As we reported earlier this week, former GCSAA president Dennis Lyon, CGCS, has been selected as the recipient of the 2011 USGA Green Section Award. The USGA made that official today, so as we promised in that earlier report, here's the complete contents of that news release that was sent out today:
DENNIS LYON OF COLORADO TO RECEIVE 2011 USGA GREEN SECTION AWARD
Far Hills, N.J. (Dec. 17) – Dennis Lyon, manager of golf for the city of Aurora, Colo., has been named the recipient of the United States Golf Association’s 2011 Green Section Award. Lyon will receive his award Feb. 11 at the USGA Green Section Education Conference in Orlando, Fla.
The USGA Green Section Award has been presented annually since 1961 to individuals who contribute significantly to the game of golf through their work with turfgrass. Since 1983, the USGA’s Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program has funded more than 400 projects for better turf and a better environment at universities across the country.
“I am honored to receive this award, and very pleased that it helps bring recognition to the efforts of many people here in Colorado to improve the game we love,” said Lyon. “Our state has been a leader in efforts to improve turf conditions and other environmental and management practices at municipal courses, and I believe this work has had national implications.”
Lyon, 62, has spent nearly his entire professional career in the golf industry. A graduate of Colorado State University’s horticulture program, he earned his master’s degree in management from the University of Northern Colorado. In 1973, he was hired as superintendent of the Aurora Hills Golf Course and in 1976 was promoted to manager of golf for the city of Aurora. He currently oversees seven city of Aurora courses, including Murphy Creek, which was the site of the 2008 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
Lyon is a past president of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the organization’s first president to represent a municipal facility. Lyon served on the USGA Public Golf Committee and is currently a member of the USGA Green Section Committee. He served as president of the Colorado Golf Association, the Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association. He was elected to the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame in 2005.
“Through his knowledge, activities and dedication to volunteer service, Dennis has set a very high standard for golf industry professionals,” said Jim Snow, national director of the USGA Green Section. “In particular, his influence on municipal course management practices extends well beyond the borders of his home state.”
Dennis, thanks and congratulations on a well deserved recognition for a carreer dedicated to solving problems and working with others in the greenkeeping world. Although you strove to improve our profession and further the cause of golf for the masses, you never took yourself too seriously and were among the most approachable leaders in the business. Enjoy sleeping in!
Posted by: bruce nelson | December 22, 2010 at 08:59 AM