Rodney Lingle, who invented the grass that Turfs Streamong’s greens, has been honored with the USGA Green Section warding.
USGA/Ian Culley
If there is one more attractive thing than to watch grassis applying what you learn from those observations to grow Bouquet.
Rodney Lingle has enjoyed both chases.
Lingle, 74, the former long -term Memfis (tenn). . His exhaustive work inspired a move throughout the industry focused on playing good rules for countless players and golf courses across the country, and ultimately led Lingle to a fundamental achievement: his Mach development 1, a high and elastic Ultradwarf Bermuda performance that Bermuda he brought to full -scale tests in 2015 and since then has taken root in greens ranging from such southeastern marked properties as FlowingAtlanta Athletic Club and Resort in courses in Arizona, Hawaii and beyond.
Lingle patent Mach 1, which is not his only legally protected invention. In 2008, he began to prototize an innovative system of greens brushes, which he later licensed to Toro. The product, which Lingle designed to help the grass blades get closer, remains known in the market today as the brush of the excellence of the greens.
For all its impact on ground maintenance, Lingle made an even greater impact as a mentor, helping guidance and feeding the career of countless supervisors. Turning his large volumes of knowledge into an open book, Lingle shared his expertise with colleagues in the field management workshops at the Memphis CC, where he also received hundreds of supervisors, presenting them with his new techniques of field care.
In recognizing those sustainable contributions to trade, Lingle has now received the agronomic equivalent of an Oscar. On Wednesday, he was awarded the USGA Green Section Award in 2025, which has been presented every year since 1961 and honors the distinguished Golf service through the work of an individual with turf.
“Everyone in Golf should know the name of Rod Lingle – and follow his example,” said Mike Whan, CEO of USGA, in a written statement that accompanied the price notice. “Rod has formed careers, has changed the way we think about the maintenance of the golf course and has never been satisfied with the status quo. But there is no greater heritage you can leave than to count as a teacher and dear friend. “
Like many supervisors, Lingle entered the golf agronomy through his golf love. A domestic Mississippi, he played high school competitive, and recreational while studying at the University of Mississippi. At the beginning of his college education, Lingle was a great liberal art. But as he thought about his future career options, he caught the smell of a field science science program in Mississippi State: a pragmatic road in a life in Golf.
Never forget the scary rivalry between schools – “they were like oil and water,” says Lingle – the chance was very good to resist. Lingle was transferred to the enemy campus. He never looked back.
After landing his first field work in Hattiesburg Country Club in 1974, Lingle signed as a Memphis CC Superintendent, a role he held for 37 years before crossing at Escondido Golf and Lake Club, Texas.
Since retirement two years ago, Lingle has returned to play Golf, a hobby that fell mainly off the road while he tends to golf courses. Last year, at 73, he shot his age in some cases. He has also remained active as a field care consultant, holding his hand in a career that always felt more like a call than a task.
“I have always liked to be out and stay productive,” Lingle says. “I loved it so much, never looked like work.”
