PGMS announces 2023 Green Star and Professional Award recipients

The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) honored several grounds professionals and complexes with awards as part of its annual awards celebration on Oct. 19.

PGMS Gold Medal Award

Michael Goatley, Ph.D.

Goatley develops and delivers current educational and outreach programs to all segments of the turfgrass industry. He devoted time to outreach in the area of urban nutrient management and helped develop the first-ever urban nutrient management planning certification and testing program. He is an active advisor and participant in the Master Gardener Volunteer program, devoted to urban water quality protection called Healthy Virginia Lawns. He is the author of multiple books, including multiple editions of Sports Field: Design, Construction, and Maintenance.

Special Award of Distinguished Service

Joe Kovolyan, CGM, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn.

Kovolyan previously served as the president of PGMS, with ten years of service on the national board. He represented PGMS on the GIE committee for several years. He was the Northwest regional director and helped develop the first branch in the Northwest region.

President’s Award

Brandon Haley, CGM, Services for Education, Moody, Ala.

Haley served as the certification chair and led updates to the format of the Certified Grounds Manager Application exam. He served as the president of the Georgia PGMS branch, as Southeast regional director and as a Green Star Award judge. He is a member of the education committee and currently serves as the director at large on the national board.

Green Star Honor Award winners

Athletic Complex: University of Arizona, Tucson

Government Building or Complex: Oak Ridge (Tenn.) National Laboratory

School Grounds (K-12, Technical School, Community College): Henderson State University, Arkadelphia, Ark., Nord Anglia Education, London, U.K., and Richland School District No. 400, West Richland, Wash.

Small Site: Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, Pa.

University and College Grounds – Small (0-200 acres): Taylor University, Upland, Ind., and the University of Redlands (Calif).

University and College Grounds – Mid-Size (201-499 acres): Texas Woman’s University System, Denton.

University and College Grounds – Large (500+ acres): Utah State University, Logan, and West Texas A&M University, Canyon.

Urban University Grounds: Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Green Star Grand winners

University and College Grounds – Small (0-200 acres): Aurora University, Mendota, Ill.

University and College Grounds – Mid-Size (201-499 acres): Texas Christian University, Fort Worth.

University and College Grounds – Large (500+ acres): Duke University, Durham, N.C.

Urban University Grounds: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Sustainability Award winner

Georgia Institute of Technology