In 1989, Dennis Lyon, the longtime manager of golf for the City of Aurora, was elected president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. Lyon was the first GCSAA president from a municipal golf course; the honor usually goes to a superintendent from a private club or a prestigious resort.
In 2002, Lyon became president of the Colorado Golf Association—another rarity for someone from the ranks of course superintendent. In 2010, he was elected governor emeritus by the CGA Board of Governors.
Lyon oversaw golf operations for the City of Aurora for more than three decades, and worked for the city’s golf division for more than 37 years.
Throughout his career, he has been involved with—and had a leadership role in—numerous turf and golf organizations. A lifelong supporter of the game, he has always had a commitment to promoting public golf and the public golfer. In 2008, one of the Aurora courses, Murphy Creek, hosted the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, and Lyon served as general chairman.
In 2011, Lyon won the national USGA Green Section Award, which is presented annually to a person who contributes significantly to golf through work with turfgrass. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame, and the Ike Grainger Award for 25 years of volunteer work on USGA committees.
Originally from Craig, Colo., Lyon earned degrees at Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado.
2011 Lifetime Achievement
The former president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Colorado Golf Association and recipient of the USGA’s 2010 Green Section Award directed the growth of the City of Aurora’s golf courses until his retirement in 2010.
