Golf Course Superintendents Association of America hires new CEO

A Lawrence-based association with more than 100 employees in town and more than 20,000 members worldwide is getting a new boss.

Mark J. Woodward, golf operations manager for the city of San Diego, starts July 1 as chief executive officer of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Woodward was introduced this morning to employees at the association’s headquarters, 1421 Research Park Drive.

Woodward takes over for Steve Mona, who left the association after 14 years to become chief executive officer of the World Golf Foundation.

In hiring Woodward, the association, for the first time, hired a golf course superintendent to serve as chief executive. He’s been a member of the association for 30 years, and has served on the organization’s board of directors.

In 2004, he served as the association’s 68th president.

In San Diego, Woodward’s department has played host to numerous high-profile events, including three junior world golf championships, three city amateur championships and three PGA Tour events. This year, San Diego’s top public course, Torrey Pines, will welcome to U.S. Open.