straight conferences, enjoyed every one of them and enjoyed every day on the golf course...I’m a lifetime member and I’m proud of it.” 

Want to hear more from the now 96-year-old David? Watch GCSAA’s interview with him.

The Orlando event featured a celebration of the association’s Centennial.

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show celebrated the association’s 100 years of keeping the game on course with a successful return to Orlando from February 2-5. Attendance grew for the fourth year in a row, with 12,824 attendees (up 15% over 2025). A record-breaking 8,074 seminar seats were filled, exceeding the prior record set in 2008. In addition to education for superintendents, the event also included specialized education for assistant superintendents and equipment managers. 

The trade show floor at the Orange County Convention Center featured 523 exhibitors (vs. 464 in 2025) and 178,600 square feet of exhibit space, an increase of 16% over 2025. The total trade show floor was 428,000 square feet and also included areas for education, GCSAA Services, GCSAA Store and the Centennial Experience, an exhibit that took attendees through 100 years of GCSAA history. GCSAA will turn 100 on September 13.

“As we kick off our Centennial year, it meant a great deal to see our members show up in such strong numbers to learn, connect and grow.” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Our role is to serve them by providing education, resources and opportunities that help them strengthen their careers and facilities, and this week reflected that shared commitment to the future of the profession.”

The conference was preceded by the GCSAA Golf Championships presented by Toro from January 31 to February 1. More than 600 golfers competed in flighted competitions across five Orlando-area golf courses. Defending champion Mike Gianopoulos, CGCS, superintendent at Kent Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, won the 2026 GCSAA National Championship. 

On Monday, the Opening Session, presented in partnership with Syngenta, saw brothers Bob Alonzi, CGCS, a 55-year GCSAA member, and Joe Alonzi, CGCS, a 50-year GCSAA member, honored with the Col. John Morley Award. Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, superintendent at Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut, was presented with the President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship, while researcher and educator Bert McCarty, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Clemson University, won the Outstanding Contribution Award. GCSAA also announced a $1-million donation to the GCSAA Foundation from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation.  The session concluded with an exclusive panel discussion focused on the future of the game featuring GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans, PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and USGA CEO Mike Whan, which was moderated by Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief Jerry Tarde.

On Tuesday, more than 4,000 GCSAA members and industry friends came together for the GCSAA Centennial Celebration at ICON Park. The sold-out gathering provided an evening of connection and celebration to reflect on GCSAA’s past, present and future.

Wednesday featured the 2026 GCSAA Collegiate Turf Bowl, presented in partnership with John Deere. Penn State University was the 2026 champion, successfully defending its title from 2025. The Turf Bowl competition included 288 students on 79 teams from 33 universities across North America.

Also on Wednesday, students from high schools across the Sunshine State had the opportunity to compete in the Florida Turfgrass Science Invitational, an FFA-endorsed event designed to stimulate student interest and to promote the turfgrass industry as a career choice. South Fork High School in Stuart, Florida, won the competition. 

The week wound down with Thursday’s Closing Session, presented in partnership with John Deere. Highlights of the Send-Off Celebration included the presentation of the Emerging Leader Award to Steven Spatafore, director of agronomy at Los Altos (California) Golf and Country Club, and the Edwin Budding Award to John Patterson, CTEM, the equipment director at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Georgia. The session concluded with a panel discussion focused on developing tomorrow’s golf course management leaders, composed of Evans; Manny Gan, John Deere global director of golf and sports turf; and Mara Downing, John Deere vice president, corporate communications and brand management. The 2026 CTS concluded with the Closing Event featuring motivational speaker and celebrity hypnotist Ricky Kalmon. 

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show is produced by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) along with its presenting partners the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), United States Golf Association (USGA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA).

The 2027 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show will head to New Orleans, Louisiana, January 15-21, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and will feature the conclusion of GCSAA’s Centennial observation. 

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, Kansas, the association provides education, information and representation to 21,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.

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.

Toro has assisted the GCSAA Foundation in raising nearly $5 million for turfgrass research.

The GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has received another $50,000 grant from The Toro Company Foundation for continued support of the Rounds 4 Research (R4R) program in 2026. With this contribution, The Toro Company has donated $700,000 to the program over the past 14 years.

Rounds 4 Research is designed to address a critical shortage in turfgrass research funding by auctioning donated rounds of golf online. The program allows GCSAA chapters and turfgrass foundations to participate as fundraising partners and direct the proceeds from auctioned rounds to specific projects that will have the most significant impact in their local areas.

Since its launch in 2012, Rounds 4 Research has raised nearly $5 million. The program is administered by the GCSAA Foundation and presented in partnership with The Toro Company. The 2026 R4R auction will be held April 20-26.

“The Rounds 4 Research auction broke records yet again in 2025, and Toro’s steadfast generosity has played a key role in the program’s continued success,” said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans. “Toro’s unwavering support has undoubtedly ensured that the R4R program remains successful in sustaining the game of golf and advancing research that enhances the industry.”

The Toro Company is a longtime partner of the GCSAA Foundation, donating nearly $2.8 million since 1987 to help support scientific research, education and scholarships for future turfgrass professionals. As the exclusive presenting partner of Rounds 4 Research, The Toro Company is a Victory Club member of the GCSAA Foundation’s cumulative giving program and a GCSAA Platinum Partner.

“The Toro Company Foundation is proud to support Rounds for Research because it directly advances the science and education needed to steward our natural resources responsibly,” said Marnie K. Wells, president, The Toro Company Foundation. “This initiative reflects our commitment to sustainability by supporting research and scholarships that equip future turfgrass professionals to manage land, water and inputs thoughtfully while strengthening the long-term health of the golf industry.”

About Toro

With roots dating back to 1914, Toro is a leading worldwide provider of innovative solutions for the outdoor environment including turf and landscape maintenance, snow management, rental and construction equipment and irrigation solutions. Through a strong network of distributors, dealers, retailers and rental stores in more than 125 countries, Toro helps customers care for golf courses, sports fields, public green spaces, commercial and residential properties, construction sites and agricultural operations. More at: www.toro.com.

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, Kansas, 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 or visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.

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.

By Jenny Yu.  

Education, networking and innovation take center stage at the golf industry’s premier annual event. 

The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show 2026 is set to bring golf course management professionals together February 2–5 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), this year’s event celebrates the association’s centennial and offers a range of education, networking and technology showcases for industry leaders, turf managers and facility owners. 

Attendees can take part in seminars, interactive facility tours and Power Hours designed to enhance skills, share best practices and explore the latest trends in golf course and grounds management. The conference opens with the GCSAA Golf Championships presented by The Toro Company, running January 31 through February 2 on some of Orlando’s premier courses, followed by receptions and the official GCSAA Centennial Celebration at ICON Park. 

The trade show floor will operate February 4 and 5 and provide a marketplace of innovations from hundreds of exhibitors representing equipment, irrigation and turf solutions, sustainable practices and maintenance systems. In addition to cutting-edge products and technologies, the Centennial Experience offers a walk through 100 years of GCSAA history and the evolution of golf course management. 

Professional development is a core focus of the event, with leadership programs, workshops and educational sessions aimed at helping attendees expand their expertise and strengthen their roles in shaping the future of golf course management. Networking opportunities abound, from early-morning health runs to closing events featuring industry speakers and entertainment. 

Whether you are looking to stay on top of turf technology, build partnerships or celebrate a milestone year for GCSAA, this event promises to deliver valuable insights and professional growth for all attendees.  

Learn more and register to secure your spot for this centennial celebration!