The Oregon Golf Course Superintendents Association (OGCSA) held its Annual Meeting on May 22, 2025, with members gathering for a productive day of association business, educational updates, and celebration of excellence in our industry.

Board Elections
Superintendent Stephen Purdy of Willamette Valley Country Club was unanimously elected as OGCSA Board President, following two years of dedicated service as Vice President.

Jos Loy, Superintendent at Stewart Meadows Golf Course, was elected to serve as Vice President, while Steven Beyer, Superintendent at Illahe Hills Country Club, stepped into the role of Secretary/Treasurer.

In addition to the officer elections, three Superintendents were elected to serve 2-year Director terms on the OGCSA Board of Directors:

  • Jason Blythe, The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club
  • Kyle Watt, Awbrey Glen Golf Club
  • Michael Wright, Riverside Country Club

Rounding out the Board, Ryan Wyckoff of BASF was elected to the Affiliate Director position to serve a 2-year term.

Please welcome these new leaders elected to the Board. Their leadership and service to the association and the industry is appreciated.

2025-2026 Board of Directors
Left to Right: Josh Loy, Jason Blythe, Ryan Wyckoff, Sean Watts, John Ball, Stephen Purdy, Scott Moffenbeier, Caleb Smith. Not Pictured: Steven Beyer, Kyle Watt, Michael Wright.

Committee & Financial Reports
President Scott Moffenbeier opened the business meeting with a comprehensive report on the state of the association. He celebrated a busy calendar of events and praised the strong engagement of members. Moffenbeier shared insights from his March visit to GCSAA Headquarters in Lawrence, KS, where he attended the Chapter Leaders Symposium with Executive Director Alexis Wenker. He concluded with the exciting announcement that OGCSA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2028, with a Centennial Committee to be formed later this year.

Vice President and Education Chair Stephen Purdy highlighted the success of the 2024 and 2025 educational offerings, including the inaugural Assistant Superintendent Meeting held in February at Eugene Country Club. He thanked Caleb Smith (Assistant Superintendent, Eugene CC) for his leadership in organizing the event.

Secretary/Treasurer Josh Loy provided a positive financial report, noting the association’s continued strong financial position, thanks to solid membership support and industry partnerships. He acknowledged record-breaking results from the Rounds 4 Research Auction, which help fund the OGCSA Legacy Scholarships, Oregon Turfgrass Foundation, and other initiatives.

Before adjourning the business meeting, Purdy recognized outgoing Board members:

  • Scott Moffenbeier received the Presidential Recognition Frame for his two years of service as President.
  • Corey Beelke (Tetherow Golf Club) was honored for his four years on the Board.
  • Cameron Callaway (Pacific Golf & Turf – RainBird) was thanked for three years of dedicated service as Affiliate Director.
  • Brian Koffler (Waverley Country Club) received special recognition as he steps off the Board after serving since 2019.
  • Shane Hadwick (Orchard Hills Golf & Country Club) was also acknowledged for stepping in to fill an open Director position this past year.

Scott Moffenbeier – Brian Koffler
Scott Moffenbeier – Cameron Callaway

Scholarships & Awards Presentations
Following the business meeting, Josh Loy recognized the OGCSA scholarships recipients:

Legacy Scholarships were awarded to graduating seniors Joseph Beyer (Blanchet Catholic High School), son of Steven Beyer, and Maci Moffenbeier (Bend High School), daughter of Scott Moffenbeier. Both Joseph and Maci were each awarded with a scholarship in the amount of $1000 to assist them in their pursuit of higher education in the fall at University of Idaho and Bosie State University.

Steven Beyer with Son Joseph
Maci Moffenbeier with Father Scott

PACE Course Scholarships were awarded to Dylan Larsen (Bend Golf Club) and Brittany Wohlsein (Pacific Dunes at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort), covering full registration to the OSU Turfgrass Management program.

Scott Moffenbeier – Dylan Larsen
Brittany Wohlsein

Always an honor to recognize the hardworking assistant’s and superintendents in our association with the Assistant of the Year and Superintendent of the Year Award. Nominated by their peers, this year Joe Leland (Royal Oaks Country Club) was named the Assistant Superintendent of the Year and Jason Blythe was named Superintendent of the Year.

Jason Blythe – Stephen Purdy
Joe Leland – Stephen Purdy

The most heartfelt moment of the awards ceremony was the induction of Russell “Russ” Vandehey, CGCS (Oregon Golf Club) into the OGCSA Hall of Fame. Nominated by fellow superintendent Gordon Kiyokawa, CGCS, and the OGCSA Awards Committee, it was a privilege to honor Russ as the 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee.

Past President Scott Moffenbeier presented the award, recognizing Russ for more than 40 years of dedicated service to the golf industry and the OGCSA. Throughout his distinguished career, Russ has served on numerous boards and committees across the OGCSA, Northwest Turfgrass Association (NTA), and the Oregon Turfgrass Foundation (OTF), helping to shape and strengthen the region’s turfgrass community.

Most recently, Russ has been an integral part of navigating the possible new Turfgrass Professor at Oregon State University as well as the replacement of the Guistina Endowed Turfgrass Professor after Dr. Alec Kowalewski’s transition.

Russ’s commitment to environmental stewardship has earned him 11 GCSAA Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards, and his earlier contributions were honored with the OGCSA Richard Malpass Distinguished Service Award in 2000.

Trudy Vandehey with Husband Russ Vandehey, CGCS

Allied Association Updates

Rounding out the morning program, we were honored to welcome GCSAA President T.A. Barker from Fore Lakes Golf Course in Utah. Barker delivered an engaging and entertaining presentation, providing a snapshot of current GCSAA initiatives and updates. We are sincerely grateful for his time, leadership, and ongoing support of local GCSA chapters like ours.

Following Barker’s presentation, Rocky Dallum—a contract lobbyist and legislative consultant with Oregonians for Food & Shelter—joined us to provide a timely and insightful update on the current 2025 Oregon Legislative Session.

A staple favorite of our Annual Meeting is the presentation from Oregon State University Turfgrass team, who shared valuable updates on current research and academic programs. Thank you to Dr. Alec Kowalewski, Brian McDonald, Emily Braithwaite, and Dr. Chas Schmid for joining us.

Those that stayed for golf were treated to sunny afternoon with challenging putting surfaces provided by host Superintendent Curt Morgan. A particularly unforgettable moment: Past President Scott Moffenbeier capped off his presidency with a hole-in-one on #13—congratulations, Scott!

Special thanks to Curt Morgan and McMenamins Edgefield for hosting the meeting and to all OGCSA members for attending. We also extend our gratitude to our event sponsor, Turf Star Western, for their continued support.