GCSAA: Celebrating 100 Years of Care Behind the Game

by David Phipps, GCSAA Northwest Regional Representative

“No life is, or can be, self-existent. We depend on each other.”

Those words, spoken by Colonel John Morley, the founding father of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), set the tone for an organization that has quietly shaped the game of golf for a century. This year, the GCSAA celebrates its Centennial, and Morley’s belief in collaboration, shared purpose, and pride in turf care remains at the heart of the profession.

(The Peaks & Prairies Chapter of the GCSAA is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. The Oregon Chapter will celebrate its centennial in 2028.)

For golfers, the impact of the GCSAA is felt every time they step onto the first tee. Smooth greens, consistent fairways, and healthy playing surfaces don’t happen by chance. They are the result of planning, science, and countless decisions made by golf course superintendents and their teams. For 100 years, the GCSAA has supported its members through education, research, and leadership development to improve the golf experience.

“Golf courses don’t just happen – they are carefully managed ecosystems,” says Steve Kealy, CGCS and GCSAA Presidents Award recipient. “When superintendents are supported with education and research, golfers benefit through better playing conditions and healthier courses.”

That connection between preparation and play is especially clear in the Pacific Northwest. Golf courses across the region operate in diverse and often demanding environments, from coastal rainfall and cool springs to summer heat, drought, and wildfire smoke. Northwest superintendents must constantly adapt, balancing playability with environmental responsibility. GCSAA-supported best-management practices guide those decisions, ensuring courses remain enjoyable while protecting water resources, wildlife habitat, and the surrounding landscapes that golfers value as much as the game itself.

“Stewardship and playability go hand in hand,” Kealy stated. “Our goal has always been to leave the game better than we found it.”

Over the past century, the role of the superintendent has evolved just as the game has. Advances in turfgrass science, irrigation technology, and environmental management have transformed how courses are maintained. The GCSAA has played a leading role in that progress, connecting superintendents with university research, developing certification programs, and promoting practical solutions that work in the real world.

The Centennial Celebration is not only about honoring the past, but it’s also about recognizing the people who make golf possible today and preparing for what comes next. Throughout 2026, GCSAA will highlight stories from across the country, including the Pacific Northwest, showcasing how modern course management blends tradition with innovation. Programs such as First Green, which introduces students to STEAM learning through golf courses, and Rounds 4 Research, which funds critical turfgrass research, demonstrate the association’s continued investment in the game’s future.

For golfers, the GCSAA’s 100th anniversary is a reminder that great golf depends on more than a good swing or the latest equipment. It relies on a century of shared knowledge, collaboration, and care. As the association enters its second hundred years, Colonel Morley’s words still ring true: Golf is better when we depend on each other – on the course, behind the scenes, and throughout the communities that surround the game.