Jaycee Golf Course in Chillicothe named 2026 Water Conservation Excellence Award winner
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water Resources presented Jaycee Golf Course in Ross County with the 2026 Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Award for its leadership in sustainable golf course management.
The award highlights the course’s two recent investments in water conservation: converting its fairways and tee boxes from traditional cool-season grasses to Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass, a warm-season grass cultivar; and, installing Rain-Bird precision sprinkler heads throughout the property.
“Jaycee Golf Course shows what’s possible when a facility takes a thoughtful, science-based approach to water use,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Through their investments and improvements, they’re conserving one of our state’s most valuable resources while still delivering top-quality conditions for golfers. This is the kind of leadership we hope to see replicated across Ohio.”
Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass is well suited to Ohio’s hot, dry summers, and has been resilient to diseases, excessive rainfall, and the extreme cold experienced during the 2025-2026 winter. In addition to less water use, Jaycee Golf Course has significantly reduced its fungicide budget and electricity usage for irrigation following the establishment of the new grass. Unlike warm-season grasses, cool-season grasses struggle in Ohio’s summers and require excessive irrigation and chemical application to maintain health and playability.
The water savings from converting to a warm-season grass species are reinforced by the course’s new Rain-Bird irrigation system, which applies water only where it is needed, when it’s needed, and eliminates unnecessary watering of non-play areas.
Following the installation of Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass, the Jaycee Golf Course has attracted interest from other golf course superintendents who want to learn about the transition process and maintenance, evaluate its environmental and economic benefits, and see the high-quality playing conditions.
The Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Awards are part of ODNR’s continued mission to support water sustainability, highlight best practices, and inspire communities and organizations across the state. In 2025, ODNR recognized Blacklick Woods Golf Course, a Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks course, for its conversion from cool-season grass to Zoysia grass, another warm-season grass variety, at its courses and other areas of the property.
For more information on the recipients visit ohiodnr.gov/owcea and for additional water conservation resources, visit ohiodnr.gov/water-conservation. ODNR will accept nominations for the 2027 Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Awards in January 2027.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.