Sandy Clark, CGCS Barona Creek Golf Club

Bob Farren, CGCS Pinehurst Resort

Tim Hiers, CGCS The Old Collier Golf Club

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Class A members Sandy Clark, Bob Farren and Tim Hiers are among Golf Inc. magazine's annual 20 Most Admired Operators list.

"Congratulations to Sandy, Bob and Tim on this tremendous recognition," said GCSAA President James R. Fitzroy, CGCS. "This continues to show how GCSAA members are critical to the success of the facility and valued leaders in the industry."

Golf Inc. surveyed more than 100 golf industry leaders, including developers, management company executives, consultants and brokers, and had them rate golf course operators based on "how well they have demonstrated consistent excellence in successfully directing operation at a golf course." Previous honorees have not been eligible in the past, but this year the magazine placed all previous winners on the ballot, along with new nominees submitted by readers.

Clark is the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at Barona Creek Golf Club in Lakeside, Calif. He was named to the 2007 Golf Inc. Most Admired Operators list and is a multiple GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards recipient, including the 2004 national resort winner. A 20-year GCSAA member, Clark has been the superintendent at Barona Creek Golf Club for 10 years. Located 28 miles from downtown San Diego, Barona Creek encompasses more than 200 acres, with playable terrain totaling 90 acres. As a certified Signature Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, primary consideration has been given to protecting the wildlife habitat located around the course.

Farren, a GCSAA certified golf course superintendent, is the director of golf course and grounds management at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club. He was named to the 2008 Golf Inc. Most Admired Operators list and helped Pinehurst win the 2007 GCSAA President's Award for Environmental Stewardship. A 30-year GCSAA member, Farren has been at Pinehurst for 25 years. He oversees the sprawling resort grounds and the nine golf courses, managing a staff of 180 to 240 people, depending on the season, as well as more than 150 interns over the past 20 summers. Farren also hosted Green Links, highlights from EDGE, a monthly feature on The Environmental Institute for Golf's (EIFG) website in 2008.

Hiers is the GCSAA certified golf course superintendent at The Old Collier Golf Club in Naples, Fla. A 32-year GCSAA member, Hiers has been the superintendent at Old Collier for 10 years. He won the 2009 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Award. Hiers has helped supply the U.S. EPA with economic impact data related to the loss of methyl bromide, and assisted with submission of annual critical use exemption applications to the agency. The Old Collier Golf Club has been featured in the Sustainability Case Study Series, a collection of Florida-specific teaching cases produced through the Educational Alliance for Sustainable Florida. Hiers is also working with the EIFG's energy conservation working group to examine existing best management practices and identify performance statements for the entire golf facility as part of Golf's Drive Toward Sustainability.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 20,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA's mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association's philanthropic organization, The Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.