The American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) will present its Donald Ross Award to golf course operator Frank Jemsek at its 2023 Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The award has been given annually since 1976 to a person who has made a significant contribution to the game of golf and the profession of golf course architecture.

Frank is the son of Chicago-area golf patriarch and Illinois Golf Hall of Famer, Joe Jemsek. Brought into the family business, Jemsek Golf, at 11 years of age, Frank has run the company as CEO since his father’s passing in 2002. He currently operates courses at Cog Hill in Lemont, Illinois; Pine Meadow in Mundelein, Illinois; St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois; and Summer Grove in Newnan, Georgia.

Since becoming CEO of Jemsek Golf, Frank has overseen his facilities host many tournaments, including the BMW Championship between 2007 to 2011 on Cog Hill’s Dubsdread course as well as other national events such as the US Amateur and Western Open.

Frank is an Illinois Golf Hall of Fame member and was the first public golf course manager to join the Club Management Association of America. He has also implemented initiatives such as No Embarrassment Golf School, Family Golf, Youth on Course, and the PGA Jr. League. All of this aims to grow the game, introduce more people to golf, and improve those at the beginner level.

“The ASGCA Donald Ross Award recognises those making a significant contribution to the game,” said ASGCA president Brit Stenson. “Frank Jemsek and the Jemsek family have been doing that nearly as long as ASGCA has been in existence! Beginning with Joe Jemsek and continuing through Frank to his daughter, Katherine, one thing the Jemseks have done exceedingly well is to listen. They ask new and established golfers what they need from a golf facility, and they have provided it. This positive impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.”