Each year, the Greater Pittsburgh Golf Course Superintendents Association proudly recognizes one of our own with the Distinguished Service Award. This special honor was created in memory of Christian Morup, a respected superintendent who played a key role in bringing together Pittsburgh’s two superintendent associations back in the early 1980s.
Christian’s passion, professionalism, and dedication to the Turfgrass industry left a lasting impact that continues to inspire us today. This award celebrates a Turfgrass professional in the Pittsburgh area who embodies integrity, excellence, and a commit to their craft and the GPGCSA community.
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
1992 Chris Morup
1993 Ted Stawovy
1994 Ray Dean
1995 George Morgan
1996 Frank Ekas Sr.
1998 David Guerin Sr.
2000 Jack Krigger
2001 Paul Leix, CGCS
2002 Art Wick
2003 Bob Walker
2004 Thomas Buehner
2005 Thomas Fox
2006 Wendell Boyd
2007 John Shaw CGCS
2008 Thomas Bettle
2009 Barry Grote
2010 Thomas Seapker
2012 Stanley Zontek
2013 John Yakubisin CGCS
2015 Keith Happ
2016 Ken Flisek CGCS
2018 Randy Zidik CGCS
2019 Eric Wygant CGCS
2021 Bill Schweitzer
2022 Mike Zedreck CGCS
2023 David Guerin Jr.
1993 Ted Stawovy
1994 Ray Dean
1995 George Morgan
1996 Frank Ekas Sr.
1998 David Guerin Sr.
2000 Jack Krigger
2001 Paul Leix, CGCS
2002 Art Wick
2003 Bob Walker
2004 Thomas Buehner
2005 Thomas Fox
2006 Wendell Boyd
2007 John Shaw CGCS
2008 Thomas Bettle
2009 Barry Grote
2010 Thomas Seapker
2012 Stanley Zontek
2013 John Yakubisin CGCS
2015 Keith Happ
2016 Ken Flisek CGCS
2018 Randy Zidik CGCS
2019 Eric Wygant CGCS
2021 Bill Schweitzer
2022 Mike Zedreck CGCS
2023 David Guerin Jr.
2024 Bob Capranica
2025 John V. Stavowy