Association news

Heartland Wis. - As a nonprofit organization, the Equipment & Engine Training Council relies on volunteer members to help support and accomplish its goals. At this year’s annual conference, the EETC honored the achievements of those members who’ve excelled through their hard work and dedication. Awards were presented in six specific areas.

The EETC honored Alexandria Technical College with its School of the Year award for its development of an outreach program that supplies high schools with engines and training materials so students can get a start on a career in power equipment repair. The Manufacturer of the Year award went to The Toro Co. for its continuing commitment to technician certification and dedication to the mission of the EETC. Coye Consultants received the Distributor of the Year award for its leadership in technician education, training and dealer development. The John Thompson Memorial "Service Manager of the Year" award went to Andy Sadlon of Florida Outdoor Equipment. Sadlon is the chairman of the electrical committee on the EETC board of directors.

Each year the EETC board president selects a person that has helped the EETC in its mission. This year Pete Fernald, manager of customer service for Shindaiwa and EETC president, awarded two President’s Awards. The first went to Tecumseh Power Co. for its dedication to EETC technician certification. The second President’s Award went to Tom Kane, national training manager, Kubota Tractor Corp., for his vision as a founding father of the EETC.

A new award was presented at this year’s conference. The highest honor the EETC can present is the Spirit Award, which was presented to Briggs & Stratton Corp.

Lawrence, Kan. - The Environmental Institute for Golf will showcase its informational and educational resources with the launch of a new Web site, which will provide information about golf and the environment.

The site, www.eifg.org, was unveiled during the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s 75th International Golf Course Conference and Show in San Diego. The site will provide information about environmental issues related to golf, with links to other sites, allowing a variety of audiences to access information on golf’s relationship with the environment easily. Currently, the site highlights the five centers of The Institute:

The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA, is an effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment.

Lawrence, Kan. - The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America named Katelyn Ritter of Mount Airy, Md., the first recipient of the Joseph S. Garske Collegiate Grant.

The $2,500 grant, funded by Par Aide and administered through The Environmental Institute for Golf, was established in honor of Par Aide company founder Joseph S. Garske. Each year, the program awards children of GCSAA members to assist in the funding of their education at an accredited college or trade school. The grant is renewable for a second year with proof of enrollment and a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Ritter will attend The Pennsylvania State University next fall to study architectural engineering. Her father, Thomas Ritter, CGCS, has been the golf course superintendent at Hampshire Greens Golf Course in Silver Springs, Md., since 1997.