One doctoral student, a master’s candidate and an undergraduate have been selected as the 2004 Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Student Essay Contest winners.

The Environmental Institute for Golf funds the contest and awards a $2,000 scholarship to the first-place recipient, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third. The contest, created in 1963, is open to GCSAA-member undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in turfgrass science, agronomy or any field related to golf course management.

First place went to Phil Dwyer, a doctoral candidate at Michigan State University, for his entry, "Dollar Spot: A New Understanding." Cory St. Clair, a junior at Purdue University, finished second for his entry, "Impact of Round Up Ready Creeping Bentgrass on Golf Course Management," while Patrick McCullough, a master’s candidate at Clemson University, was third for his entry, "Pre-emergence Herbicides May Exacerbate Genetic Instabilities of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass."

In addition to the scholarships, the winning essay may be published or excerpted on the GCSAA Web site. Three judges review the essays, which focus on golf course management.

"Each year we see many outstanding applicants with a strong interest in improving golf course management practices," said GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE. "The challenges of the profession continue to escalate. The future of the golf course superintendent profession will be in good hands with such exceptional students entering the profession."

Entries for the 2005 contest are due March 31, 2005.