Reel Turf Techs Podcast

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On this episode of Reel Turf Techs, we’re talking with Tyler Bradshaw, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, Texas. From forklift operator to auto tech to golf course wrench, Tyler’s 21-year journey into turf began when he was asked to fill in for a vacationing mechanic and never left.

Now overseeing two assistants and a wide fleet including Toro, Deere, Stihl, Baroness, Jacobsen, and Kubota, Tyler shares how his ASE certification and fab skills help keep his shop running smooth. We talk welding setups, EMCP exams, earning his CTEM, and what it’s like transitioning from municipal golf to a Top 50 private club hosting a Korn Ferry Tour Championship. Bonus: fab talk, chop saw praise, and guitars.

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Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 146!

Today we’re talking to James Breeze, Machinery Technician at Huddersfield Golf Club in Yorkshire, England, one of the oldest and most celebrated golf courses in the North of England. James is the lone tech in the shop, managing a fleet of mostly Toro equipment, and he’s also the recipient of the inaugural Bernhard Academy technician volunteer opportunity for the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club.

We caught up with James at the 125th U.S. Open after a string of 4 a.m. volunteer shifts alongside a seasoned team of equipment managers. He shares insights on the camaraderie and precision it takes to keep things running smoothly at a major tournament.

James talks about his roots in sports field greenkeeping, teaching himself the mechanical side of the job, and the pivotal people who supported his transition. He reflects on the importance of learning from mistakes, the value of staying curious even at a high level, and how hiking and photography in the Yorkshire countryside help him reset outside the shop.

Also: he tries to explain Yorkshire pudding to Trent. (It doesn’t go great.)

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Today we’re talking to Jeff Rockhold, Equipment Manager at Stone Canyon Golf Club in Blue Springs, MO, and his son, Jacob Rockhold, CGCS, Director of Agronomy.

Stone Canyon is a public 18-hole course with mostly John Deere and Toro equipment.

After a long career in HVAC (and one too many crawl spaces), Jeff made the switch to turf when Jacob hired him on to mow fairways in a semi-retired gig. We talk about what Jeff has discovered in his second career, how turning wrenches on the course compares to HVAC work, what he enjoys about the golf industry, and how this father-son duo makes it work (at quitting time, roles go right back to normal)!

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Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 144.

Today we’re talking to Moe Rateb, Equipment Manager at Crowfield Golf Club, an 18-hole municipal course owned by the city of Goose Creek, SC. Moe is the lone tech in the shop, maintaining a mostly Toro fleet and managing it all with skill, heart, and a sense of humor.

We dive into Moe’s path into turf, from starting at a muni for the retirement benefits to learning the ropes of reel grinding and golf course equipment. He shares how his auto-mechanic stepdad inspired his mechanical mindset, and how he's found mentorship and fellowship within the equipment manager community.

Moe talks time management as a working dad and youth sports coach, and how he makes space for his own hobbies, including foraging, metal detecting, and creating healthy habits. Plus, we get into the importance of taking care of yourself in a role that often puts others first.

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Today we’re talking with Tyler Miget, Equipment Manager at Harmony Club in Fort Collins, Colorado. An alumni of the GCSAA Melrose Equipment Management Experience and the Bernhard Academy’s Links to Success program, Tyler brings a unique path and thoughtful perspective to the role.

From turning wrenches with his grandfather to working in nonprofits and running his own handyman business, Tyler’s journey to the golf course shop has been anything but typical. Now overseeing a mostly Deere fleet (and transitioning to Toro), Tyler leads a small but mighty team of 0–2 techs depending on the season.

In this episode, we talk about leadership, the power of coaching, and how taking care of mental health, including finding the right therapist, has shaped his approach. Tyler shares what fuels his balance at home with his wife and two young kids, a tip for shop organization inspired by classic French cooking, and his biggest takeaways from two of the most respected professional development programs for turf equipment managers.

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Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 142!
Today we’re talking to Chris Snyder, Equipment Manager at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria, Illinois.

Mt. Hawley is a private 18-hole course spread across 110 scenic acres next to Peoria Lake. Chris has been at the course for over 30 years, surviving everything from a decade without a grinder to a full course renovation — and he’s still going strong.

Chris’s love of motorcycles steered him toward a degree in applied science with an automotive focus, eventually leading him to the parks district and then into golf course equipment management. He’s the lone tech in the shop during the busy summer months, maintaining a mostly Toro fleet with EZGO carts, and is a big believer in preventative maintenance — a lesson he learned early on from his dad, who once built an airplane in their garage.

We talk about how Chris keeps things fresh after decades on the job, the importance of patience, surviving parts shortages and budget challenges, smart tips for setting up new equipment, and why you should always pay close attention to the leaf blade with your prism gauge (and your phone!). Plus, his favorite shop tool, his gamer side, and how he balances work with family time.

Let’s jump in with Chris!

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Meet David Gummo, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Sands Point Golf Club in Sands Point, New York. Sands Point is a private 18-hole golf and skeet club where David manages a mostly Toro fleet, with a few pieces of John Deere and a lone Jacobsen.

David shares how his journey began at just 14 years old in a vocational high school outdoor power equipment program, eventually becoming part of the inaugural graduating class of Penn State’s Turf and Agricultural Equipment program. Now a father of three-year-old twins and an avid gamer, David talks about the unique challenges he faced after making a major geographic move, and how prioritizing physical fitness and mental health helped him thrive in his new role and in life.

From his appreciation for fabricating and working on Takeuchi equipment to his thoughts on shop organization and managing with limited help in the shop, David brings valuable insight and honesty to the mic

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In this episode of the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, we sit down with Jim Merritt, founder and CEO of JRM, Inc. Jim’s journey in the turf industry began as a teenager working on golf courses, eventually leading to a successful career as a superintendent in North Carolina. Frustrated with the quality of aerification tines in the early 1990s, he started crafting his own—building a product that lasted longer and performed better. What began as a side project evolved into a partnership with Redexim Holland, paving the way for JRM’s creation.

Jim shares the origins of his innovative approach to bedknives and reels, the importance of listening to customers, and his vision for the future of JRM. He also reflects on his unconventional career path, from his family's accounting tradition to pursuing turfgrass science at the encouragement of a mentor. Join us for a deep dive into the mind of a turf industry innovator, his philosophy on success, and, of course, his two heroes—Jesus and Tarzan.

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In Episode 139 of the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, we sit down with Carl Michael, Equipment Manager at Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL. Growing up in the turf industry, Carl's journey began when his family bought a golf course in foreclosure, teaching themselves the business from the ground up. After completing a two-year ag and mechanics program followed by a turfgrass degree at Penn State and working as a superintendent at his family’s course, he eventually transitioned to the equipment side in Florida.

Carl shares the unique challenges of maintaining equipment during the club’s annual one-month closure, the shift in mindset from agronomics to equipment, and the importance of a solid foundation in cutting units. He also reflects on his love for working on the course, spending time at the ball field, and perfecting his skills on the pellet grill. We discuss the importance of exposing young people to the golf course mechanic profession and the rewarding career opportunities it offers. Tune in for a conversation about turf equipment management, industry challenges, and a shared love for the 90-degree ¼-inch Snap-on ratchet!

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In Episode 138 of the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, we’re live from the trade show floor at the 2025 GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego! This special episode features conversations with three industry pros sharing their experiences, insights, and takeaways from the event.

Justin Wilkerson, a first-time attendee, braved a Wyoming blizzard to make it to sunny SoCal. He discusses the best education sessions he attended, the innovations catching his eye on the trade show floor, and the challenges of implementing cutting-edge technology—like autonomous mowers and agricultural drones—at a remote cattle ranch.

Chris Whittaker, CTEM, shares his thoughts on his favorite class, teaching on the importance of superintendents supporting their equipment managers’ professional growth, and what Canadian EMs do during the winter months.

Tyler Miget makes history as the first equipment manager selected for the prestigious Bernhard Delegation.

Join us for an exciting episode packed with insights on education, technology, and professional development straight from the heart of the industry’s biggest event!

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