GCBAA | 7
tion’s Scholarship Program was restruc-
tured to create relationships with national
Universities whose students are the future
leaders of the golf industry. The Program
awarded its first recipients with $1,000
scholarships and complimentary two year
memberships to the GCBAA. Yet, the
foundation has supported a variety of oth-
er programs that benefit society and the
golf industry. The association’s greatest
impact may be evidenced in its advanc-
ing of sustainability practices which are
the hallmark of professional golf course
design and construction.
ENVIRONMENTAL
STEWARDSHIP
The GCBAA is dedicated to advancing
and continuously improving the profes-
sion of golf course construction while
serving the interests of its member com-
panies. Sustainability, eco-sensitivity,
management of natural resources; Apel
says these have been at the forefront of
considerations by professional golf course
builders long before “green” became such
a buzzword in industry. “If people only
realized how good these builders are at
preserving environments and conserv-
ing resources such as water, the industry
wouldn’t get some of the criticism it has
gotten, but that comes from people who
just don’t understand. From the architects
who draft designs, to the builders who
construct the course, to those who oversee
ongoing maintenance, the approach has
always been about working with natural
