Member Spotlight

Congratulations to Buddy Williams – Winner of the ATA’s Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award the ATA bestows. It is awarded to a member that has retired, or is close to retirement, and has made major contributions to the industry, as well as this Association. These individuals have had an impact on the membership and the Alabama Turfgrass Association as a whole.

This year’s award winner is Buddy Williams, a devoted ATA member whose record of accomplishments in this industry speaks for itself.

Raised in Rockville, Maryland, Buddy attended the University of Maryland. From those early years, Buddy Williams has had a long and illustrious career in the turfgrass industry. Allan MacCurrach, first PGA Tour Agronomist, recruited Buddy to join the PGA Tour in the beginning of the TPC Network. Buddy was then transferred to TPC Prestanica in Sarasota, Florida to finish construction and host another two Chrysler Cups. From there he was moved to TPC Southwind in Memphis and later moved to Alabama where he made his mark on the state’s industry.

Buddy enjoyed 36 years as a golf course superintendent; most recently at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Grand National and then Saugahatchee Country Club. During those years he hosted numerous events for the Alabama Turfgrass Association. He essentially supported our golf tournament when our conference was held in Auburn for many, many years. He was always a major supporter and facilitated those events.

Before Buddy retired, he worked as a sod farm manager at Becks Turf and then went into sales for AGRI-AFC which eventually became GreenPoint AG. In this role, he was able to assist turfgrass managers across the state giving advice and sharing his knowledge with their turfgrass management programs.

In 2023, he decided to officially retire and spend his golden years enjoying life with his lovely wife, Renee, their three children: Shelby, Emily and Seth, and of course fulfilling his biggest role, grandfather of three precious grandchildren. In fact, Buddy’s grandson, Oliver Hayes Williams, was born even as he was being presented the award at the Deep South. That’s dedication! Thank you for staying to accept the award, Buddy, and I hope you made it to see the grandbaby before Renee got too put out with you!

Buddy has been a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association for over 42 years, as well as a member of the Alabama GCSA and Alabama Turfgrass Association nearly 30 years. Buddy had the privilege of serving on the ATA Board of Directors twice. He has been a speaker at the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, presenter with the ATA and was recognized by the PGA Tour as one of the best Ten Percent conditioned events in 1997 for the Nike Tour Championship.

Buddy, thank you for your support, dedication to ATA and the entire turfgrass industry. We are honored to present you with the ATA Lifetime Achievement Award.