Bayer announces Plant Health Scholarship recipients

Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, announced its two Plant Health Scholarship recipients. Michael K. McNamara, GCSAA Class A superintendent, TPC Prestancia, Sarasota, Fla., and John Petrovsky, GCSAA Class SM superintendent, Greenbriar Woodlands Golf Club, Toms River, N.J., will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to be used toward continuing education in the area of plant health.

The Plant Health Scholarship is one of four educational opportunities available to superintendents as part of the Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow program Bayer developed in collaboration with the GCSAA’s Environmental Institute for Golf.

“Our aim with the Plant Health Scholarship is to equip superintendents with the knowledge and tools to address some of their greatest challenges,” said David Wells, golf business manager for Bayer’s T&O business.

McNamara, who recently began a new position as superintendent at TPC Prestancia, plans to use the funds to attend the educational coursework offered by GCSAA at the 2014 Golf Industry Show in Orlando, Fla. He has worked in the turf industry for 20 years and has participated in many industry advancement programs, including Bayer’s and John Deere’s Green Start Academy. He has also been the recipient of numerous GCSAA and other industry scholarships and awards.

Petrovsky, superintendent at Greenbriar Woodlands Golf Club, has worked in the industry for 10 years. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Turfgrass Science at Penn State University, and plans to use the Plant Health Scholarship to help fund his full-time coursework. He is an active member of GCSAA and the GCSA of New Jersey.