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F o r e Y o ur I nf o r m at i o n
2021 TURF GRASS HALL OF FAME HONOREES At the 2021 Scholarship & Research tournament Association President Scott McCullough had the honor of announcing the induction of four of our members into the Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendent’s Association Turfgrass Hall of Fame. This honor is given to those individuals that have been consummate professionals and advocates for the golf maintenance industry at local, state, and national levels over their entire careers. Those individuals selected were Dale Achondo, Tom Unruh, Fritz Howell, and Jim Ferrin, CGCS. It was with great sadness that Tom Unruh, Fritz Howell, and Dale Achondo are no longer with us. We were fortunate that Mrs. Irene Achondo and her son Steven Achondo could join us and accept the plaque on her husband’s behalf. Dale worked for City of Sacramento for 37 years. He started with the city as a recreation supervisor In 1959. While in that position in 1962 he was appointed to a committee that over would oversee the National Men’s Public Links Championship at Haggin Oaks. On March 1st 1966 he was named superintendent of golf for the City of Sacramento. Later he was named City Golf Manager. He retired from that position in 1996. During his tenure he oversaw the construction and development of Bing Maloney’s executive 9 hole G.C. and he also oversaw the development and construction Bartley Cavanaugh for the city. Dale was nominated as the SNGCSA’s Distinguished Member of the Year in 2005. Pictured at right is Mrs. Achondo, her son, Steven and Scott McCullough.
Bob Thomas, long time city manager for the city of Sacramento. Said “Dale has done more than any other city employee in the city’s history in promoting the game of golf” . It was with appreciation for his dedication to our industry and to the superintendents that he helped along the way that Dale is honored by the SNGCSA. Fritz Howell was nominated as well this year. Fritz was the long term superintendent at North Ridge C.C. He had 25 + years at the course and was considered the classic old school superintendent according to Sam Samuelson, CGCS. Sam shared a story with us about Fritz. When Sam was brought in to grow in Bartley Cavanaugh G.C. for the City of Sacramento, he asked Dale who he considered to be the greatest superintendents in the Sacramento area. Dale introduced Sam to Tom Unruh and Fritz Howell. Sam says he went on to gain an immense amount of knowledge from both of these individuals and greatly appreciated the time they both took to mentor him.