Green Start Academy participants pose for photograph on golf course

19th Annual

Green Start Academy
December 11th-13th

Green Start Academy – World-Class Training for Assistant Superintendents

Green Start Academy is a leadership and development program co-hosted by Envu, John Deere and Rain Bird.

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Since 2006, the goal of this program has been to help assistant superintendents build a strong foundation for their careers as well as to support the future of golf courses and the entire golf industry by offering growth through networking, professional development courses and interactive peer groups.

Each year’s program features educational and mentoring sessions from some of the most respected superintendents and leaders across the industry. The Academy is a chance to forge connections and skills that can last a lifetime.

We’re looking for the top 50 assistant superintendents. Are you one of them?

Green Start Academy is open to assistant superintendents in the U.S. and Canada. Please note that previous Green Start Academy participants are not eligible to apply to the program, with the exception of the 2020 virtual class, who may reapply for consideration in this year’s or a future in-person program.

The application period for the 2024 Green Start Academy class opens June 12, 2024. Application does not guarantee acceptance. Applications must be received by 5:00 PM EDT Thursday, August 1, 2024. Please select the button below to apply through the GCSAA application portal. Applications will be carefully reviewed, selected applicants will be notified in early September.

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Note: A GCSAA login is required to access the portal. This is fast and easy to create. Select "Create" on the next screen, enter your email on the next, then complete a short form, and you will be instantly sent a login.

Program Timeline

Application period: June 12 – August 1
Panelist evaluation period: August 2 – August 29
Selection notification: Early September 
Program: December 11 – 13

Congratulations to the Green Start Academy Class of 2023

green start academy class of 2023 on golf course
Jonathan Baker
Henderson Country Club (Bobby Jones Links)
Sebastian Beck
Bear Trap Dunes
Colin Besetzny
Austin Country Club
Logan Braun
Rochester Golf and Country Club
Sean Callahan
Evergreen Country Club
Fernando Camacho
Deering Bay Yacht & Country Club
Sean Carroll
Baltusrol Golf Club
David Chrobak
Pinehurst No. 2
Drake Cleghorn
Muirfield Village Golf Club
Hunter Cooper
Gamble Sands
Emerson Coulter
Capilano Golf and Country Club
Nicholas Couceiro
The Quechee Club
Donald Croy
McNary Golf Club
Chase Davidson
Jeremy Ranch Golf and Country Club
Mitchell Donnachie
Pikewood National
Blake Doyle
Geronimo Course at Desert Mountain Club
Kendall Endres
Cornerstone Club
Connor Friend
Eastward Ho
Joseph Grasso
Rolling Hills Country Club
Zachary Guggenheim
Four Seasons Golf and Sports Club Orlando
Connor Hamilton
Kelowna Springs Golf Club
Liam Harrington
Marshfield Counrty Club
Alexandra Hills
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Payton Hobby
Valhalla Golf Club
Riley Hunter
Washington National Golf Course
Matthew Hutcherson
John's Island Club- North Course
Zack Ingle
Idle Hour Country Club
Kevin Johnson
Congressional Country Club
Jonathan Jones
The Reserve at Lake Keowee
Joselyn Kent
Duke University golf course
Zachary Lanman
Concord Country Club
Ashlee Lawrence
Cobble Beach Golf Links
Alex Leon
San Francisco Golf Club
James Luther
Boot Ranch
Eric Mabie
Pinehurst Resort and Country Club
Brant Mackey
Bobby Jones Golf Course
Derick Mara
Mayacama Golf Club
Brendan McDermott
Golf Club of Avon
Eric McGuire
Oyster Harbors Club
Preston Munsey
Ballyhack Golf Club
Chad Oberle
Hamilton Golf and Country Club
Christopher O'Malley
Avila Golf and Country Club
Mark Petrie
The Creek
Cameron Phelps
The Oak Park Country Club
William Reece
Philadelphia Cricket
Morgan Robins
Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club
Brady Scales
Congressional Country Club-Gold Course
Mark Schulze
The Club at Carlton Woods
David Serafin
Sleepy Hollow Country Club
Kyle Shannon
Breezy Bend Country Club
Matthew Smith
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club
Jack Thomasma III
Country Club of Detroit
Kasey Thompson
Green Tree Country Club
Brent Vardsveen
Desert Mountain
Jorden Vecchio
Beechmont Country Club
Caleb Wade
The University of Texas Golf Club
Russell Wallace
Greystone Golf & Country Club
Steven Wallace
Andalusia Country Club
Aaron Ward
Harbor Club on Lake Oconee
Conner Wilson
Vestavia Country Club
green start academy speaker presenting to assistance superintendents
green start academy speaker presenting to assistance superintendents

“The importance of networking and camaraderie is everything in this business, I was telling my group today that’s the key to moving up in my opinion.”
– Todd Bohn – Director of Agronomy, Desert Mountain Club


“I think the big things they can look forward to taking back is just the wealth of knowledge.”
– Stephen Tucker, Director of Golf Maintenance and operations, Four Seasons Orlando


“The Green Start Academy is a great platform for these young professionals to learn a little bit more about leadership. They’ve been to all the agronomic classes and talked aerification and top dressing. Here, we are talking about leadership and the future of the industry. The next generation of turf grass leaders are in this room.”
– John Cunningham General Manager, Grandfather Mountain Golf and Country Club.

green start academy attendees mingling after meal
green start academy speaker addressing assistant superintendents on the golf course
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