“The criteria really is outstanding contributions to the golf industry, in the sense of a more cumulative career or lifetime award,” said Greg Lyman, the GCSAA director of environmental programs.

Dinelli graduated from MSU in 1983 with a degree in turfgrass management and is the superintendent at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Ill.

He said the environment is one thing that drew him to the profession.

“It’s a job where you’re outside, and I enjoy being outside,” Dinelli said.

Dinelli’s course is about 20 miles north of Chicago and spans about 170 acres. He said he feels fortunate to have an influence over a piece of land so large and so close to the city.

MSU was the most solid fit of all the schools he applied to, Dinelli said.

“When I went around to visit the schools, MSU just seemed to be a more comfortable environment, the campus was wonderful and has a great emphasis on horticulture with plants and trees and landscaping,” he said.

One of Dinelli’s professors, Joe Vargas, said he isn’t surprised that Dinelli won an environmental award.

“He was certainly one of the brightest students I ever had,” Vargas said. “He always had a commitment to the environment, is a leader in the golf course industry and uses as few pesticides as possible.”

One approach Dinelli uses to manage his golf course is called integrated pest management, or IPM. This approach uses many types of methods to control pests, including insects and plant diseases, Lyman said.

Besides IPM, Dinelli has conducted pond bank restoration projects, soil matting, vegetation analysis and worked to increase wildlife habitat, he said.

“He is perpetually looking for a better and more environmentally savvy way to manage their golf course,” Lyman said. “He’s not afraid of complicated problems.”