Old Tom Morris Award Venting Cancel The title field is required!

1. James Ervine

   

   0 posts
   
   8/10/2015 4:08 PM

   Is it just me, or do others have an issue with this award always going to people in the industry that seem to play the game? Is it that there are no deserving GCSAA members for this award? There are no golf course superintendents that have given their life to this industry that are not deserving? Maybe it is just me complaining, but it does bother me to look at the list and not see several deserving superintendents on that list. Here is the list of winners: https://www.gcsaa.org/community/awards/ ... rris-award

   
   
   
   
2. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   8/10/2015 4:08 PM

   James,
   I agree, I do see one CGCS may be other names I do not know but it does come down to we don't even like ourselves very much. I guess when you have been down so long that it looks like up, we may have a problem.
   We do employee of the quarter here at Zama Golf Club and in my club I always nominate one of my staff not the bar-man or the parking attendant. My staff do even get it at times.
   I may do some reading on the old Tom Morris award to find out more about it and a good reason for this oversight.
   Venting is fun hope we hear for others.
   Keith Pegg

   
   
   
   
3. Ronald Kirkman

   

   40 posts
   
   8/10/2015 8:08 PM

   Greetings;
   
   The same thing will happen if you give the award to Golf Course Superintendents. No doubt it will be a Superintendent from a well-known golf club and also one who has hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Open or other major tournaments. Forget the little guy he or she who has labored for years keeping his/her golf course in shape as the larger courses with no budget problems.
   
   Two people other than Golf Course Superintendents who should receive the award first are Donald Trump and Sarah Palin. If you don't agree with these two - how about Lois Lerner or Hillary Clinton or Roger Goodell.
   
   Capt. Kirk.
   Retired Alien
   Needham golf Club
   Needham, MA

   
   
   
   
4. Clay Putnam

   

   33 posts
   
   8/10/2015 10:08 PM

   Per the GCSAA - "The award has been presented annually by GCSAA since 1983 to an individual, who through a lifetime commitment to the game of golf, has helped to mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris. Morris, a four-time British Open winner, was the longtime superintendent at St Andrews in Scotland until his death in 1908. Kohler was notified as being the 2016 award winner at St Andrews during the 2015 British Open."
   
   At best the award is given to a person who represents all facets of golf to include but not limited to agronomics, architecture, professionalism (golf pro), and growing the game. At worst the award is no more than a public relations ploy to gain favor from the influential recipients. Either way the deck is stacked against and is next to impossible to achieve by our membership.
   
   Perhaps a GCSAA award rep can chime in to give us perspective.

   
   
   
   
5. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   8/11/2015 8:08 AM

   The Old Tom Morris Award (OTM) is is more than just our highest honor it is also a opportunity to recognize all Superintendents through the accomplishments of someone's sphere of influence in the greater golf industry. The list includes 4 Superintendents whose participation in the game was more global. John Morley GCSAA's founding President, Sherwood Moore CGCS, well known for his work to advance the professionalism of the modern Superintendent, Walter Woods, long time GreenKeeper at St. Andrews, and last but not least Jaime Ortiz-Patino, owner/superintendent at Valderrama Golf Course. When I look at the list of Golf Greats who have received the OTM they all are people who I can see contributed to golf significantly.
   
   This years winner is no exception. Herb Kohler has really done a lot for Superintendents and the game of golf mostly behind the scenes. He has helped raise not just money but awareness to the Environmental Institute for Golf. He is a great supporter of Superintendents and their professional efforts and has been for decades.This is a great year to recognise him as he is hosting the PGA Championship this week and the sports world is watching. He deserves the high praise he will get and the added recognition that being a Old Tom Award winner deserves.
   
   Contrast this with the Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award (Morley DSA) https://www.gcsaa.org/Community/Awards/Past-DSA-Winners and you see a list of mostly Superintendents who have been recognised by their fellow members for their contribution to our Industry. I have had the good fortune to know/meet many of these individual in the 38 years i have been in the industry. Nominations for this award come straight from our members. I always found it one of the best things about serving on the GCSAA BOD, reading the letters from our members supporting the nomination for the Morley DSA. There are sometimes a few onesy-twosy letters but often there is a organized campaign of 20+ letters supporting a individual. If you feel there is a Superintendent/individual who deserves recognition the Morley DSA is open to all members to nominate and recognise these people. The sad part is there are years when very few nominations actually come in. Truly for us as Superintendents there is no higher honor than the Morley DSA IMHO.

   
   
   
   
6. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   8/11/2015 8:08 AM

   Sean,
   
   How is the Morley DSA award nominations period publicized? I don't remember seeing it, but then again, it may have been I just glanced over it.

   
   
   
   
7. Sean Hoolehan

   

   0 posts
   
   8/11/2015 9:08 AM

   Andy,
   
   I am not sure how they do it now but probably through website, social media, and chapters, It's still open until August 31. http://www.gcsaa.org/Community/Awards/Distinguished-Service-Award

   
   
   
   
8. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   8/11/2015 10:08 AM

   Ronald Kirkman said: Greetings;
   
   The same thing will happen if you give the award to Golf Course Superintendents. No doubt it will be a Superintendent from a well-known golf club and also one who has hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Open or other major tournaments. Forget the little guy he or she who has labored for years keeping his/her golf course in shape as the larger courses with no budget problems.
   
   Two people other than Golf Course Superintendents who should receive the award first are Donald Trump and Sarah Palen. If you don't agree with these two - how about Lois Lerner or Hillary Clinton or Roger Goodell.
   
   Capt. Kirk.
   Retired Alien
   Needham golf Club
   Needham, MA

   
   
   Capt. Your forgot our current president, he is more worthy then the half governor. Trump could be worthy with all his golf holdings down the road if he doesn't alienate everyone.
   
   Although I think you would be a good candidate, didn't you also tend bar at your course? Anyone who tends bard deserves recognition.
   
   Actually it was my dad whose bartending skills he learned in the Air Force while stationed in Goosebay Labador, and my mom's short order cooking skills that brought me into the business, they found work at the local golf course when I was growing up.
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
9. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   8/11/2015 10:08 AM

   Sean Hoolehan, CGCS said: The Old Tom Morris Award (OTM) is is more than just our highest honor it is also a opportunity to recognize all Superintendents through the accomplishments of someone's sphere of influence in the greater golf industry. The list includes 4 Superintendents whose participation in the game was more global. John Morley GCSAA's founding President, Sherwood Moore CGCS, well known for his work to advance the professionalism of the modern Superintendent, Walter Woods, long time GreenKeeper at St. Andrews, and last but not least Jaime Ortiz-Patino, owner/superintendent at Valderrama Golf Course. When I look at the list of Golf Greats who have received the OTM they all are people who I can see contributed to golf significantly.
   
   This years winner is no exception. Herb Kohler has really done a lot for Superintendents and the game of golf mostly behind the scenes. He has helped raise not just money but awareness to the Environmental Institute for Golf. He is a great supporter of Superintendents and their professional efforts and has been for decades.This is a great year to recognise him as he is hosting the PGA Championship this week and the sports world is watching. He deserves the high praise he will get and the added recognition that being a Old Tom Award winner deserves.
   
   Contrast this with the Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award (Morley DSA) https://www.gcsaa.org/Community/Awards/Past-DSA-Winners and you see a list of mostly Superintendents who have been recognised by their fellow members for their contribution to our Industry. I have had the good fortune to know/meet many of these individual in the 38 years i have been in the industry. Nominations for this award come straight from our members. I always found it one of the best things about serving on the GCSAA BOD, reading the letters from our members supporting the nomination for the Morley DSA. There are sometimes a few onesy-twosy letters but often there is a organized campaign of 20+ letters supporting a individual. If you feel there is a Superintendent/individual who deserves recognition the Morley DSA is open to all members to nominate and recognise these people. The sad part is there are years when very few nominations actually come in. Truly for us as Superintendents there is no higher honor than the Morley DSA IMHO.

   
   
   Thanks for the info and history, I know sometimes we as superintendents wonder about recognizing a superintendent for this award, but with the selection criteria, many who have been awarded the honor, do fit the qualifications. And while we should and do look at the importance of the Col. John Morley award, and how it would be an honor for someone to be recognized for that, maybe the issue is more that the recognition is among us and not the greater golf world like the Old Tom Morris award winner. I wonder if more could be done to raise the profile of the Morley award winner? Maybe with some air time on the Golf Channel and/or other media outlets?
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
10. James Schmid

    

    1 posts
    
    8/11/2015 11:08 AM

    Isn't one of the goals of the GCSAA to advance the visibility and understanding of the value what the superintendent does amongst others inside and outside the golf business? How does giving awards to ourselves and telling each other how great we are further that goal? Doesn't bringing in other influential people around the business do more to advance that goal?

    
    
    
    
11. Sandy Clark

    

    0 posts
    
    8/11/2015 3:08 PM

    I think the Captain should get it! He is older than me so he is close to Tom Morris in age. He was a Supt. GM. Bar Tender, Starter and Equipment Operator

    
    
    
    
12. Keith Pegg

    

    0 posts
    
    8/11/2015 4:08 PM

    Ronald Kirkman said: Greetings;
    
    The same thing will happen if you give the award to Golf Course Superintendents. No doubt it will be a Superintendent from a well-known golf club and also one who has hosted a U.S. Open, PGA Open or other major tournaments. Forget the little guy he or she who has labored for years keeping his/her golf course in shape as the larger courses with no budget problems.
    
    Two people other than Golf Course Superintendents who should receive the award first are Donald Trump and Sarah Palen. If you don't agree with these two - how about Lois Lerner or Hillary Clinton or Roger Goodell.
    
    Capt. Kirk.
    Retired Alien
    Needham golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    
    
    Captain; I nominate you,

    
    
    
    
13. Ronald Kirkman

    

    40 posts
    
    8/11/2015 8:08 PM

    Mel,
    
    You are right. My mistake, I over looked Mr. Obama. As long as he keeps playing golf he will be our friend. By the way, how are you feeling.
    
    Sandy, you are right as usual. I am OLD! I have bar tended a few times for some private functions at the club. I particularly enjoyed it when the law required the bar to close. Some girls would come up to the bar and ask to buy a bottle of champagne because they have a limo driver bringing them home. Or, they would like one more drink and I would open my vest so they could see my Needham Special Police Badge. Most of the time the men, boyfriend or husband would send the lady to the bar because they are more diplomatic than their spouses or boyfriends.
    
    Keith, thanks for the nomination. There are many, many out there who are much more deserving than I including you. I have a brick pretty close to Mr. Tom Morris statue at Headquarters. That is good enough for me.
    
    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA

    
    
    
    
14. Henry Heinz

    

    0 posts
    
    8/12/2015 5:08 AM

    The Captain was mowing greens before Tom Morris was the Old Tom Morris;)
    
    
    
    Just Kidding the C.K

    
    
    
    
15. Ronald Kirkman

    

    40 posts
    
    8/12/2015 3:08 PM

    Henry Heinz"]The Captain was mowing greens before Tom Morris was the Old Tom Morris;)
    
    
    
    Just Kidding the C.K[
    
    '
    And, Don't forget without the engine. A little over 60 years ago after top-dressing.
    
    Henry, email me and let me know how Buddha is doing. ronald.kirkman@verizon.net
    
    Capt. Kirk
    Retired Alien
    Needham Golf Club
    Needham, MA
    02492

    
    
    
    
16. Steven Huffstutler

    

    11 posts
    
    9/5/2015 1:09 PM

    I understand the criterion and the reason, but the reality is a little different, I think.
    
    I was watching "Feherty" the other night; he was interviewing Judy Rankin. He listed all of her awards and the last in that long line was the Old Tom Morris award. As soon as he said the name of the award, he said " Are you sure it wasn't the New Tom morris award?
    
    Nice joke, eh?