I’m sure there are many factors that can be cited to explain this five-shot variance. Mississippi only has 150 golf courses in the state, while Michigan has 800 courses. By these two numbers alone we can assume there are many more golfers in Michigan and it is reasonable to also assume that golf is available to a wider spectrum of golfers, thus higher handicappers bringing that average up. Whatever the reason golfers from all over the world flock to Michigan to enjoy the great golf, summer temperatures and outdoor activities. Let’s make a resolution to work on those handicaps this year and move Michigan up the rankings. USGA Funds Research Projects The United States Golf Association’s (USGA) Mike Davis Program for Advancing Golf Course Management has funded 15 new research projects to advance turfgrass science in 2024, taking the program’s total investment in golf course sustainability to over $50 million since 1983. Aligning with the USGA’s longterm $30 million commitment to reduce golf’s use of conservation habitat, among others. Scientists from leading universities across the country, including Rutgers, the University of Florida, Texas A&M, New Mexico State, North Carolina State, Washington State and Kansas State, are conducting the multi-year research, which is helping to provide the game of golf with data-driven tools water, more than 50 percent of active Davis Grants are focused on projects intended to drive efficiency, effective measurement, innovation and conservation of water on golf courses. They include multi-year studies on optimizing irrigation techniques, improving drought resistance for common fairway, rough and green turfgrasses, and advancing methods of renovating out-of-play areas to
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