GAM SUPERINTENDENT AWARD OF MERIT: Brian Schweihofer of Franklin Hills

GAM SUPERINTENDENT AWARD OF MERIT: Brian Schweihofer of Franklin Hills

FARMINGTON HILLS – Brian Schweihofer grew up in a family with a landscaping business and started playing golf at the age of 10.

“The landscape industry got me used to working outdoors and the attention to detail that comes with that type of work, and I loved golf, so at some point those two things came together,” he said.

Schweihofer, who has merged his passions for the past two decades as a golf course superintendent at Franklin Hills Country Club, has been named the 2026 winner of the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Superintendent Award of Merit.

“It is a very nice feeling to be recognized by your colleagues and the golf association,” said Schweihofer. “I haven’t thought about the overall feeling of winning the award, but just to be recognized is a huge honor.”

The annual award, presented since 2011, is presented to a Superintendent who has demonstrated leadership, professionalism, good character and high standards of conduct through activities related to the maintenance and care of golf course grounds.

Adam Ikamas, CGCS and executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), said MiGCSA leadership supports the choice through the GAM Green Committee.

“Brian is the epitome of the word professional,” he said. “His easy-going, friendly and welcoming demeanor is backed by a deep understanding of every aspect of the golf industry. His dedication to serving his fellow MiGCSA members is exceeded only by his dedication to his wonderful family.”

Carey Mitchelson, CGSC, director of operations at College Fields Golf Club in Okemos and executive director of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), nominated Schweihofer for the honor. Mitchelson was the winner of the 2025 Superintendent of Merit Award.

“I have known Brian for many years and his work ethic and skill level in our industry is exceptional and highly respected in the golf industry,” he said. “Additionally, his ability to communicate with others and provide common sense solutions on difficult topics is admired by his peers. When GAM Green Committee Chairs Dave Baughman and Jay Hults bestowed this honor to recognize the role of golf superintendents in the state of Michigan, it was greatly appreciated by our industry. Selecting Brian as the recipient is a testament to its authenticity.”

Born in Michigan and raised in St. Clair, Schweihofer studied turf at Michigan State University, interned at Crystal Downs Country Club, followed by positions at the Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods and Indianwood Golf & Country Club in Lake Orion before joining Franklin Hills.

He has served the industry for nine years as a board member of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) and has begun a second term on the board. He is also a former president.

“I have enjoyed being involved with the MTF and Michigan State over the past 10 to 12 years,” he said. “I enjoy being involved in education and am proud to mentor and assist future superintendents.”

He called working at Franklin Hills an honor and said working at a high-level club requires a constant pursuit of perfection.

“That makes the work more interesting for me and it is a part that I really enjoy,” he says. “It’s all part of striving to create a product that the people at Franklin Hills can be proud of, and I try to do that by always staying one step ahead of expectations, if possible.”

He said it was great to work with the Franklin Hills membership.

“Part of that is understanding that our members play at Oakland Hills, and they play the other great golf courses in the country, so they look for that level of golf at their club,” he said. “It’s not a static job. I’m up for the challenge. We’ve been involved in a renovation for the past three years and yet some members already want to know what’s next. It’s the challenge all superintendents must take on to enjoy their work.”

Schweihofer and his wife Julie have three children and live in Oxford. Their oldest child, Glenn, is graduating from Michigan State’s turfgrass program this spring and has landed his first job at Old Elm Club, a private club in Highland Park, Ill., that has a course dating back to 1913 and one of the top 100 courses in the United States.

“My family has witnessed my dedication to my profession and my work and I appreciate that,” he said. “It’s hard to take on that level of commitment, and I’ve talked to Glenn about that. He’s going to a high-level club like Franklin Hills, and he’ll find out very quickly.”

Schweihofer will be honored earlier this spring at the GAM annual meeting.

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