Over the course of a four-decade career, Doug Snook, CGCS, has been a leader and a mentor for golf course superintendents.

Snook was the Superintendent at Waverly Municipal Golf Course for more than 30 years, starting in 1981, He was recognized by the IGSCA as Superintendent of the Year twice, in 1986 and then 2002 after the Waverly course underwent a major renovation project. Waverly Municipal was named the Iowa Golf Association’s 18-hole course of the year in 2003.

He has served on the board of directors of both the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association (IGCSA) and the Iowa Turf Institute (ITI). He was President of the IGCSA in 1991 and ITI in 2000. Among Snook’s many awards was the IGCSA’s Distinguished Service Award in 1998 and the ITI’s Meritorious Service Award in 2006. Snook was also presented the Charles Calhoun Writing Award for articles published in The Reporter, a monthly publication of the IGCSA.

A native of Newton, Snook said he’s always enjoyed being part of the superintendents’ fraternity.

“It’s a great group of professionals that, even though we are in direct competition with each other, you know you can always count on your fellow superintendents in a pinch, good times and bad,” Snook said in 2011, when he was inducted into the Iowa Golf Gall of Fame.

The sentiments expressed by several of his colleagues in supporting his Iowa Golf Hall of Fame nomination were summarized by former ITI executive director Jeff Wendel.

“Doug has been a dedicated servant of the game of golf for more than 40 years,” Wendel said. “The most significant reason for inducting Mr. Snook is his influence on the industry, including mentoring others who went on to become Superintendents and shaping the future of the Superintendent profession.”

• Certified as a GCSAA Superintendent in 1987
• Golf Course Superintendent of the Year: 1986 & 2002
• President of Iowa GCSA, 1991
• Iowa Turfgrass Institute President, 2000
• Iowa Turfgrass Institute Board of Trustees: 1996-2003
• Calhoun Writing Award Winner, 1997
• Iowa GCSA Distinguished Service Award Winner, 1998
• Iowa Turfgrass Institute’s Meritorious Service Award, 2006