Metropolitan Golf Association partners with USGA for course consulting service

The Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) recently reached a new course consulting service agreement with the USGA’s Green Section and its agronomy team.

Through this agreement, the MGA says it will continue its member benefit to clubs hosting MGA championships. Elliott Dowling, regional director of the East region, will lead the effort.

Dowling will make 20 course consultation visits per calendar year. As part of the consultation, Dowling and the team will provide full reports to the club with guidance and recommendation on how facilities can improve agronomic and management strategies and will provide solutions to help courses solve problems and make all-around improvements.

“We are thrilled to work together with the USGA and Elliott Dowling to strengthen our portfolio of member club benefits and provide this important resource as clubs continue to adopt best practices and focus on sustainability,” Brian Mahoney, executive director of MGA, said.

As part of the agreement, Dowling will serve as a consultant for the MGA’s annual Green Chair Education Series. The program brings green chairs and golf course superintendents together each spring, offering a chance to discuss topics in an open forum while also hearing from industry experts on timely and relevant topics in the industry.

“With the long-shared history between the MGA and USGA, we are very excited to take the next step in our relationship with the MGA by providing agronomic consulting in support of their member clubs,” said Jeff Kinney, director of sales and operations for the UGSA Green Section. “The timing could not be better to start in 2023 with Elliott Dowling coming to the area bringing superintendent experience as well as more than ten years on staff as a USGA agronomist.”