COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Water Resources has awarded Jaycee Golf Course in Ross County the 2026 Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Award, honoring the Chillicothe facility for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable land and water management.
The annual award recognizes organizations across the state that lead the way in protecting Ohio’s natural resources. Jaycee Golf Course earned this year’s top honor following a major dual-investment project: converting its fairways and tee boxes to Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass and installing precision Rain-Bird sprinkler heads across 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.”
Science-Backed Turf Conversion Yields Big Savings
Traditional cool-season grasses often struggle during Ohio’s hot, dry summers, requiring heavy irrigation and chemical treatments to stay healthy. By switching to Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass—a drought-tolerant, warm-season cultivar—Jaycee Golf Course has significantly slashed its overall water consumption.
Beyond using less water, the course has reported substantial drops in both electricity usage for irrigation pumps and its annual fungicide budget. The specialized Bermudagrass has proven exceptionally durable, weathering Ohio’s intense summer heat, periods of heavy rain, disease pressures, and the extreme cold snap during the 2025–2026 winter.
Complementing the turf upgrade is a state-of-the-art Rain-Bird irrigation system. The high-precision technology ensures targeted delivery—applying water strictly where and when it is needed while eliminating wasted coverage on non-playable areas.
Setting a New Benchmark for Regional Golf Courses
Jaycee Golf Course’s success has quickly made it a regional model for environmental and operational efficiency. Golf course superintendents from across the region have visited the Chillicothe property to observe the turf, evaluate the economic benefits, and study the transition process firsthand.
The facility’s recognition follows ODNR’s 2025 award to Blacklick Woods Golf Course in Franklin County, which was recognized for converting its turf to Zoysia grass—reflecting a growing statewide trend toward warm-season grass adoption in golf management.
Nomination details for the 2027 Ohio Water Conservation Excellence Awards will be announced in January 2027. More information about award recipients and state water conservation resources is available at ohiodnr.gov/owcea.
