USGA names Rodney Lingle, CGCS, 2025 Green Section Award winner
The United States Golf Association (USGA) announced Rodney Lingle, CGCS, as the winner of the 2025 USGA Green Section Award. Presented annually since 1961, the Green Section Award honors distinguished service to golf through an individual’s work with turfgrass.
An innovator, turfgrass field expert and mentor to golf course superintendents, Lingle began his career in 1974 at Hattiesburg (Miss.) Country Club. Five years later, he joined Memphis Country Club as superintendent and would ply his trade there for the next 37 years. During this time, he invented products, advanced the science and art of quality putting surfaces and influenced the entire golf course maintenance industry with his curious mind and innovative tactics, according to the association.
“Everyone in golf needs to know the name of Rod Lingle — and follow his example,” said USGA CEO Mike Whan. “Rod has shaped careers, changed the way we think about golf course maintenance and has never been satisfied with the status quo. But there isn’t a greater legacy you can leave than to be counted as a revered teacher and friend. Golf is better because Rod cares, and that’s why he’s deserving of this award.”
Lingle’s lifelong dedication to experimenting with and perfecting the use of ultradwarf bermudagrass spurred an industry-wide movement, improving the putting and playing experience for countless golfers and golf courses nationwide. That work took root on greens at Streamsong (Resort in Bowling Green, Fla.), Atlanta Athletic Club, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Pinehurst Resort & Country Club and others in Arizona and Hawaii. It led to Lingle’s development of Mach 1, an advanced turfgrass he eventually patented.
Lingle also created the new greens mowing brush system after a golf course equipment manufacturer stopped making a previous model for walking mowers. Tinkering with various brushes at Memphis Country Club, Lingle eventually developed and patented the Greens Perfection Brush. Toro purchased the rights to use it on mowers for the first four years.
“I knew from the first visit with Rodney at Memphis Country Club that he brought much more than ‘just an idea’ to the market.“ Tom Langworthy, director of engineering, The Toro Co., said. “He brought a philosophy of learning, teaching and success to his whole team. His true passion is not grass — his passion is watching others succeed after passing along what he learned from his toils and peers.”
According to the association, Lingle’s most significant contributions to the game stem from his lifetime work as a mentor and collaborator — earning the respect of countless superintendents over four decades of work in golf. He held 10 on-site ultradwarf surface management workshops at Memphis Country Club, hosting hundreds of superintendents to share his novel maintenance practices and turfgrass management techniques. Superintendents under his tutelage tout his generosity, ingenuity, drive, care and passion — a “North Star” among his peers, university researchers and colleagues in golf.
“I am very honored to be named the 2025 USGA Green Section Award winner, as working with the USGA Green Section through the years has been the most rewarding experience of my career,” said Lingle. “A special thank you to the great staff in Memphis and Texas. You made all this possible with the hard work and dedication you provided. Your effort provided much of the foundation for the popularity and growth of ultradwarf greens in the South.”
After 37 years at Memphis Country Club, Lingle moved to Escondido Golf and Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and golf course management.
“I have known Rodney for 15-plus years and have admired him not only for knowledge and expertise in many facets of our profession but perhaps just as importantly for his willingness to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with his industry colleagues,“ said Bob Farren, director of golf course management at Pinehurst Resort and 2024 Green Section Award recipient. “Rodney was a pioneer in establishing best management practices for ultradwarfs. Many clubs through the Southeast have benefitted greatly from Rodney sharing his insights, not the least of which is yours truly and our team at Pinehurst Resort.”
USGA CEO Mike Whan announced Lingle’s Green Section Award honor at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show. Lingle will be presented the award at the 2025 USGA Annual Meeting on March 1, 2025, held at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.
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