DTE Golf Adopts Water-Saving Innovation at The Villages

January 2026

DTE Golf

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DTE Golf Superintendent

DTE Golf is proud to announce that Rich Fioretto, Golf Superintendent with DTE Golf at the Belvedere Executive Courses in The Villages, has been featured in a recent USGA Green Section article spotlighting innovation, sustainability, and excellence in golf course management.

The USGA feature explores the unparalleled scale of golf at The Villages — home to 765 holes across 13 championship courses and 42 executive courses — and highlights how agronomy teams are embracing data-driven tools to deliver consistent playing conditions while using water more responsibly.

Central to that effort is the USGA Moisture Meter, a cutting-edge tool recently introduced by Fioretto and his team. The Moisture Meter allows superintendents to precisely measure soil moisture levels on greens, enabling smarter irrigation decisions that protect plant health, enhance playability, and significantly reduce unnecessary water use.

“We check greens on each of the three courses we look after, looking for consistency in our numbers. By identifying high and low moisture levels, we can dictate exactly what we need to do with our irrigation. The USGA Moisture Meter gives us the data to make each green consistent from one course to the next — and that consistency helps us use water more efficiently.”

— Rich Fioretto, Superintendent DTE Golf

The USGA Green Section is actively bringing this technology to the golf industry as part of its broader mission to promote sustainable turf management practices. At a community the size of The Villages, the impact of those practices is substantial.

“This tool allows us to look at real data, not guesswork. It improves the consistency of our greens and, in the long run, our cultural practices. As we build trends over time, it’s going to be a game-changer for how we manage water and maintain quality.”

— Greg Wiecorek, Manager of Maintenance, Executive Courses at The Villages

As a superintendent with DTE Golf, Fioretto oversees day-to-day course conditions at the Belvedere Executive Courses, applying advanced agronomic tools and best-in-class maintenance strategies to ensure uniform turf conditions across multiple properties. His recognition reflects DTE Golf’s commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and environmental responsibility.

“Using objective data allows us to be confident in our decisions,” Fioretto added. “No matter which course or hole we’re working on, we know we’re doing what’s best for the turf and the resources we’re managing.”

DTE Golf is proud to partner with The Villages and the USGA in adopting innovations that enhance both golfer experience and long-term sustainability. This recognition underscores how thoughtful superintendent leadership and modern technology can work together to protect one of golf’s most valuable resources: water.

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