Far Hills, N.J. (Dec. 16) – The United States Golf Association announced today that Dr. Daniel A. Potter, 57, Professor of Entomology at the University of Kentucky, is the recipient of the 2010 USGA Green Section Award.
The Green Section Award is presented annually by the USGA to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding contributions and dedication to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass. The award will be presented to Potter on Feb. 12, 2010, at the USGA Green Section Education Program in San Diego, Calif., in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show.
Potter graduated from Cornell University in 1974 and earned his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1978. He has been a faculty member in the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky since 1979 and was promoted to the rank of full Professor in 1989.
“I am very humbled and honored to receive such recognition from the USGA,” said Potter. “I have been doing this for more than 30 years and along with helping students attain their goals, the greatest satisfaction has been teaching and learning from professional turf and landscape managers. Golf superintendents, in particular, have alerted me to new pest problems and assisted us with on-site research.”
His research program supports and provides leadership for safe, environmentally responsible pest management for a variety of locales, including golf courses. It focuses on the biology and management of insect pests of turfgrass and woody landscape plants, environmental toxicology, and biological control for urban landscapes. Since 1991, Potter has been the recipient of competitive grants from the USGA’s Turfgrass and Environment Research Program and the O.J. Noer Research Foundation.
Among the many honors and awards Potter has received are the Distinguished Achievement Award in Urban Entomology, the Distinguished Achievement Award in Horticultural Entomology, and the Distinguished Achievement Award in Teaching from the Entomological Society of America (ESA), as well as Research, Teaching and Service to Graduate Students Awards from the University of Kentucky. He has presented hundreds of invited educational lectures for industry professionals, and has been a keynote speaker for entomology at international turfgrass conferences throughout the world.
During his tenure at Kentucky, he has advised 34 graduate students and has been on the graduate committee of more than 60 others. His students have received numerous recognitions, including the ESA J.H. Comstock Graduate Student Award, the ESA Award for Leadership in Applied Entomology, and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Watson Fellowship. Nine of his former students are University faculty members; others are employed as extension agents, consultants, industry scientists, or in state and federal agencies.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting quite a number of Dr. Potter’s graduate students over the years, and without exception they have expressed great admiration and gratitude for his attention to their education and the important role he played in their lives,” said Jim Snow, national director of the USGA Green Section. “In academia, how much better can it be than to be considered an outstanding scientist, an esteemed teacher, and a wonderful person?”
For more information about the USGA Green Section Award, including past winners, please visit http://www.usga.org/course_care/awards/green_section/Museum-and-Archives/.
About the USGA
The USGA is the national governing body of golf in the USA and Mexico, a combined territory that includes more than half the world’s golfers and golf courses.
The USGA annually conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open and 10 national amateur championships. It also conducts two state team championships and helps conduct the Walker Cup Match, Curtis Cup Match and World Amateur Team Championships.
The USGA also writes the Rules of Golf, conducts equipment testing, provides expert course maintenance consultations, funds research for better turf and a better environment, maintains a Handicap System®, celebrates the history of the game, and administers an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants program, which has allocated more than $65 million over 13 years to successful programs that bring the game’s values to youths from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities. For more information about the USGA, visit www.usga.org.
Contact:
Kimberly Erusha (kerusha@usga.org)
Web Address: www.usga.org
USGA Phone: (908) 234-2300
