Richard H. Hurley

An accomplished agronomist, Dr. Hurley specializes in the development and selection of grasses to complement golf course and sports field construction. He handles projects both domestically and abroad, including Europe and the Far East. He has authored dozens of professional articles, and some of his writings have been translated into Japanese.

Since 1978 he has served in a volunteer capacity preparing Augusta National Golf Club for the Masters. A recipient of several national awards, he is also a member of the New Jersey Turfgrass Hall of Fame.

Rich joined Empire Golf Management in 1998, supervising agronomy operations for course designs and construction, while also directing the use and establishment of turfgrass and natural plant selection. He continues to provide his extensive knowledge of turfgrass management for existing courses, as well as, the development of Empire's new construction.

A past president of the New Jersey Turfgrass Association and Turfgrass Foundation, Dr. Hurley received his Master's Degree from the University of Rhode Island [Plant Science & Turfgrass Management], and his Ph.D. from Rutgers University [Soils & Crops and Turfgrass Breeding].