The Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association (Iowa GCSA), originally named the Iowa Greenkeepers Association, was organized in 1921 and was affiliated with the Iowa Horticultural Society in 1939.

In 1931, five members of the Iowa Greenkeepers Association approached Iowa State University to begin a turf research program. As a result, the first ISU - Iowa Greenkeeper Short Course was held in the spring of 1931 with 62 in attendance. The Iowa Greenkeepers Association held its first annual meeting in March of 1932, and the membership rose to 48. In the early 1960's, the title changed from the Iowa Greenkeepers Association to the Iowa Golf Course Superintendents Association.

The Iowa GCSA joined with the Iowa Turfgrass Institute in 1977 for the purpose of increasing our educational opportunities. As a result of this cooperative effort, we now have one of the finest regional turfgrass conferences in the United States.

In 1980, the Annual Iowa GCSA Scholarship was founded, and in 1982, the first ITI-Iowa GCSA Scholarship and Research Golf Tournament was held at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.

In 1995, the Iowa GCSA moved its office to Ames in association with the Iowa Turfgrass Institute, the Iowa Professional Lawn Care Association and the Iowa Sports Turf Managers Association.

In 2011, the Iowa GCSA, along with the allied associations of the Iowa Turfgrass Institute, moved its office from Ames to Ankeny, creating a partnership with the Iowa Golf Association.

In 2024, the Iowa GCSA, along with the allied associations of the Iowa Turfgrass Institute and the Iowa Golf Association, moved into the new Iowa Golf House next to Echo Valley Golf Course in Norwalk.

The Iowa GCSA is one of the oldest active regional Superintendents associations and has grown from five members in 1931 to the present 400 plus members. It is committed to serving its membership and advancing the profession of Golf Course Superintendents throughout the State of Iowa.