Image Credit: Edwin Remsberg
The United States Golf Association announced this week Dr. Peter Dernoeden, professor emeritus of plant science and landscape architecture at the University of Maryland’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, as the recipient of the 2014 USGA Green Section Award. Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes an individual’s distinguished service to the game of golf through his or her work with turfgrass.
Over the course of an extensive research, extension and teaching career, Dernoeden led the design and management of turfgrass research programs focusing on weed and disease control, integrated pest management, and sustainable fescue species. In 1999, he was responsible for the discovery of a new pathogen and disease that affects creeping bentgrass. His work is widely recognized as having contributed significantly to the quality of turf on golf courses both regionally and nationally.
“Dr. Dernoeden’s work has influenced a generation of golf industry professionals,” said Dr. Kimberly Erusha, managing director of the USGA Green Section. “His contributions, from solid research to well-trained graduate students, speaking engagements and work with individual golf courses have taken the game forward in many ways. The USGA and the golf industry are indebted to Dr. Dernoeden for his leadership and dedication throughout his career.”
Dernoeden joined the faculty at the University of Maryland in 1980 and recently retired in July of 2013. He will receive the Green Section Award on Feb. 8, 2014, at the USGA’s Annual Meeting and Service Awards at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in the Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
