GCSAA names 2025 Dr. James Watson Fellows, supported by The Toro Company

Michael Battaglia, Mikerly Joseph and Zachary Newsome are the 2025 Dr. James Watson Fellows from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship and attend the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando. The Watson Fellowship is supported by The Toro Company and is administered by the GCSAA Foundation, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA.

The Watson Fellowship started in 1998 and is named in honor of the late James R. Watson, Ph.D., a pioneer and visionary in turfgrass research and vice president at The Toro Company. The fellowship recognizes students in postgraduate degree programs who have been identified as scientists going on to be leaders in turfgrass management.

“The future of  golf and its sustainability efforts rely on innovative turfgrass research, and its thanks to researchers like the 2025 Watson Fellowship Program winners that the game of golf continues to thrive,”  said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans said. “We thank The Toro Company for its ongoing support for the Watson Fellowship Program. Congratulations to Mikerly, Michael and Zachary for this honor.”

Battaglia recently began a Ph.D. program in turfgrass pathology at the University of Arkansas, where he also received his master’s degree in horticulture. His graduate research work includes the development of a cooling degree-day model to optimize fungicide applications against spring dead spot (SDS) and exploring strategies for improving SDS management in non-irrigated turfgrass.

Joseph is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in agronomy with a focus on turfgrass weed science at the University of Florida. His doctoral research integrates turfgrass and weed sciences in artificial intelligence-based solutions to develop and optimize a turfgrass-specific ground-bases targeted herbicide application system.

Newsome is working toward a master’s degree in agricultural and environmental plant science at Penn State University after earning his bachelor’s degree in turfgrass science, also from Penn State. His postgraduate research explores how soil moisture influences the behavior, fitness and control of the annual bluegrass weevil. 

“At The Toro Company, our philanthropic mission is rooted in advancing education and research that strengthen the future of the industries we serve,” said Marnie K. Wells, president, The Toro Company Foundation. “The Watson Fellowship embodies that commitment by supporting students whose work is driving meaningful progress in turfgrass science. Through this investment, we help promote sustainable practices, elevate course conditions, and ensure the long-term vitality of the game of golf.”

Watson was a visionary and leading authority on turfgrass as well as vice president for customer relations and chief agronomist for The Toro Company. His passion for educating and developing the next generation of turf scientists was a key reason for the establishment of this fellowship. 
Dr. Watson’s leadership and involvement was recognized in many ways. He was the winner of the USGA Green Section Award in 1976 and the 1977 Agronomic Service Award by the American Society of Agronomy. Watson was also named a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America in 1979, along with winning the 1991 Harry Gill Memorial Award from the Sports Turf Managers Association; the Old Tom Morris Award, a special GCSAA honor, in 1995; and the Donald Rossi Award from the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA).

Over the course of over five decades at The Toro Company, Watson collaborated with the scientific community and customers. He conducted research on water conservation, the adaptability of turfgrasses, fertilization practices, snow mold prevention techniques for the winter protection of turfgrasses and more. He also authored more than 400 articles on turfgrass management.

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