Matt Gourlay, CGCS, MG, AGS, superintendent at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho, has been recognized for his exemplary commitment to sustainability by receiving the 2025 President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).
During the Sunrise Celebration on February 5, 2025, he will be honored in a meaningful partnership with Syngenta at the esteemed 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego, California.
The President’s Award for Environmental Stewardship was established in 1991 to honor outstanding contributions to environmental sustainability in golf.
This initiative highlights the vital role of golf course superintendents as dedicated stewards of the land, showcasing their commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Matt Gourlay, CGCS, MG, AGS – background & innovations
Gourlay has taken on the role of superintendent at Hillcrest Country Club since December 2023, building on his impressive 16 years of experience as the superintendent and director of golf course operations at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas.
With 22 years of membership in the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Gourlay employs a proactive approach to environmental stewardship to reduce inputs on the golf course while ensuring exceptional playing surfaces.
His Natural Resource Management Plan at Colbert Hills successfully integrated best management practices focused on
- pest management,
- environmental planning,
- water conservation,
- water quality, and
- efficient waste management and
- energy usage management.
Gourlay advocates for the Minimum Level for Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN) approach to soil nutrient management. This innovative strategy not only aims to reduce fertilizer inputs but also supports the cultivation of healthy, high-quality turf.
Through these efforts, he is committed to enhancing the sustainability and quality of golf course maintenance.
Awards & recognitions
Gourlay has been a prominent figure in environmental stewardship for many years and has received several prestigious awards from the GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.
His accolades include
- the 2018 Innovative Conservation Award,
- the 2019 Natural Resource Conservation Award, and
- the 2023 Healthy Land Stewardship Award.
- Additionally, he was a runner-up for the Communications and Outreach Award in 2020 and 2022 and the Healthy Land Stewardship Award in 2021.