Watson Fellowship Program awards postgrad.

Aaron Johnsen, Brian Schwartz and Bradley Sladek each have been awarded $5,000 postgraduate grants by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) as winners in the 2007 Watson Fellowship Program.The Toro CompanyThe Watson Fellowship is funded by a partnership between The Toro Co. and The Environmental Institute for Golf. It is named after James R. Watson, Ph.D., a retired vice president for Toro and pioneer in turfgrass research. The winners, students working toward master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, have been identified as promising future teachers and researchers in the field of golf course management. They also receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2008 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show (Jan. 28-Feb. 2) in Orlando.Watson, now retired, is a leading authority on turfgrasses and was vice president for customer relations and chief agronomist for Toro. The winner of the USGA Green Section Award in 1976 and the 1977 Agronomic Service Award by the American Society of Agronomy, Watson was named a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America in 1979. He also won the 1991 Harry Gill Memorial Award of the Sports Turf Managers Association and GCSAA's highest honor in 1995, the Old Tom Morris Award. Over the course of five decades at Toro, Watson conducted research on adaptability of species and strains of turfgrasses, fertilization practices, snow mold prevention techniques for the winter protection of turfgrasses, etc. He has authored over 400 popular articles on turfgrass cultural practices and water conservation.

GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.