Craig Ironside Awarded Golf Course Superintendent Of the Year

Press release from Tampa Sports Authority:

July 17, 2020

Rogers Park's Golf Course Superintendent Craig Ironside has been awarded the
2020 Superintendent of the Year by the West Central Chapter PGA. The WCCPGA
Superintendent of the Year Award is an honor the Association can bestow on a
working superintendent, whose contributions to the game best exemplify support
of the PGA Professional. This award embraces a wide range of services
executed by the superintendent:

Demonstration of outstanding qualities of leadership
Demonstration of strong moral character
Substantial record of service to the Association and the game of golf.
Well-regarded as a supporter of the PGA Golf Professionals

"I would like to thank the West Central Chapter of the PGA for presenting me
with the Superintendent of the Year award. I am honored and proud to receive
this recognition." said Craig Ironside,"While my name appears on the award
this was truly a team effort. Our success over the last two years can be
directly attributed to the hard work and dedication of the entire golf course
maintenance staff. A special thank you to Al Schram my Assistant
Superintendent. I promise, we will not stop putting forth every effort each
day to continue improving the golf course."

"Rogers Park has consistently been one of the best public golf courses in the
Tampa market since Craig joined our team two years ago. The improvement of
golf course conditions at Rogers Park has contributed to a substantial
increase in revenues." states Kennie Sims, Vice President of Golf Operations
for the Tampa Sports Authority. The Tampa Sports Authority manages Rogers Park
along with Babe Zaharias and Rocky Point Golf Courses for the City of Tampa.

Rogers Park Golf Course, built in 1952, has evolved as one of Tampa, Florida's
best-kept secrets. The beautiful 18-hole golf facility is steeped in history
and rich in heritage. During the days of segregation, Rogers Park was the only
picnic area for the African-American community in Tampa. The park took the
name of its contributor, G.D. Rogers. After church on Sundays, many families
came to enjoy the swings, slides, baseball diamond and picnic area. Mayor
Curtis Hixon gave permission to a group of caddies from Palma Ceia Country
Club to build a 9-hole golf course. The first Head Golf Professional, Willie
Black, directed his group of volunteers, and, with meticulous care, all of the
tree removal and shaping was done by hand. Upon its completion in 1952, the
Rogers Park Golf Club was born.

Contact: Bobby Silvest-Tampa Sports Authority- 813-350-6500

This press release was produced by Tampa Sports Authority. The views expressed here are the author's own.