Recent Event

Annual Meeting & Awards: A Celebration of Progress & Community

NE-SFMA’s Annual Meeting and Awards Lunch at the NERTC in Providence was an enthusiastic celebration of community, leadership, and forward momentum. With over 100 members in attendance, the event offered a mix of reconnecting with peers, honoring excellence, and exploring how the association is shaping the future of the industry.

2025 Board of Directors (l-r): Brendon Connor, Andrew Carlise, Bryan Conant, Chris Lilly, Art Goodhind, Mike Malvoso, Scott Vose, Tom Barry, Adam Ferrucci, Scott Lagana (Missing: Chris McGinty).

President Art Goodhind kicked off the event with a warm welcome and thanks to our exclusive meeting sponsor, Tom Irwin, for their invaluable support. He also recognized the dedication of our board members, trustees, and NERTF representatives—whose commitment keeps NE-SFMA moving forward.

Sports Field Manager of the Year award was presented to Jason Chisholm by his colleague and friend Brian Schools.

In his “Year in Review,” Art highlighted NE-SFMA’s strategic direction, anchored by four foundational pillars:

• Delivering high-impact education and networking opportunities

• Inspiring and engaging the next generation of turf field professionals

• Recognizing and celebrating industry excellence

• Fostering a connected, supportive membership community

The Greenhaven Turf Care Team joined Brian Linehan in celebrating his Commercial Partner of the Year award.

A major highlight was the success of the inaugural DeWolf Memorial Golf Tournament, which raised essential funds to launch new student scholarships and grants, as well as a benevolence fund designed to support members and families in times of unexpected need.

The event culminated in recognizing two outstanding leaders in our field:

Jason Chisholm, CPSI, of Freeport, Maine Public Schools, was named 2025 Sports Field Manager of the Year, and Brian Linehan of Greenhaven Turf Care received the honor of Commercial Partner of the Year. Congratulations to both for their exceptional contributions to our industry.

Art Goodhind presents UConn graduate student, Tessa Hospod with a $1000 Mruk scholarship.

NE-SFMA Scholarship & Grant Opportunities

$1500 Mark DeWolf

Outdoor Education Scholarship

Deadline: June 10

Named in honor of the late Mark DeWolf, an avid outdoorsman and life-long sports field manager, this scholarship is awarded annually in July at NE-SFMA’s DeWolf Memorial Golf Tournament.

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$1000 Charles K. Mruk Scholarship

Deadline: December 10

Named in honor of the late Charles K. Mruk, a dedicated member of the turf industry in New England, who believed in the importance of education and professionalism in our field, this scholarship is awarded annually in March at the New England Regional Turfgrass Conference in Providence, RI.

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$500 DeWolf Direct Tool Kit Award

Deadline: June 10

These grants are available to high school students who are planning to go directly to work in a turfgrass related field after graduation. The award will be in the form of an industry supplier gift card that will be used to help with new job-related expenses (e.g. tools, safety gear). It will be given to recipients in July.

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$500 DeWolf Green Student Program Grants

Deadline: December 10

These grants are available to public school programs (elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as vocational and technical schools). The intention of the grant is to help support projects, equipment, educational programming, or transportation costs related to turfgrass management or environmental studies.

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Learn more at NE-SFMA.org and spread the word about these new opportunities!