GCSAA’s Rob Randquist announces retirement after nearly 50-year career

GCSAA chief operating officer Bob Randquist, CGCS, has announced he will retire on October 15.

In his time as COO, Randquist managed a broad and complex array of functions and facilitated multiple projects to meet the objectives of the association. While he represented GCSAA and maintained relationships with industry and allied partners, his main focus was on internal stakeholders and being an integral part of the headquarters’ culture.

Randquist joined the GCSAA staff in May 2018 after 20 years serving as director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Florida. Prior to Boca Rio, he spent two decades as superintendent at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he hosted the 1982 and 1994 PGA Championships, the 1995 and 1996 PGA Tour Championships, and helped secure the 2001 U.S. Open.

As a superintendent, Randquist was a highly engaged GCSAA member and served as the association’s president in 2011. He has been a GCSAA member for 46 years and became a certified golf course superintendent in 1985.

“Serving GCSAA and its members has allowed me to further contribute to an organization and membership that provided the educational and professional development opportunities that helped me enjoy a successful career as a golf course superintendent,” Randquist said. “It has been a pleasure to work with CEO Rhett Evans, the GCSAA Board and all the GCSAA Team members. I know that their efforts will continue to help our members increase their skills, professionalism and earn recognition for the work they are so passionate about.”

Randquist graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering. While training in engineering, he spent his college years working on the crew at Trosper Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City. Upon graduating, he was offered the assistant superintendent position at Trosper Park GC, and his career path was set.

In addition to his staff and board roles at GCSAA, Randquist also served the golf industry in other organizations. On the local level, he served on the board of the Palm Beach GCSA and was president of the Oklahoma GCSA and Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation. Randquist served on the USGA Green Section Committee for 27 years and has been honored by the USGA with its Ike Grainger Award, which recognizes 25 years of volunteer service.

Randquist shared his expertise with others as a seminar instructor for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and has been a speaker at industry events for organizations around the world, including the USGA, PGA of America, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association.

“I had the privilege of serving alongside Bob both during his GCSAA board service and as a staff member, and it has been a joy to work with someone so calm, passionate and professional with such a high level of expertise,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “Bob shows by example that excellence is something to aim for every day. I congratulate him on his standout career and wish him the very best as he moves on to this well-deserved next chapter of his life.”

Upon his retirement, Randquist and his wife, LaVada, will return to their native Oklahoma to be closer to their family, which includes daughters, Jennifer and Laura, and granddaughter, Scout.