Brian Schweihofer grew up in a family that owned a landscape business, and he started playing golf at age 10.
“Because of the landscape business I became accustomed to working outside and the love of detail that goes into that kind of work, and I loved golf, so at a certain point those two things kind of made sense together,” he said.
Schweihofer, who has melded together his passions as the golf course superintendent at Franklin Hills Country Club for the last 20 years, has been named the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) Superintendent Award of Merit winner for 2026.
“It’s a very nice feeling to be recognized by your peers and the golf association,” Schweihofer said. “I haven’t pondered the total feeling of winning the award yet, but just to be recognized is a tremendous honor.”
The annual award, presented since 2011, is bestowed upon a superintendent who has demonstrated leadership, professionalism, good character and high standards of conduct through pursuits associated with golf course grounds maintenance and care.
Adam Ikamas, CGCS and executive director of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association (MiGCSA), said the MiGCSA leadership supports the choice via the GAM Green Committee.
“Brian is the epitome of the word professional,” he said. “His easy going, kind and welcoming demeanor is backed up with a deep understanding of every aspect of the golf industry. His commitment to serving his fellow MiGCSA Members is only surpassed by his commitment to his wonderful family.”
Carey Mitchelson, director of operations at College Fields Golf Club in Okemos and executive director of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF), nominated Schweihofer for the honor. Mitchelson was the 2025 Superintendent of Merit Award winner.
“I’ve known Brian for many years and his work ethic and skill level in our industry is extraordinary and well respected throughout the golf trade,” he said. “Beyond that, his ability to communicate with others and provide common sense solutions on difficult subjects is admired among his peers. When GAM Green Committee chairs Dave Baughman and Jay Hults provided this honor to recognize the role of golf superintendents in the state of Michigan, it was much appreciated by our industry. Selecting Brian as a recipient is verification of its authenticity.”
Schweihofer, a Michigan native who grew up in St. Clair, studied turfgrass at Michigan State University, landed an internship at Crystal Downs Country Club, followed by positions with the Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods and Indianwood Golf & Country Club in Lake Orion before working at Franklin Hills.
He has served the industry as a Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) board member for nine years and has started a second term on the board. He is also a past president.
“I’ve enjoyed being involved with the MTF and at Michigan State for the last 10 to12 years,” he said. “I like being involved with education and I take pride in mentoring and assisting future superintendents.”
He called working at Franklin Hills an honor and said working at a high-level club requires a constant seeking of perfection.
“That makes the job more interesting for me, and is part of it that I really enjoy,” he said. “It’s all part of striving for a product for the people at Franklin Hills can be proud of, and I try to do that by always staying one step ahead of expectations if possible.”
He said the Franklin Hills membership has been great to work with.
“Part of that is understanding that our members play Oakland Hills, and they play the other fabulous golf courses in the country, so they seek that level of golf at their club,” he said. “It’s not a static job. I embrace the challenge. We’ve been involved in a renovation the last three years, and yet, some members already want to know what’s next. It’s the challenge all superintendents have to embrace to enjoy the work.”
Schweihofer and his wife Julie have three children and live in Oxford. Their oldest child, Glenn, is graduating from Michigan State’s turfgrass program this spring and has landed his first job at Old Elm Club, a private club in Highland Park, Ill., that has a course that dates to 1913 and is ranked among the top 100 courses in the United States.
“My family has witnessed my level of dedication to my craft and my job and I appreciate that,” he said. “It’s hard to take on that level of commitment, and I’ve talked to Glenn about that. He is going to a high-level club like Franklin Hills, and he will figure it out very fast.”
Schweihofer will be formerly honored in the spring at the GAM’s Annual Meeting.