Tucker Receives Distinguised Alumni of the Year Award

The 2016 Florida Gateway College Distinguished Alumnus of the year is Mr. Stephen Tucker.  

Since graduating from Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College, in 1999, Stephen Tucker has seen his career soar, and his travels around the nation prove that. After graduation, Tucker began work at Boca del Mar Country Club in Boca Raton where he was equipment manager and was responsible for preventative maintenance for the 18 hole private golf club.

But bigger responsibilities came calling in 2001 when he was named equipment manager in Naples for the Olde Florida Golf Club and was supervisor of a staff of 24 employees. Like many other graduates of the local college’s turf equipment management program more opportunities opened. In 2002 Tucker secured a position at a Golf Digest Top 100 course in Georgia where he became equipment manager for Hawks Ridge Golf Club, a 27 hole private facility with a staff of 25 and was responsible for all facets of equipment management.

When your reputation as a pro gets around more jobs open up. That’s what happened for Tucker when he was appointed equipment manager for The Four Seasons Resort Dallas at Las Colinas in Irving, Texas in 2012.The 36 hole private club needed an experienced manager. Tucker was given the responsibility of all facets of equipment for the course which also included purchasing, budgeting, safety training and hiring.

Since 2014 Tucker has been the equipment manager in Orlando for The Four Seasons Resort at Tranquilo Golf Club. Here again Tucker is responsible for equipment management, purchasing, budgets, safety training and hiring employees. As part of his job, Tucker also travels to other Four Seasons golf properties as a consultant.

During his career Tucker established a detaild budget breakdown into projected spending on individual equipment, developed a new safety program for employees along with an equipment training program and certification. But Tucker also finds time for the community. He has helped coordinate charity events and has volunteered for 2 years at PGA events. In hs spare time when Tucker isn’t managing a staff at a golf course, he also likes to play the game.

Tucker is an accomplished golfer having played in qualifying events for the US Open, US Amateur and the Nike Tour.