American Junior Golf Association honors Indiana superintendent

Otter Creek Golf Course’s Mitchell Eickhoff was honored at the recent Circle K Junior Championship with the American Junior Golf Association’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year Award.

Eickhoff’s recognition is one of two 2023 awards for the Circle K Junior Championship, as the event also won the Charitable Giving Award. The championship has earned seven tournament awards in its 12-year history. Otter Creek, a popular public facility in Columbus, Indiana, hosted the 2024 tournament from June 24-27.

The AJGA annually presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am fundraising, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation. Finally, the AJGA recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and golf course executive, as well as the most game-changing event, best new event, best Neuropeak Pro Preview Series tournament, best Ninja Junior All-Star Series tournament, best Invitational and overall tournament of the year. Tournament awards for the 2023 season are presented onsite at the 2024 tournament.

Eickhoff is one of over 130 superintendents the AJGA works with at tournaments throughout the year.

“It’s an honor,” Eickhoff said. “I know there’s a lot of great superintendents that run AJGA tournaments and to be selected as the best one of the year, I’m definitely humbled by it. I have a great team behind me, so that really helped out. I can’t say how important it is to have a good crew that supports you and helps you achieve your goals.

Eickhoff has been the Circle K Junior Championship’s superintendent for the past six years and works closely with his team at Otter Creek for weeks prior to the event to ensure the venue is prepared for the tournament. During tournament week, Eickhoff sends a daily email with golf course updates, maintenance news and the mowing schedule so the tournament operations team can make the best decisions for the event.

Eickhoff is always available before, during and after tournament rounds and works in close consultation with the tournament director to select each round’s hole locations. He is a key source on incoming weather conditions, which allows the tournament staff to properly prepare for all playing environments. Eickhoff plays an essential role in the Circle K Junior Championship consistently having a pristine course for the AJGA’s competitors.

“We are always excited to return to Otter Creek because we know Mitchell and his team will have the course in top shape,” said Ryan Flanagan, AJGA senior Midwest regional director. “We’re grateful for Mitchell’s consistent work supporting our tournament staff and his dedication to creating a fantastic playing experience for our juniors.

All proceeds from the Circle K Junior Championship benefited the Foundation for Youth and the AJGA's Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence Grant.