AJGA honors Mitchell Eickhoff as Superintendent of the Year

The American Junior Golf Association recently honored Otter Creek Golf Course superintendent Mitchell Eickhoff with its Superintendent of the Year Award.

Eickhoff’s recognition is one of two 2023 awards for the Circle K Junior Championship hosted at Otter Creek in Columbus, Ind., as the event also won the Charitable Giving Award.

Each year, the AJGA presents awards to the tournaments with the best individual hospitality, Junior-Am fundraising, charitable giving and volunteer base. Awards are also given to the events with engaged media and social media participation. Finally, the AJGA recognizes the year’s most outstanding golf professional, superintendent and golf course executive.

Eickhoff is one of more than 130 superintendents the AJGA works with at tournaments throughout the year.

“It’s an honor,” said Eickhoff. “I know there’s a lot of great superintendents that run AJGA tournaments, and to be selected as the best one of the year, I’m definitely humbled by it. I have a great team behind me, so that really helped out. I can’t say how important it is to have a good crew that supports you and helps you achieve your goals.”

Eickhoff has been the Circle K Junior Championship’s superintendent for the past six years and works closely with his team at Otter Creek for weeks prior to the event to ensure the venue is prepared for the tournament. During tournament week, Eickhoff sends a daily email with golf course updates, maintenance news and the mowing schedule so the tournament operations team can make the best decisions for the event.

“We are always excited to return to Otter Creek because we know Mitchell and his team will have the course in top shape,” said Ryan Flanagan, AJGA senior regional director, Midwest. “We’re grateful for Mitchell’s consistent work supporting our tournament staff and his dedication to creating a fantastic playing experience for our juniors.”

The AJGA returned to Otter Creek Golf Course with the Circle K Junior Championship from June 24-27. All proceeds from the event benefited the Foundation for Youth and the AJGA’s Liberty National Achieving Competitive Excellence (ACE) Grant.

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