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Iowa Turfgrass Institute
Jeff Lamoureux | Executive Director | Iowa Turfgrass Institute
The Iowa Turfgrass Institute board of directors has selected Jeff Lamoureux to lead the organization beginning February Lamoureux replaces Randy Robinson, who has accepted the role of Regional Director of GCSAA after six years of serving the Iowa Turfgrass Institute as Executive Director. As Executive Director, Lamoureux will continue to serve as the Chief Staff Officer under the direction of the Board President and the Board of Directors. Which includes managing the Institute, its headquarters, and all programs within the established guidelines.
Lamoureux comes to the Iowa Turfgrass Institute after seven years with Heart of Iowa Habitat for Humanity serving Boone, Greene and Guthrie Counties. During his time as Executive Director, Heart of Iowa Habitat built several homes, and over 50 repair projects were completed within the service area. Lamoureux also brings with him over 15 years of experience in the Parks and Recreation field making stops in Fort Dodge, Orange City, LeMars, Perry and Jefferson.
Jeff and his wife, Jill, currently reside in Jefferson where they are both very involved in the community. Jeff has coached many youth sports throughout the years and is currently the varsity cross country coach and assistant girls basketball coach for Greene County. Jeff also serves on the Greene County Veteran’s Commission, has previously served on the Greene County school board and volunteers with the Jefferson Chamber of of Commerce. Jill is the Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools for the Greene County School District. They have four children a son, Reid, an Iowa State graduate currently living in Omaha and daughters; Regan, a senior at the University of Iowa, Kirsten, a sophomore also at the University of Iowa and Kassie a sophomore at Harding University, Searcy, Arkansas.
Lamoureux shared, “I will take with me many fond memories and cherish the relationships built while working towards Habitat’s vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. But I am very excited to be given the opportunity to lead the Iowa Turfgrass Institute working alongside the dedicated professionals in the golf course, field turf and lawn care industries. I hope to carry on the exceptional work accomplished by previous leadership and board volunteers.”
These four Iowa PGA Professionals will be competing in the 55th PGA Professional Championship, April 17-20, 2022, at Southern Highlands Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. A full field of 312 players will compete in the PGA Professional Championship with several key exemptions at stake.
Sean McCarty, PGA Brown Deer Golf Club Chad Proehl, PGA Sugar Creek Muni GC Chris Black, PGA Hickory Grove GC
Jeff Schmid, PGA Brown Deer Golf Club Jay Giannetto, PGA Elmwood CC
Alternates:
The alternates in order are Darin Fisher of The Preserve on Rathbun Lake and Judd Gibb of Hanson’s Custom Golf.
2022 Iowa Women’s Golf Summit
May 22, 2022 | Stone Creek GC
Jan Herke, Director of Urbandale Parks and Recreation Department, will share her experiences as a college basketball standout (5th leading scorer at St. Cloud State University), WNBA Referee and now avid amateur golf competitor. Herke, an Ankeny G & CC member, has found camaraderie amongst the active membership of which she is a part of. Herke will share what first sparked her interest in the game and how she is encouraging more women to enjoy the game she loves.
Susan Bond, 30-year member of the PGA of America, has most recently served as the PGA Member Relationship Manager for PGA Magazine. An accomplished player, including victories at the 2019 North Florida Section Northern Chapter Senior Championship (first female to win), 2020 Tennessee Women's Open Champion and three-time New England Women's Open Champion. Susan will help moderate group discussions and share her experiences as a PGA Member. She will also provide a national perspective as she assists women to connect and network through her work with the PGA Magazine Women's Leadership Platform.
The Iowa Golf Council (IGC) is made up of the four major allied associations in Iowa – Iowa Golf Association, Iowa Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents of America (GCSAA), the Tall Corn Chapter of the Club Managers Association (CMAA) and the Iowa PGA. This was loosely formed allied board over the past few years that worked hard in 2020 to keep golf in Iowa open along with answering the many questions that were coming forth with Governor Proclamations, National Guidelines and in some cases what the local authorities were handing down.
In the Spring of 2022, the IGC officially became a 501 ©3 Corporation by the IRS. As a group we look forward to putting COVID behind us as we begin working towards getting the word out about golf in Iowa and Western Illinois. The IGC will begin working with the local and state Tourism associations to further golf as tourism attraction for those wishing to visit our state(s) or just to take a day trip.
Past Iowa PGA President John Valliere currently serves as the Eastern Iowa Tourism Association (EITA) President. They are working on all things involving tourism in Iowa, including golf. We thank John for his continued efforts about bringing forth action on getting golf recognized as a tourism draw to the region.
The IGC also administers two events for those interested in the industry in golf. The Iowa Golf Summit is held every other year, last one in March of 2022, to bring industry veterans together to learn more about what each other are doing. Paul Long was our KeyNote Speaker and did a wonderful job of speaking.
On May 22, 2022, the 2nd ever Iowa Woman’s Golf Summit will be held at Stone Creek. Click here for more information and register for this year’s event.
The Iowa Golf Council also commissioned an Economic Impact Study in 2015 to show the impact that golf has on the state. In 2015, Iowa’s $606.1 million dollar golf economy expenditures supported total statewide with $72.3 million in state and local tax revenue. Click here to view that Economic Impact Study.
Please contact our office at 319-648-0026 or email Greg Mason at gmason@pgahq.com for more information on the Iowa Golf Council.
Iowa Golf Council Board and Officers
Iowa PGA Greg Mason, PGA, President Aaron Krueger, PGA John Valliere, PGA
Iowa Golf Association Chad Pitts, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Eby Mike Pape
GCSAA - Iowa Chapter Jeff Lamoureux Chad Graaf Jim Sedrel
Tall Corn Chapter - CMAA Shane Hart, Vice President Rheane Kinney Matt Ruehling
