Dr. James Watson (1920-2013) was known for a variety of turfgrass-related accomplishments, both nationally and internationally. He received his bachelor’s degree in agronomy in 1947 from Texas A&M University and in 1950 earned his doctorate from Penn State University. After graduating, he became an assistant professor at Texas A&M before joining the Toro Company in 1952 as the Director of Agronomy. Dr. Watson was responsible during that time for leading a team of 25 researchers, and establishing test plots. The area where these tests were conducted is now known as the Dr. James R. Watson Research & Development Proving Grounds. By the end of his illustrious career at the Toro Company, Dr. Watson retired not only with the title of Vice President of Agronomy, but also having led the way in turfgrass research for adaptability of species and cultivars, fertilization practices, equipment development, snow mold prevention, and water management research, to name a few focal interests. Following retirement, Dr. Watson acted as a consultant to both the Toro Company and the turfgrass industry as a whole. He was the recipient of numerous industry awards, including the United States Golf Association’s Green Section Award in 1976, the first recipient of the Crop Society of America’s Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award in 1987, the Old Tom Morris Award from GCSAA in 1995, the USGA Green Section’s Piper and Oakley Award in 1998, and the USGA’s Ike Grainger Award in 2009. Those throughout the industry agree that he was a man with vision and knowledge, revered as a pioneer in turfgrass science, and that turfgrass science has been made considerably better thanks to his extensive efforts over the years. A dedicated turfgrass researcher, Dr. Watson passed away on October 1st, 2013 at the age of 92.