Jordan Booth, Ph.D.Senior Director, Course Consulting Service

Based in Pinehurst, North Carolina, Dr. Jordan Booth leads the course consulting service and conducts consulting visits in North Carolina. He joined the Green Section after working for Virginia Tech in turfgrass research and extension. Prior to his time at Virginia Tech, Jordan was the golf course superintendent at Willow Oaks Country Club in Richmond, Virginia.

Jordan is a graduate of Clemson University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management. After working in golf course maintenance for over a decade, Jordan pursued research at Virginia Tech, resulting in both master’s and doctoral degrees in plant pathology, physiology and weed science.

Jordan Booth, Ph.D., Senior Director, Course Consulting Service

jbooth@usga.org | 804-814-3078 | Based in Pinehurst, NC

Dr. Jordan Booth joined the Green Section in 2021 as an agronomist in the East Region. In his current role, he oversees the USGA Course Consulting Services and conducts consulting visits in the Southeast.
Darin Bevard, Senior Director, Championship Agronomy

dbevard@usga.org | 610-246-9263 | Based in Kennett Square, PA

Darin Bevard is the Senior Director of Championship Agronomy for the USGA Green Section. He oversees agronomic preparations for USGA championships with an emphasis on open championships.
Chris Hartwiger, Director, Agronomy

chartwiger@usga.org | 678-591-7410 | Based in Pinehurst, NC

Chris Hartwiger is the Director of Agronomy. He oversees various agronomic research efforts within the Green Section and visits golf courses in Alabama and North Carolina in support of the Course Consulting Service.
Cole Thompson Ph.D., Director, Turfgrass and Environmental Research

cthompson@usga.org | 908-396-1562 | Based in Pinehurst, NC

Dr. Cole Thompson oversees the USGA’s turfgrass and environmental research initiatives to improve sustainability and advance turfgrass science principles that enhance management practices for golf courses.
Matteo Serena, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Irrigation Research and Services

mserena@usga.org | 610-515-1662 | Based in Southern California

Dr. Matteo Serena engages with golf courses, public and industry scientists, allied golf associations, and other stakeholders to advance water conservation on golf courses throughout the USA.
Daniel O'Brien, P.h.D, Research Manager

dobrien@usga.org | 479-861-1796 | Based in Pinehurst, NC

Dr. Daniel O’Brien joined the USGA in 2024 as Green Section Research Manager. In this role, Daniel provides support for Green Section research activities.
Elliott L. Dowling, Regional Director, East Region

edowling@usga.org | 224-656-9773 | Based in Longmeadow, MA

Elliott is the Regional Director of the East Region for the USGA Green Section’s Course Consulting Service. He helps golf facilities maintain better playing conditions through USGA Course Consulting Service visits, educational outreach, and research throughout the region.
Brian Gietka, Agronomist, East Region

bgietka@usga.org | 410-218-0131 | Based in Hagerstown, MD

Brian joined the Green Section in 2023 as an Agronomist in the East Region. He conducts Course Consulting Service visits, provides educational outreach, and helps with championship agronomy in the mid-Atlantic area.
Chris Neff, Agronomist, East Region

cneff@usga.org | 843-247-5488 | Based in Bluffton, SC

Chris joined the Green Section in 2023 as an Agronomist in the East Region. He helps golf course superintendents and their teams maintain top notch playing conditions through Course Consulting Service visits and outreach in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida.
Mitch Leininger, agronomist, East Region

mleininger@usga.org | Based in Orlando, FL

Mitch joined the Green Section in 2025 as an Agronomist in the East Region. He helps golf course superintendents and their teams maintain top playing conditions through Course Consulting Service visits and outreach in Florida and the Southeast.
Zach Nicoludis, Regional Director, Central Region

znicoludis@usga.org | 412-215-6488 | Based in Columbus, OH

Zach joined the Green Section in the spring of 2016 as an Agronomist in the Central Region. He conducts visits in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky and provides educational outreach throughout the Central Region.
Tom Gould, agronomist, Central Region

tgould@usga.org | 515-802-9323 | Based in Geneva, IL

Tom joined the Green Section in the fall of 2024 as an Agronomist focusing on Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Canada. Tom conducts Course Consulting Service visits and provides educational outreach to golf courses throughout the region.
Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region

bwhitlark@usga.org | 480-215-1958 | Based in Gilbert, AZ

Brian joined the Green Section staff in 2008 as a Senior Consulting Agronomist in the West Region. He makes Course Consulting Service visits in Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico, and Mexico.
Ross Niewola, agronomist, West Region

rniewola@usga.org | 757-897-0325 | Based in Portland, OR

Ross Niewola is an Agronomist in the West Region for the USGA Green Section's Course Consulting Service. Ross joined the Green Section in the winter of 2024 and is based in Portland, OR.

Jordan Booth, Ph.D.Senior Director, Course Consulting Service

Jordan Booth, Ph.D., Senior Director, Course Consulting Service

Darin Bevard, Senior Director, Championship Agronomy

Chris Hartwiger, Director, Agronomy

Cole Thompson Ph.D., Director, Turfgrass and Environmental Research

Matteo Serena, Ph.D., Senior Manager of Irrigation Research and Services

Daniel O'Brien, P.h.D, Research Manager

Elliott L. Dowling, Regional Director, East Region

Brian Gietka, Agronomist, East Region

Chris Neff, Agronomist, East Region

Mitch Leininger, agronomist, East Region

Zach Nicoludis, Regional Director, Central Region

Tom Gould, agronomist, Central Region

Brian Whitlark, regional director, West Region

Ross Niewola, agronomist, West Region