Edward "Ted" Horton, 64, of Canyon Lake, Calif., executive director of the California Golf Course Owners Association (CGCOA) is the recipient of the 2008 Green Section Award.

The Award is presented annually to individuals who exemplify outstanding contributions and dedication to golf through their work with turfgrass.

Horton became superintendent of the five-time U.S. Open site, Winged Foot G.C. in Mamaroneck, N.Y., in 1967 and served for 12 years. He was then superintendent of Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., for 11 years. He later worked as vice president of a club management company and was vice president for resource management for The Pebble Beach Company.

During his eight-year tenure at Pebble Beach, he had agronomic responsibilities for the 1999 U.S. Amateur and 2000 U.S. Open.

Horton has been an effective leader wherever he has worked. In the 1980s, during a severe drought, he was instrumental in negotiating with water authorities to limit water use restrictions on golf courses in Metropolitan New York. He also negotiated wages and salaries for golf course employees in the area with a national union.

In his role with the CGCOA, Horton has been a leader in coordinating agronomists nationwide to share information and improve customer service.  He is an advocate of making golf courses environmentally friendly, and has earned several national awards for his efforts.

Horton's achievements are broad in scope, and his many contributions to golf prompted his selection as the winner of the 2008 USGA Green Section Award.