Bubba Wright, head superintendent of the Pebble Beach Maintenance team receives the E.J. Marshall Platter award from the USGA during the final round at the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. on Sunday, July 9, 2023. (Jason E. Miczek/USGA)
On July 9, the United States Golf Association (USGA) 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. Wright is an alumnus of the Rutgers OCPE Professional Golf Turf Management School, earning a certificate from the school in 2010.
Created in 2022, E.J. Marshall 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.
This article was reprinted with permission from USGA.
