At an October 3rd reception, the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendent’s Association named Mark Jordan as its latest Mal Mclaren Award winner, and Grange Alves and Don Sweda to its Hall of Fame.
Mal Mclaren Award: Mark Jordan
Mark entered the golf course management field in 1980 as an equipment operator at Rolling Acres Golf Course in Nova, Ohio. Over the next four decades, he advanced his career through key agronomic and operational roles at four additional Ohio clubs, culminating into a transformative 36-year career at Westfield Country Club . He retired in late December of 2024 as Natural Resource Leader, having previously served as Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Club Manager and General Manager.
His leadership extended well beyond club walls. Mark held presidential roles in three industry organizations: the Northern Ohio GCSA, the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He actively supported numerous committees focused on environmental stewardship, professional development, and industry advocacy.
Throughout his career, Mark was recognized at the local, state, and national levels for his commitment to excellence, mentorship, and strategic innovation. Among his proudest contributions was advocating for issues that positively impacted golf course operations and sustainability.
Hall of Fame Inductees
Grange Alves
Grange was a Golf Course Superintendent, Golf Pro, Golf Courses Manager and Golf Course Designer. In 1904 he held the position as Golf Pro at French Lick GC in Indiana. Then in 1913 he moved to the Cleveland area and was co-designer of Shaker Hts. CC in Beachwood, OH and then Golf Pro of Shaker Hts. CC in 1915. In 1922 he moved on to Lyndhurst, OH and co-designer of Acacia CC and then in 1924 became the Golf Pro, Superintend and Manager. In 1923 – 1939 he was a member of the National Greenkeeper Association now known as GCSAA and the Cleveland District Greenkeepers Association now known as the NOGCSA. Leadership positions held during his career, National Greenkeepers Association-Vice President, Professional Golfers Association- Vice President, National Greenkeeper Association Director and Cleveland Chapter of The PGA – President
Don Sweda
Don was a golf course superintendent for 28 years only because of his sudden passing in 1995. But in that short time, he was a leader in the golf course industry. His golf course career, which started in 1968 at Moreland Hills CC and ended at Columbia Hills CC in 1995. Don received his GCSAA certification in 1985. Don always felt it was important to be involved as a leader in the golf course industry so in 1982 he became a Director NOGCSA and President in 1988. It did not stop there and in 1991 he became a Director for the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and the President in 1994. Don also felt it was necessary to acknowledge leaders in our industry so in 1978 the Mal McLaren award was established with the help of his brother George who was a leader in his own right as Head Sportswriter for The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Mal McLaren award is now the highest award that is given out by the NOGCSA. In 1998, Don was a posthumous award winner of the Mal McLaren award.
— content courtesy of NOGCSA
