GCSAA’s chief operating officer to retire

By Alistair October 9, 2022 07:25

Bob Randquist, CGCS, the chief operating officer (COO) for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), has announced he will retire on October 15.

In his time as COO, Randquist managed a broad and complex array of functions and facilitated multiple projects to meet the objectives of the association. While he represented GCSAA and maintained relationships with industry and allied partners, his main focus was on internal stakeholders and being an integral part of the headquarters’ culture.

Randquist joined the GCSAA staff in May 2018 after 20 years serving as director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Florida. As a superintendent, Randquist was a highly engaged GCSAA member and served as the association’s president in 2011. He has been a GCSAA member for 46 years and became a certified golf course superintendent in 1985.

“Serving GCSAA and its members has allowed me to further contribute to an organisation and membership that provided the educational and professional development opportunities that helped me enjoy a successful career as a golf course superintendent,” Randquist said. “It has been a pleasure to work with CEO Rhett Evans, the GCSAA board and all the GCSAA team members. I know that their efforts will continue to help our members increase their skills, professionalism and earn recognition for the work they are so passionate about.”

Randquist graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1972 with a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering. While training in engineering, he spent his college years working on the crew at Trosper Park Golf Course in Oklahoma City. Upon graduating, he was offered the assistant superintendent position at Trosper Park GC, and his career path was set.

In addition to his staff and board roles at GCSAA, Randquist also served the golf industry in other organisations. On the local level, he served on the board of the Palm Beach Golf Course Superintendents Association and was president of the Oklahoma Golf Course Superintendents Association and Oklahoma Turfgrass Research Foundation. Randquist served on the USGA Green Section Committee for 27 years and has been honored by the USGA with its Ike Grainger Award, which recognises 25 years of volunteer service.

Randquist shared his expertise with others as a seminar instructor for the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and has been a speaker at industry events for organisations around the world, including the USGA, PGA of America, Canadian Golf Superintendents Association and the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association.

Many people in the industry are wishing Bob well here.