The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is keeping secret a new report about whether the organization should leave Lawrence, where the association has been based since 1972.

Steve Mona, chief executive of the association, said Monday that board members received the report Friday from an 11-member resource group appointed by the board. The group’s goal was to determine whether the association could be more effective if it were located in a “golf-centric” area of the country.

But Mona said board members decided to keep the report’s finding confidential until they could schedule a meeting to discuss the topic, probably in July or August.

“We’re not going to release the recommendation until after we make a decision,” he said. “We feel like to do otherwise would compromise the decision-making process.”

The association has been considering a move since November 2002. The nonprofit company employs 120 people and pays an average salary of $43,000 per year. The association also is one of the few national headquarters located in the community.

The association’s board can recommend moving the headquarters, but it would take a two-thirds vote by the group’s membership to approve the move. On Friday, board members agreed such a vote wouldn’t be taken until the group’s annual meeting in February 2006. Previously, the association said it would be in February 2005.

Community leaders hoping to keep the association in Lawrence were mixed on what the latest developments meant.

“I don’t think it is good news that they didn’t make an announcement this weekend,” said Dick Stuntz, vice president of golf facilities for Alvamar Inc. and a member of the association. “If the recommendation was real solid that it shouldn’t move, it seems like they would have went ahead and made that announcement.”

Lynn Parman, vice president of economic development for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, said she didn’t read it that way.

“I don’t look at it as good news or bad news,” Parman said. “We’re just continuing to follow it and will be ready to react. They’re definitely a company we want to keep. They’re a part of Lawrence’s identity.”

Opponents of a move have argued the association would be hurt by relocating its corporate headquarters because many of the staff members would not make the move. Supporters have said the association could more easily promote its mission of golf course care and maintenance if it were located in a year-round golfing destination.

The association has identified these possible relocation sites:

• Orlando, Fla.
• Jacksonville, Fla.
• Phoenix.

Mona said the report received Friday didn’t evaluate any of the sites, but rather looked at the question of whether a move was needed.

The association had its board meeting Friday in Long Island, N.Y., in conjunction with the U.S. Open golf tournament.