Melrose leadership programs sending 17 to GCSAA Conference and Trade Show

Through funding from the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation, 17 members of the GCSAA  will have the opportunity to attend the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, Feb. 3-6, in San Diego, California.

The Melrose Leadership Academy supports the professional development of GCSAA superintendent members, while the Melrose Equipment Management Experience provides professional development for GCSAA equipment manager members. Both programs are administered through the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

The Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation was founded by the late Ken Melrose, former CEO and chairman of Toro Co. and longtime friend and supporter of GCSAA. The Melrose Leadership Academy was established in 2012 followed by the Melrose Equipment Management Experience in 2019.

Both programs provide valuable learning experience, professional development, networking and educational opportunities for superintendents and equipment managers and, in turn, improve the future of the golf course management industry.

Participants in both Melrose programs are chosen through an application process based on financial need, involvement in communities through volunteer efforts and a drive to progress in their careers. Twelve superintendents were chosen for the 2025 Melrose Leadership Academy, and five equipment managers were chosen for the Melrose Equipment Management Experience.

“GCSAA is appreciative of the Kendrick B. Melrose Family Foundation for its generous support of the golf course management profession and for providing these career-enhancing opportunities through the GCSAA Foundation,” GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “The Melrose programs open the doors to gaining unparalleled education and networking opportunities to the selected individuals, who will be able to apply the acquired knowledge at home on their respective golf courses. Congratulations to the 2025 class of Melrose participants.”

The members of the 2025 Melrose Leadership Academy are:

• Eric Alms, My Old Kentucky Home State Park Golf Course, Bardstown, Kentucky
• Daryck Beetham, NorthStone Country Club, Huntersville, South Carolina
• Mark Finch, Country Club of Vermont, Waterbury Center, Vermont
• Andrew Getty, The Prairie Club Dunes Course, Valentine, Nebraska
• Patrick Healey, Scranton Canoe Club, Lake Winola, Pennsylvania
• Justin Hudson, Maple Chase Golf and Country Club, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Timothy Johnston, The Haven, Boylston, Massachusetts
• Andrew Kisner, VI, CGCS, The Villages Florida, The Villages, Florida
• Ryan McClannon, Reynolds Park Golf Course, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
• Gregory Pinto, Rockland Golf Course, Rockland, Massachusetts
• Patrick Riebe, Rum Pointe Seaside Golf Links, Berlin, Maryland
• Matthew Smith, Wilmington Municipal Golf Course, Wilmington, North Carolina

The members of the 2025 Melrose Equipment Management Experience are:

• Logan Barker, Chatham Hills, Westfield, Indiana
• Brenton Daniels, Ozarks National at Big Cedar Lodge, Hollister, Missouri
• Michael Henderson, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, California
• Tyler Miget, The Olde Course at Loveland, Loveland, Colo.
• John Niemiec, Westmoor Country Club, Brookfield, Wisconsin