(Above - Left to Right - David Withers - Ransomes/Jacobsen,

Wes Danielewicz - Budding Winner, Chris Minton - Past IGCEMA Board Member & The Belfry)

Today at the BTME in Harrogate, UK, we announced the 2011 winner Wes Danielewicz. Wes is an equipment technician at Forest Preserve District of Dupage County in Chicago. Wes has been a valuable contributor to the advancement of the turf equipment technicians profession in the golf industry for over 25 years. Wes is the executive director of the Turf Equipment Technicians Association (T.E.T.A) and has been since 1997. Wes helped gain recognition for technicians early on by helping establish relationships with the manufacturers and Superintendent associations in the U.S. Wes also helped in introducing technician related seminars to the Golf Industry Show and was a big part of creating competencies for the EETC testing that was made available for technicians. This effort was the beginning of the continuous push to help the equipment technicians become an integral part of the golf operation. Wes continues his role as executive director of TETA and continues to play a major role in getting recognition for equipment technicians.

IGCEMA President John Patterson stated: "It’s good to see Wes receiving recognition for his efforts on such a prestigious stage at the BTME in Harrogate. Wes certainly deserves this award, and we look forward to working with TETA in the future.”

The Edwin Budding Award Committee Members are:

Richard Comely, Director of Product Management and Marketing Ransomes/Jacobsen

Carl Osterhaus - The Toro Company

Garry Carpenter - John Deere Golf and Turf

Stephen Bernhard - Bernhard and Company

Jim Letourneau - Foley United

Steve Spuhler - IGCEMA