McCullough Wins President’s Award
The GCSANC honored NCGA staff member Mike McCullough with its “President’s Award.”
At its annual meeting held January 7 at San Jose Country Club, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California (GCSANC) recognized Northern California Golf Association Director of Environmental and Water Resources Mike McCullough (right) with its inaugural “President’s Award” for his contributions to the turfcare industry. More than 100 association members and industry representatives attended the ceremonial event.
The “President’s Award” was created to honor an individual who has gone above-and-beyond in assisting superintendents while also enhancing the association. McCullough’s contributions span a multitude of areas such as serving as the special assistant to the executive director for the California Alliance of Golf, a multi-association organization dedicated to golf and the environment. He is also a supporter of GCSANC and CGCSA education and research efforts, has been a volunteer for the Water Quality Monitoring Program in conjunction with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, is a graduate of the Water Leaders Program sponsored by the Water Education Foundation and has served as the co-coordinator of the user’s forum at the annual meeting of the WateReuse Association, an organization committed to advancing the beneficial and efficient use of water resources. McCullough designed and implemented the NCGA’s Assistant Superintendent Boot Camp, an annual program that prepares assistant superintendents for the next stage in their careers. He also is in demand as a speaker on water issues, and travels nationally as an advocate for golf and environmental issues.
Earlier in his NCGA career, which began in 1999, McCullough served as director of turfgrass services where he provided leadership and ongoing mentoring to candidates in the golf course superintendent intern program, many of whom now hold superintendent positions at some of Northern California’s most prestigious courses. Prior, he was a horticulture specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. He holds a Masters of Science in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University and a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture, minor in Plant Pathology from California State Polytechnic University –Pomona.