Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment Fund

Environmental stewardship is a key role for golf course superintendents. Golf courses occupy significant acreage across the U.S. and managing them in a way that protects the environment reflects positively on the golf course industry. Using environmentally friendly strategies, such as best management practices and integrated pest management, help ensure the quality of surface and groundwater resources are protected.

Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan has established an endowment fund with The GCSAA Foundation for the purpose of funding environmental research on golf courses. As part of GCSAA's general call for proposals in August, researchers are encouraged to apply for funding under this program for research pertaining to water quality, integrated pest management, best management practices, wildlife management, reduction in pesticide use, or any project related to maintaining and protecting the environment.

It is intended that these projects be conducted on golf courses whenever possible. It is also the intent of The GCSAA Foundation that results of the funded research be published in Golf Course Management, GCSAA's flagship publication.

At this time, funding is restricted to $3,000 per year for projects submitted under this program. Maximum project length is three years.

Call For Proposals

Calls for proposals are announced in GCSAA publications including Newsline and GCSAA's Web site around August 1. Proposals are due back to GCSAA Headquarters by November 1 to allow time for Research Committee review. Proposals should be brief, but written in sufficient detail to adequately describe the intended research. Proposals should be typed, single-spaced, not to exceed four pages in length, and must contain the following:

• Project title
• Purpose of the project
• Investigators (including university, chapter and other golf course personnel)
• Location of project
• Time frame of the project
• Data to be collected and methodology involved (it is critical to provide sufficient specificity in this section)
• Description of how this research is important for maintaining or enhancing environmental quality on and surrounding golf courses
• All funding sources that may be supporting the project, including chapter, turfgrass association or foundation, state golf association, or university funds
• Funding requested from The GCSAA Foundation and a budget that describes how the funds are to be used for each year of the project

It is the intent of the program that the research agreement for each project by administered through official university offices, but that the full funding amounts be made available to fund research and that no administrative overhead be deducted.

Both the cover letter and the four-page, typed proposal should be submitted directly to:

Dr. Clark Throssell
Director of Research
The GCSAA Foundation
1421 Research Park Drive
Lawrence, KS 66049-3859
Phone: (785) 832-4429
Fax: (785) 832-4449

Notification of funded projects is made within three weeks after the GCSAA Board of Directors has made its funding decisions during the pre-conference meeting, just prior to GCSAA's annual conference and show in early February.

Chapters, state and regional turfgrass associations and foundations, state golf associations, and participating universities receiving support will be expected to sign a Memorandum of Agreement, which delineates report procedures, payment schedules, rights to publicize and publish research results, and other issues.

Researchers receiving funds from this program are expected to submit a mid-year report, due May 1, and a year-end report, due November 1, describing the progress of the research. At the end of the project, a final report is expected that is written in a style publishable in Golf Course Management.