The Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Announces Environmental Achievement Award

John Anderson, Golf Course Superintendent wins Environmental Award of Excellence

Portland, Ore. (March 28, 2008):  The Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (OGCSA) has recognized John F. Anderson as the first recipient of the Michael S. Hindahl Environmental Award of Excellence.  The award will be presented at the Oregon Superintendents Annual Meeting at Salishan Resort and Spa on May 4th.

Anderson, a 36 year veteran superintendent, has worked at notable clubs such as Portland Golf Club, The Oregon Golf Club, Coeur d’Alene Resort and most recently Pronghorn Golf Club. John has always been a steward of the environment which he credits his parents for instilling at a young age, but it was at The Oregon Golf Club that he realized he could influence the environment in a way that could benefit the golf course conditions.  There, he realized he could have greater control over a green's playing surface by spoon-feeding the turf small amounts of nitrogen instead of generic widespread application of the fertilizer. As a result, he saw numerous additional benefits including greater control over pests and diseases. This methodology also allowed overall reduction in the use of pesticides, often going multiple years between any chemical applications. 

Part of his success is changing hole locations every day. Anderson commented, “It gives me the opportunity to check the moisture levels, and fertility levels and to scout for diseases first hand.”  He feels it keeps him in tune with what is happening on the course at all times.  This new mindset is regularly instilled with his employees, who in turn, have taken his philosophy to their own courses when they moved up.  David Phipps, Superintendent at Stone Creek Golf Club, is one who benefited from Anderson's mentorship. “John helped me develop the skills I now possess as a superintendent which has enabled me to manage Stone Creek Golf Club in an environmental friendly manor” noted Phipps.

Upon learning of the Audubon Sanctuary Program while at The Oregon Golf Club, Anderson implemented the program and became one of the first in Oregon to become certified. He revived Coeur d’Alene to the grandeur that it is today, and went on to help construct the Fazio and the Nicklaus courses at Pronghorn Golf Club in Redmond, Ore., two of the premiere new courses in Oregon. He has proved that he can maintain the best conditions ever seen on a golf course with minimal chemical usage. 

In 2004, Anderson was also recognized with the GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Award for best national private golf course.

About the Michael S. Hindahl Environmental Award of Excellence

Named in honor of the late Michael S. Hindahl who was a friend of the Oregon Superintendents and an environmental advocate. Hindahl had a Ph.D. in Microbiology and worked for Oregon Health Science University researching AIDS. With a passion for golf and a desire to apply his skills to the industry, he helped the Oregon Superintendents pioneer its Environmental Stewardship Guidelines.  Just prior to his passing in 2005, Oregon Superintendents gained national notoriety by winning the national association's Presidents Award for Environmental Stewardship for their work with the Guidelines.  It is the intent of the Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association to recognize superintendents that have shown leadership and environmental fortitude that exemplify the life of Michael S. Hindahl.