For more than 40 years, Tim Hiers has been practicing environmental stewardship in one of the country's most affluent and intensely competitive golf markets.
He has redefined sustainability by being on the forefront of using new-to-the-market grasses that help reduce inputs and redirect labor and he's incorporated habitat for native plants and wildlife all while producing playing conditions that are second to none in the Naples, Florida area.
On Saturday, Feb. 3, Hier's efforts will be recognized when he receives the 2018 USGA Green Section Award.
Presented annually since 1961, the USGA Green Section Award recognizes "an individual's distinguished service to the game of golf through his or her work with turfgrass, including research, maintenance and other areas that positively impact the landscape upon which golf is played."
A graduate of Lake City (Florida) Community College (now Florida Gateway College) Hiers, has been a golf course superintendent since 1976 and currently serves as the director of agronomy at The Club at Mediterra in Naples. Hiers stands at the forefront of golf's environmental opportunities and challenges, while also driving advances in golf course management. An avid and articulate educator, he frequently hosts visitors ranging from school field trips to scientists and government officials.Under his direction in 1994, Collier's Reserve in Naples became the first golf course to earn Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary status. Six years later, he joined The Old Collier Golf Club and led the effort to achieve the first designation of Audubon International Gold Signature Cooperative Sanctuary. There, he was the first superintendent to totally grass a golf course with paspalum. There, he chose Platinum paspalum for traits such as shade and cold tolerance and bright green color. When he moved to Mediterra, he regrassed 36 holes there with Platinum also.
"I learned to play golf on a cow pasture and I've been hooked on the game ever since," said Hiers. "In this business, you can never learn enough. There's always a challenge, and that's what I love about being a superintendent. It's a privilege to be recognized for just doing what you love every day."
During his career Hiers has been recognized for his accomplishments with the following awards:
> 1986 Florida GCSA Distinguished Service Award.
> 1993 Southeastern Environmental Steward Award.
> 1994 John James Audubon Environmental Steward Award.
> 1994 GCSAA National Environmental Steward Award.
> 1995 GCSAA Presidents Environmental Leadership Award.
> 1998 Florida Turf Grass Association Wreath of Grass Award.
> 2009 GCSAA Excellence in Government Relations Award.
He will receive the Green Section award at the USGA's annual meeting Saturday in Miami Beach.