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Green Section Award

Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes an individual’s distinguished service to the game of golf through his or her work with turfgrass. Recipients may be involved in any aspect of work with turfgrass including research, maintenance, extension and other areas that positively impact the landscape upon which golf is played.

The USGA Green Section, established in 1920, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on turfgrass management – supporting research, the development of best practices, and a more sustainable game.

In presenting the Green Section Award, the USGA wishes to identify, celebrate and honor individuals who exemplify outstanding contribution and dedication to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass.

Below is a full list of USGA Green Section Award recipients.

Green Section Award Winners
Year Honoree
2025 Rodney Lingle
2024 Bob Farren
2023 Roch Gaussoin, Ph.D.
2022 Frank Dobie
2021 No Award Given (COVID-19 Pandemic)
2020 Dr. William Meyer
2019 Michael T. Huck                 (Video)
2018 Tim Hiers, CGCS                
2017 Dr. Norman W. Hummel    (Video)
2016 Dr. Bruce Clarke                (Video)
2015 Dr. Pat Vittum                   (Video)
2014 Dr. Peter Dernoeden            (Video)
2013  Dr. Victor Gibeault
2012 Dr. Wayne Hanna
2011 Dennis Lyon
2010 Dr. Daniel A. Potter
2009 Terry Bonar
2008 Ted Horton
2007 Dr. Joseph M. Vargas Jr.
2006 Dr. Robert C. Shearman
2005 Peter O. Cookingham
2004 Monroe S. Miller
2003 Dr. Houston Couch
2002 George B. Thompson
2001 Dr. Patricia M. Cobb
2000 L. Palmer Maples, Jr.
1999 Dr. Noel Jackson
1998 B.J. Johnson
1997 Dr. Paul E. Rieke
1996 Robert M. (Bob) Williams
1995 David C. Stone
1994 Dr. Kenyon T. Payne
1993 Dr. Ralph E. Engel
1992 Dr. Richard Skogley
1991 Dr. Joseph C. Troll
1990 Chester Mendenhall
1989 Dr. James B. Beard
1988 Dr. Roy L. Goss
1987 Sherwood A. Moore
1986 James B. 'Monty' Montcrief
1985 Dr. Victor B. Youngner
1984 Dr. William H. Daniel
1983 Alexander M. Radko
1982 Charles G. Wilson
1981 Dr. Joseph M. Duich
1980 Dr. C. Reed Funk
1979 Arthur A. Snyder
1978 Dr. Jess de France
1977 Edward J. Casey
1976 Dr. James R. Watson
1975 Dr. Fanny-Fern Davis
1974 Dr. Howard B. Sprague
1973 Dr. Marvin H. Ferguson
1972 Herb and Joe Graffis
1971 Tom Mascaro
1970 Eberhand R. Steiniger
1969 Dr. Fred V. Grau
1968 James L. Haines
1967 Elmer J. Michael
1966 Dr. H. Burton Musser
1965 Dr. Glenn W. Burton
1964 Joseph Valentine
1963 O.J. Noer
1962 Dr. Lawrence S. Dickinson
1961 Dr. John Monteith, Jr.