Award winners in the South Central region

No paparazzi, sequined gowns or red carpet, but the awards given out recently in the South Central region carry every bit as much meaning and prestige as the ones they hand out in Hollywood. Several chapters and turfgrass associations handed out well-deserved hardware to recognize achievements to their members. Congratulations to these award winners, and thank you for your contributions to the game of golf and the golf industry in the South Central region.

Dr. Greg Bell
Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation Hall of Fame

The Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF) inducted Emeritus Professor Dr. Greg Bell into the Oklahoma Turfgrass Hall of Fame during the opening of its 69th Oklahoma Turf Conference & Trade Show on Dec 2, 2014, in Stillwater, Okla. Induction into the Oklahoma Turfgrass Hall of Fame recognizes long and exceptional achievement as well as service to the members of the OTRF and the state's turfgrass industry.

Read more about Dr. Bell’s career »



John Neese
North Texas GCSA Distinguished Service Award

John Neese was the founder of Neese Materials, a company that supplied sand and materials to golf course superintendents in Texas for more than 30 years. John’s company set the standard for quality materials and service that is second to none. He is a former golf professional who started his business through the connections he made during construction and renovation projects in the DFW area. John was honored with many accolades and praises by former customers and employees at the North Texas GCSA banquet. He was joined by his lovely wife, Alice, and their children for the special evening.

Pictures and a nice note by Alice can be found on Facebook »

Kyle Embry
North Texas GCSA 
A.C. and Garry Bearden Superintendent of the Year Award

West Texas’ own Kyle Embry was honored with the North Texas GCSA’s highest honor also at the Annual Awards Banquet at the Northwood Club in Dallas. The Muleshoe, Texas, native was honored with a twist of roast by his former employer and mentor, Scott Ebers. Kyle is the superintendent at Gentle Creek Golf Club in Prosper, Texas. He has done an outstanding job creating championship conditions for Gentle Creek’s members and the many tournaments that the course hosts each year. Kyle’s golf prowess was also recognized during the evening. He is the two-time defending champion of the North Texas GCSA Ace January Superintendent Championship. In 2014, Kyle took advantage of a little home cooking by winning the championship on his home course.

Gentle Creek proudly announced Kyle’s award on its Facebook page »

George B. Manuel, CGCS
South Texas GCSA – Sonny Dubose Distinguished Service Award

George was truly surprised and honored by this prestigious award from his peers. He was nominated along with two very deserving candidates: John Freeman of Brookside Equipment and Sean Wilson of Falcon Point Golf Club. George is the superintendent at Royal Oaks Country Club and has been in Houston and a member of the South Texas GCSA for the majority of his long career. He has been an active member of the chapter and served as a board member, officer and president. He has mentored countless young people who have had successful careers in the golf course management industry. The members of Royal Oaks are very proud and appreciative of George’s commitment and dedication.

Visit the club’s Facebook page to read more about the award and view congratulatory messages from members and colleagues »

Mary Armstrong – Armstrong Golf Architects
Top 20 Sustainable Golf Course Design Practitioner
Mary Armstrong of Armstrong Golf Architects was recognized as a "TOP 20 SUSTAINABLE GOLF COURSE DESIGN PRACTITIONER" in the world by the internationally recognized Green Planet Architects.

In his email to Armstrong, Roy E. den Hoed, president of Green Planet Architects wrote, "it is my privilege to announce that you have been elected to our elite TOP 20 AWARDS of Sustainable Golf Course Architects for 2014. This prestigious award is addressed to a select number of Golf Course Architects who have established a sterling reputation as practitioners of Sustainable Golf Course Architecture. We consider your practice as one of the most visionary in Sustainable Golf Course Architecture."

Ms. Armstrong has completed design work in all areas of the U.S. and internationally. She stated, "In all, I've designed new courses or renovations for over 120 courses world-wide. While I am semi-retired, I still have a passion for those projects, large or small, that stir my imagination."

She is a long-time member of many local superintendent associations nationwide and most recently served as executive director of the Rio Grande GCSA.

"I am very pleased to be recognized in what I consider to be one of the most relevant and noteworthy areas of my practice.  Early in my career, I worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In large part, I owe my proficiency in this regard to the experience and knowledge I gained in those positions. I also would like to recognize the landscape architecture department at Iowa State University and the emphasis they placed on stewardship in my education there many years ago."

View her profile on the Green Planet Architects website »