Paul L. Carter to receive President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship at 2015 Golf Industry Show

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America recognizes Tennessee superintendent with top environmental award

Lawrence, Kan. (Nov. 11, 2014) – Paul L. Carter, a certified golf course superintendent (CGCS) at Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, Tenn., for the last 13 years, has been selected to receive the 2015 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship by the board of directors of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

Carter, 45, will officially receive the award Wednesday, Feb. 25, during the Opening Session at the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio (Feb. 21-26). The Opening Session is presented in partnership with Syngenta.

The GCSAA President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to recognize “an exceptional environmental contribution to the game of golf; a contribution that further exemplifies the golf course superintendent’s image as a steward of the land.”

“Paul’s work is a shining example for all superintendents,” said GCSAA President Keith Ihms, CGCS. “Through his impactful environmental stewardship, he demonstrates the full benefits of what golf courses can be for recreation and a healthy environment through professional management. We are pleased to honor him for his accomplishments.”

A 22-year member of GCSAA, Carter has been actively working to promote environmentally friendly golf from the start. A graduate of Auburn University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in horticulture-landscape design, Carter previously won the GCSAA national public and overall Environmental Leadership in Golf Award in 2013 after four consecutive association regional awards for environmental leadership (2009-12).

He also brought Bear Trace to certification in 2008 as one of just seven golf courses in Tennessee in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. The course is one of only six in the U.S. to earn certification with the Golf Environment Organization.

Bear Trace has also been recognized twice for the Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award, in 2009 and 2012. The award-winning public course is a Jack Nicklaus design that is one of nine courses on the Tennessee Golf Trail.

In addition, Bear Trace has been designated a Groundwater Guardian Green Site as a result of Carter’s management, which has eliminated pollution in groundwater runoff. He has managed on-course changes as well: moving to a more suitable bermudagrass turf and reducing chemical use by 75 percent with a variety of conservation programs.

He also trimmed 50 acres of highly managed turf to save more than 7.4 million gallons of water annually.

“This is a tremendous honor,” said Carter. “I consider myself fortunate to be considered and even more blessed to receive the award.

“I am lucky to work for the Tennessee state parks system, so I have had support for every environmental project we wanted to do. Protecting the environment and our natural resources falls right in our wheelhouse. And we have been able to limit expenses and resources without sacrificing conditioning.”

Carter also has been active as president of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association for the past two years and has been instrumental in promoting Rounds 4 Research for the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association.

For a full list of past winners, visit www.gcsaa.org/community/awards.

About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 18,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the Golf Industry Show

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) presents the Golf Industry Show annually. It is an innovative trade show designed for the owners/operators of golf facilities, and the professional members of the golf course and club management industries. Featuring the GCSAA Golf Championships and GCSAA Education Conference, as well as the largest exhibit floor in the industry, the event combines education, networking and solutions for golf course superintendents, owners/operators, general managers, chief operating officers, architects and builders.

The Golf Industry Show is presented jointly with the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA), along with supporting organizations, the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), the National Golf Foundation (NGF), the United States Golf Association (USGA) and the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA). The 2015 event will be held Feb. 21-26 in San Antonio, Texas. Visit www.golfindustryshow.com.