In three decades as a plant scientist at his alma mater, Clemson University professor emeritus Bert McCarty, Ph.D., has developed a global reputation for his expertise in turfgrass science and weed biology and control.
McCarty recently was named the recipient of the GCSAA Outstanding Contribution Award. The annual award recognizes "someone who has made a significant contribution to (GCSAA) membership, through outstanding contributions for the golf course industry." McCarty will receive the award Feb. 2 at the 2026 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in Orlando.
"His commitment and passion for turfgrass science over the last four decades is a prime example of what the Outstanding Contribution Award celebrates," said GCSAA CEO Rhett Evans.
It was as an undergraduate at Clemson, where he earned a bachelor's degree in 1981, that McCarty first considered a career serving the golf industry.
"At that point, I knew I wanted to go into turf, and at that time golf was the most lucrative portion of turf," McCarty said. "A professor advised me to do an internship at a golf course, and that was what I was doing — intern, summer help, gofer. Whatever. What I did, I really enjoyed, and I knew that was the life I wanted to live. I wanted to be a professional turf person."
McCarty went on to earn a master's degree in turfgrass management in 1983 from North Carolina State and returned to Clemson where he graduated in 1986 with a doctoral degree in plant physiology and pathology.
His career included a stop at the University of Florida before returning to Clemson in 1996.
During his career, McCarty's name has become synonymous with cutting-edge weed science and he has been a trusted voice in researching new herbicide chemistries.
McCarty authored or co-authored about 20 books, including “Best Golf Course Management Practices,” which became a useful tool in helping researchers and superintendents develop BMP guidelines and publications, including one for golf courses in North and South Carolina that he authored in 2014 with Jim Kerns, Ph.D., of NC State.
He has contributed to dozens of other books, authored 120 peer-reviewed journal articles, 175 extension service publications and has delivered hundreds of in-person presentations around the world.
McCarty's dedication and service to the golf industry has resulted in several awards. McCarty received the Distinguished Service Award given by Clemson's College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences. Other awards include the Carolinas GCSA Distinguished Service Award in 2018, and the 2014 Fred Grau Turfgrass Science Award presented by the Crop Science Society of America "in recognition of significant career contributions in turfgrass science during the most recent 15 years." He has been named a Fellow of both the CSSA and the American Society of Agronomy.
"I like teaching. I like site visits," McCarty said. "I like being at golf courses, trying to figure out issues, problems and solutions. I don't do near the research I used to, but I do the things now that interest me, things that have the potential to impact the industry in a positive way. It's been a great run for me. I enjoy the business. I enjoy the university lifestyle. I still teach and do research. Very few days of mine are alike. Every day is different. It's been a great run."
Past winners of the award are: Larry Stowell, Ph.D., and Wendy Gelernter, Ph.D., PACE Turfgrass (2025); Tenia Workman, Georgia GCSA (2024); Fred Yelverton, Ph.D., North Carolina State University (2023); Jack Fry, Ph.D., Kansas State University (2022).