Illinois-based golf course owner to receive ASGCA Donald Ross Award

Frank Jemsek, owner of Lemont, Illinois-based Jemsek Golf based, has been chosen as the 2023 recipient of the ASGCA Donald Ross Award. The award, given annually since 1976, is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture. It will be presented to Jemsek on Oct. 3 at the ASGCA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee at the Donald Ross Banquet.

Jemsek Golf was founded by Frank’s father, Joe Jemsek, who first brought Frank into the family business when he was just 11 years old. Frank Jemsek continues to positively impact golfers of all ages and abilities at courses that include: Cog Hill Golf & Country Club, Lemont, Illinois; Pine Meadow Golf Course, Mundelein, Illinois; St. Andrews Golf & Country Club, West Chicago, Illinois; and Summer Grove Golf Club, Newnan, Georgia.

The Jemsek model is to make every course challenging for the advanced golfer and friendlier for the higher handicapper. He has helped develop and implement grow-the-game initiatives such as Family Golf, No Embarrassment Golf School, Youth on Course and PGA Jr. Golf League.

“The ASGCA Donald Ross Award recognizes those making a significant contribution to the game,” ASGCA President Brit Stenson said. “Frank Jemsek and the Jemsek family have been doing that nearly as long as ASGCA has been in existence! Beginning with Joe Jemsek and continuing through Frank to his daughter, Katherine, one thing the Jemseks have done exceedingly well is to listen. They ask new and established golfers what they need from a golf facility and they have provided it. This positive impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.”

Frank is an Illinois Golf Hall of Fame member and was the first public golf course manager to join the Club Management Association of America. Jemsek facilities have hosted national events, including United States Amateur Championship, U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Western Open, Western Junior, BMW Championship and PGA Junior Boys and Girls Championship.

The Donald Ross Award is presented by the ASGCA Awards Committee, co-chaired by ASGCA Past Presidents Steve Smyers, ASGCA, and Rees Jones, ASGCA Fellow.

Past Donald Ross Award Recipients

2022: John Lawrence, The Toro Company

2021: Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, ASGCA, golf course architects

2020: Renee Powell, golf pioneer/player/course owner

2019: Joe Passov, golf writer

2018: President George Herbert Walker Bush, U.S. President

2017: Alice Dye, ASGCA Fellow, golf course architect

2016: Michael Bamberger, golf writer

2015: Bradley S. Klein, golf writer

2014: Maj. Dan Rooney, founder, Folds of Honor Foundation

2013: Rees Jones, ASGCA, golf course architect

2012: Bill Kubly, golf course builder

2011: James Dodson, golf writer/editor

2010: Tim Finchem, PGA Tour Commissioner

2009: Ron Dodson, sustainable golf advocate

2008: George Peper, golf writer

2007: Dr. Michael Hurdzan, ASGCA, golf course architect

2006: Jim Awtrey, chief executive officer, PGA of America

2005: John Singleton, irrigation pioneer

2004: Thomas Cousins, philanthropist, urban golf developer       

2003: Bill Campbell, president, USGA, captain, Royal & Ancient Golf Club

2002: Byron Nelson, professional golfer

2001: Jack Nicklaus, ASGCA, professional golfer, golf course architect

2000: Jaime Ortiz-Patino, owner and president, Valderrama Golf Club

1999: Arnold Palmer, professional golfer

1998: Judy Bell, president, USGA

1997: Gene Sarazen, professional golfer

1996: Ron Whitten, golf writer

1995: Pete Dye, ASGCA, golf course architect

1994: James R. Watson, agronomist

1993: Brent Wadsworth, golf course builder

1992: Paul Fullmer, ASGCA executive secretary

1991: Michael Bonallack, secretary, Royal & Ancient Golf Club

1990: John Zoller, executive director, Northern California Golf Association

1989: Dick Taylor, editor, “Golf World” magazine

1988: Frank Hannigan, executive director, USGA

1987: Charles Price, writer, “Golf World” magazine

1986: Deane Beman, commissioner, PGA Tour

1985: Peter Dobereiner, “London Observer” columnist, author

1984: Dinah Shore, sponsor of women’s golf tournaments

1983: Al Radko, director, USGA Green Section

1982: Geoffrey Cornish, ASGCA, golf course architect, historian

1981: James Rhodes, governor of Ohio

1980: Gerald Micklem, captain, Royal & Ancient

1979: Joe Dey, executive director, USGA

1978: Herb and Joe Graffis, founders, National Golf Foundation

1977: Herbert Warren Wind, “The New Yorker” columnist, author

1976: Robert Trent Jones, ASGCA, ASGCA founding member