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 Institute 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 Institute that results of the funded research be published in Golf Course Management, GCSAA's flagship publication.

Funding is limited to $10,000 per year for a maximum of three years.

Request For Proposals

The request for proposals is announced in GCSAA publications and online in early August. Proposals are due at GCSAA Headquarters in early November. The Institute is able to fund one research project at a time with supported from the Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment Fund. Currently, Dr. Mark Carroll at the University of Maryland is conducting research titled 'Golf turf agrochemical runoff: Scale effects on computer model scenario calibration'. This project will be completed in 2006. We will issue a request for proposals for new research funded by the Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment Fund in 2006 for research to begin in 2007.