Parker Anderson

Research Scientist, University of Minnesota

Parker Anderson is a research scientist in the Turfgrass Science Lab in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Minnesota. He is the facilitator of the Science of the Green Initiative, a research partnership between the USGA and the University of Minnesota that focuses on developing research and innovation strategies, which address sustainability challenges facing the golf industry and promote and implement best practices leading to a sustainable future for the industry.

Parker is a member of the PGA and GCSAA, and holds master’s degrees in Landscape Architecture (MLA) and Sustainable Systems (MS) from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and Environment. His master’s project, “Greener Golf: An Ecological, Behavioral, and Communal Study of the University of Michigan Golf Courses” explored the position of the two university golf courses with regard to environmental, economic, and social sustainability.

In addition to the study, the project provided innovative recommendations to guide the golf courses towards sustainable management practices as well as created a design for a 19-acre nine-hole sustainable golf living learning laboratory adjacent to one of the university golf courses.

Parker was a team member in the construction of “The Loop” at Forest Dunes, an innovative Tom Doak-designed reversible 18-hole golf course located in Michigan. Additionally, Parker is an experienced beekeeper and pollinator advocate, teacher, and sustainability consultant.

Previous to his graduate school work, Parker served as director for the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association; worked as a PGA professional certified in instruction and golf operations in Palm Desert, the Twin Cities, and Chicago; and competed on various professional golf tours.

Parker earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.