to improve playing conditions and optimize resource use. With more than 60 projects in progress, the Davis Program continues to be the largest private turfgrass and environmental research effort in golf, led by the USGA’s Green Section. “Our Green Section team has some of the brightest minds in golf, and we’re proud to continue forging a sustainable path forward, led by our Davis Program research efforts,” said Matt Pringle, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA Green Section. “As a leader in advancing data-driven and researchbased golf course management practices, we work side-by-side with the top universities and institutions across the country.” Other notable projects receiving funding this year include a pilot effort at Texas A&M University and the University of Tennessee to mine Google course review data to better understand what improves, and detracts from, the golfer experience. The USGA is also continuing a longstanding collaboration with the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program and the National Turfgrass Federation to provide unbiased turfgrass performance data for end users and to advance federal and allied nonprofit organization funding of turfgrass research. The resulting management practices born out of Davis Program research have contributed to a 29 percent decrease in golf’s water use since 2005. In total, the USGA’s investment in course sustainability saves the golf industry an estimated $1.9 billion annually, including: • $201 million from advancing irrigation with efficiencies in turfgrass water use; • $529 million from advancing irrigation scheduling with soil-moisture meters; • $469 million from advancing naturalized rough. For a full list of current research projects, this year’s call for proposals and all other information related to the Davis Grants, click here. Michigan Golf Journal
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