“One of the best parts of my role is announcing our award winners,” said Cathy Harbin, chair of the NGCOA board of directors. “These individuals and facilities are passionate about our industry, providing world-class experiences and encouraging and inspiring others – today we get to shine a spotlight on them. It’s an honor to be the one to tell them that their dedication to golf is being recognized.”This year’s winners will be recognized at NGCOA’s 2026 Golf Business Conference, held January 19-21, 2026 in Orlando, Florida. Visit GolfBusinessConference.com for more event information. Click here to view a list of past NGCOA award winners.
“Each of these award recipients represents the very best of what NGCOA membership stands for,” said Rachel Carter, Senior Director of Membership at NGCOA. “Our community is one of our most valuable member benefits, and these awards consistently operate at the highest levels, setting standards of excellence that inspire and elevate fellow owners and operators across the country.
The 2026 NGCOA Awards and Winners
The NGCOA Jemsek Public Course of the Year Award, named for the late Joe Jemsek (widely regarded as the “Patriarch of Public Golf”), recognizes a privately owned golf facility that exemplifies excellence in operations, community impact and contributions to the game of golf. The recipient of this award will be a model for the industry, demonstrating a strong financial foundation, an exceptional employee culture and a deep commitment to both community and sport.
– Erin Hills Golf Course, Erin, Wisconsin
The NGCOA Municipal Course of the Year award recognizes a municipal golf course that sets the standard for excellence in public golf through exceptional management, outstanding customer and community service, and thoughtful contributions to the growth of the game of golf. This facility is a model for how municipal golf can provide high-quality experiences both on and off the golf course in a financially sustainable manner. This facility also demonstrates ingenuity in using the NGCOA Municipal Operators Community to benchmark KPIs and leverage the professional community to share ideas and solve problems.
– Osprey Point Golf Course, Boca Raton, Florida
The NGCOA Resort Course of the Year award recognizes a resort golf course that provides an exceptional experience in all facets of operations – from turf management to guest engagement – while making meaningful contributions to the growth and vitality of the game of golf. The recipient of this award will exemplify excellence in resort-level golf experiences, setting the bar for service, design and leadership in the industry.
-Walt Disney World Golf, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
The NGCOA Don Rossi Award is presented for a significant and long-lasting contribution to the NGCOA:
– Barbara Searle, Membership Member, National Golf Course Owners Association
The NGCOA Paul Porter Award recognizes an NGCOA member who has left a lasting mark on a national or international affiliate through the highest level of dedication, service and leadership.
– Elaine Gebhardt, executive director of the New England Golf Course Owners Association
The NGCOA also recognizes and thanks the NGCOA Awards Committee, whose thoughtful evaluation and dedication ensure that our members’ achievements are honored with the care and accuracy they deserve. Awards programs like these play a vital role in industry associations: they highlight exemplary performance, reinforce best practices and shine a light on leaders whose work strengthens the entire industry.
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