Stephen Smith, a New York State Turfgrass Association board member, died on September 6.
Smith, a two term president of the NYSTA, worked for many years in irrigation sales and as a golf course superintendent and was a past president of the Hudson Valley GCSA. He was recognized in 2000 for his achievements and commitment to the industry with NYSTA’s most prestigious award – the Citation of Merit. He founded many programs that are the hallmarks of the association today, including the first Poa Annual Golf Tournament held in the Hudson Valley and the matching funds program at Cornell University that led the way for the New York Turfgrass Foundation, an endowment fund for education and research.
Smith also helped found the annual Southeast Regional Conference and the Sullivan County Challenge, an annual golf tournament that supports turfgrass research.