PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (July 9, 2023) – The USGA today presented Bubba Wright, Pebble Beach Golf Links’ superintendent, with the E.J. Marshall Platter at the conclusion of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Created in 2022, the platter recognizes leaders in golf course management who demonstrate commitment, expertise and outstanding collaboration with the USGA to present a well-maintained course, worthy of hosting a national championship and the world’s best players.
The entire course maintenance team and volunteers were also recognized during the 18th green ceremony following play. This is the first time that the platter has been presented to multiple superintendents in a single year and the first time it has been awarded at the U.S. Women’s Open – an expansion that reflects the USGA’s commitment to elevating the championship.
Wright, a five-year member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and native of Coarsegold, Calif., is in his ninth year at Pebble Beach – having previously served as an assistant superintendent at The Links at Spanish Bay and at TPC Scottsdale. In collaboration with his team, Wright worked together with the USGA’s senior director of championship agronomy, Darin Bevard, over the last year to ready the 6,505-yard, par-72 course for the championship.
“I’m excited to have another first at Pebble Beach this year – first time we’ve hosted the U.S. Women’s Open here and now the first time we’ve awarded two E.J. Marshall Platters in one championship season,” said USGA CEO, Mike Whan. “As we’ve prepared the course for this historic championship, Bubba and his entire team have demonstrated excellence in their profession, and their contributions are worthy of this highest recognition.”
Additionally, 37 of the 60 maintenance team volunteers for the championship were women who came in from across the country to deliver championship-quality playing conditions.
The platter’s namesake was the chair of the green committee at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, in 1920. After he approached the USGA and the Department of Agriculture for help at the course, the USGA formed the Green Section to provide course care expertise to golf facilities.
About the USGA:
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf's premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association's Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world's most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org.
About the USGA Green Section:
Since the founding of the Green Section in 1920, the USGA has led the effort to enhance golf course sustainability. Through research and services to courses that enable improved playing conditions, these efforts are aimed at reducing the consumption of critical resources such as water, chemicals, labor and energy. This mission is achieved through five primary programs – research, course consulting services, technology tools, championship agronomy and professional education and outreach. The USGA’s annual investment of $10 million in science, research, agronomy and course consulting efforts is estimated to provide more than $1.9 billion in savings to U.S. golf courses each year. These savings are realized through more efficient water, fuel, labor and nutrient management practices all while supporting improved playing conditions, for the good of the game.