Chatham Hills Superintendent Receives National Golf Award • Current Publishing

Chad Allen, superintendent of The Club at Chatham Hills golf course, is the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

Allen took an unconventional route into the turf industry. He began his career as a drug counselor, but decided to change careers when the stress of that job became too much. His brother and golf course superintendent Brad Allen encouraged Allen to try a career on the green.

“I was immediately hooked,” Allen said. “I didn’t know it would turn out to be something that would have a profound impact on my life.”

Allen earned a degree in turf management online from Pennsylvania State University’s World Campus and quickly rose from maintenance crew to assistant manager in Chatham Hills before being named manager in 2022.

Allen is also active with the GCSAA and the Indiana Golf Course Superintendents Association. He is the Secretary/Treasurer of the Indiana GCSA. Allen was the first person in Indiana to complete the GCSAA’s Assistant Superintendent Certificate Series and serves as a GCSAA Grassroots Ambassador. Ambassadors are assigned to members of Congress to build relationships and advocate for the most important issues affecting the sport of golf. Allen is partnered with U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz.

Allen said he was “beyond honored and grateful” to have won the Emerging Leader Award and has no plans to leave Chatham Hills.

“I feel very comfortable where I am,” he said. “I’m very happy. I often have to pinch myself. I’m living my dream, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to grow and learn. I’ll keep working hard.”

The Emerging Leader Award is presented in partnership with John Deere to individuals with less than five years of superintendent experience or to student, associate or assistant superintendent leaders who demonstrate continued growth in service and leadership.

Allen has been a member of the GCSAA for six years. He will be honored on February 6, 2025, during the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego, California.

Learn more about the Club at Chatham Hills’ 18- and 9-hole courses at chathamhills.com/golf.