Great news from GCI: Pat Jones hands editorial reins to Guy Cipriano

Jones will continue as editor-at-large as he moves to a role with Harrell’s.


Pat Jones, the longtime editorial director of Golf Course Industry, is leaving GIE Media to the join the Harrell's LLC team as customer experience director.
 
The great news? Pat will still be writing his monthly back-page column and will continue as editor-at-large for GCI. 
 
“After more than a decade with GIE Media, I started thinking about what I would do in the final chapter of my crazy career,” Jones said. “I’ve always admired and respected the Harrell’s family and the culture they’ve created so the opportunity to be part of their company and continue to write for GCI is absolutely perfect.”
 
In his new role with Harrell’s, Pat will help lead the company’s branding and customer outreach programs. “My business card might be different, but I will still be focused on helping turf pros achieve their goals and I will always be a passionate advocate for superintendents,” Jones said.
 
GIE Media is pleased to announce that Guy Cipriano has been promoted to editor of GCI. “This is long overdue,” Jones said. “Guy is a far better journalist than I ever was, a brilliant feature writer, and a master of social and digital media. He is the future of GCI.”
 
A key part of GCI's growth since joining the editorial team in 2014, Cipriano is considered one of the most versatile and talented content creators and distributors in magazine media, earning a selection to the prestigious 2018 Folio: 100. The list honors thought leaders, trendsetters, newsmakers, influencers and innovators from all segments of the magazine business. Cipriano also broke a media barrier last year, becoming what’s believed to be the first turf editor honored by the Golf Writers Association of America for his “When the Creek Rises” series about the historic flooding and inspirational recovery at The Greenbrier. His duties are far-reaching and include key content creation, editing print and digital content, covering industry events, hosting the Superintendent Radio Network podcast, and expanding the publication’s industry-leading social media efforts. 
 
From learning the game as a caddie in western Pennsylvania to working a part-time golf course maintenance job at the Penn State Golf Courses for superintendent Rick Padgett around a full-time sports writing job, golf has been a major part of Cipriano’s life for the past two decades. Before arriving at GCI, he spent more than a decade as a sports writer, covering professional, college and high school sports, including Penn State football and wrestling. 
 
Cipriano is a graduate of Indiana University, and a member of the Golf Writers Association of America and Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association. He has been honored by Folio, GWAA, American Society of Business Publication Editors, Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association, Ohio Associated Press Media Editors, Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors and Pennsylvania Newspaper Association. 
 
“Getting a chance to move Golf Course Industry’s editorial efforts forward is a once-in-a-career opportunity,” Cipriano said. “Our team of columnists and contributors isn’t just the best in our industry – it’s one of the best you will find at any publication. Having Pat still heavily involved in the print, digital and social media sides of the publication will further strengthen our positive relationships throughout the industry. We’re going to continue to inform, engage and surprise our readers while cultivating a strong network of contributors within the industry looking to share ideas and thoughts with a mass audience.”
      
GIE Media Group Publisher Dave Szy summed up the changes: “This is a win for everyone. We’ll miss having Pat around every day, but we’re delighted he’ll still be a voice for superintendents in GCI and at Harrell’s. And we couldn’t be more excited to see Guy take the helm. I hope everyone will join me in congratulating both Pat and Guy.”