Louis Pitcock, Golf Course Superintendent, Avalon Golf Club joins us on the podcast to share innovative strategies for managing the demands of 300-round days during an endless summer. How does he keep both the turf and crew performing at a high level? His unique approach offers several insights you won’t want to miss.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins catch up with our friend—and returning EarthWorks Podcast guest—Walter Pritchett, Superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Walter recently hosted the ISCO Championship at his course, where Jack had the chance to volunteer. In this episode, Walter shares insights on the prep, the pressure, and the payoff of managing his first PGA tournament.

If you're not familiar with Hurstbourne CC, it's one of Louisville’s hidden gems—steeped in history and known for its exceptional design. Walter discusses what it took to get the course championship-ready and credits Biological Soil Management and EarthWorks products as key to a smooth and successful week.

One player summed it up best: “I thought we were coming to play an off-week tournament in Kentucky—but it felt like a U.S. Open!” With 5-inch rough and small, firm greens, the course demanded precision and finesse. The tournament ended in dramatic fashion with a first-time champion firing a Sunday 61 to win by a stroke.
This episode is full of agronomic insight, tournament prep tips, and great turf talk—don’t miss it! A great conversation with a lot of agronomic and tournament prep ideas great fun for any turf manager.


Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, located in the Fort Myers area of Florida, is a high-traffic public facility with over 55,000 rounds of golf played annually. That alone is a big responsibility for any golf course superintendent—but add in 1,300 homes around the property, all of which rely on the course's irrigation system, and the job becomes even more complex. That’s the daily reality for Tim Kortanek.

We met Tim last year at a Soil First Academy event at John Riley’s property on Longboat Key. Since then, he’s become a strong advocate for Biological Soil Management. His results speak volumes: a significant reduction in ligneous organic matter buildup, fewer aerifications needed, and organic matter that now works for him—not against him. On a course with his level of play, eliminating even a few closures for aerification is a major win.

Tim also reports a noticeable drop in nematode damage and significantly lower nematode counts since he began feeding his soil. Like any successful superintendent, Tim has fostered a strong team culture. He recently secured additional budget for a renovation project that included upgraded drainage and irrigation. He also persuaded management to hire retirees as part-time morning crew—offering free golf as an incentive.

This interview is full of valuable insights that any turf manager can learn from.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

If you're looking to learn a methodical, consistent—and surprisingly peaceful—approach to greenkeeping, this episode is for you. Dave Wood gets the job done with a smile, and Stockton University's greenkeeping success has earned international recognition. After hosting Brazil’s CR Flamengo—one of the world’s most popular sports franchises—Stockton is now a sought-after training base for the 2026 World Cup in North America. You'll enjoy meeting Dave and hearing the key tips and insights he shares on growing cool-season turf, warm-season turf, and flowers.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

In this episode, Charlie Aubry, Director of Agronomy at East Lake, discusses his early career, East Lake’s renovation, and year-round preparation for the Tour Championship. He shares insights on turfgrass choices, design considerations, community involvement, and what makes the course’s conditioning world-class—plus some personal favorites in a lightning round.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

On this episode of the EarthWorks Podcast, step back into the early days of the United States. We visit Liberty Hall Museum in Union, New Jersey, adjacent to Kean University and once home to a founding family, including a signer of the Constitution and the first elected governor of New Jersey. Kayla Doyle, Curator of Archives, sets the stage with historical context before Megan Couch, Assistant Director of Grounds, and Jeff Eckert, Director of Buildings and Grounds, join us for a lively discussion about the museum’s beautiful plants and grounds. From heirloom varieties to special garden features, they share what makes this historic farm so unique.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Armen Suny returns to the podcast, and once again, he delivers valuable insights that are essential listening for anyone in the golf industry. In this episode, Armen dives into current hiring trends and what clubs are truly looking for in today’s superintendents. He emphasizes the growing importance of leadership and why it's critical for professionals, especially those early in their careers, to invest in leadership training now.We also explore the increasing demand for full time and part time maintenance staff, a shift that's impacting the availability of trained seasonal labor. Armen offers a thoughtful look at how this trend is shaping the future workforce of golf course management.The conversation kicks off with a fascinating comparison between major championship setups from 40 years ago and today, highlighting the evolution in buildouts and course recovery strategies—areas where Armen’s championship experience shines through.Whether you're a seasoned superintendent or an up and coming assistant, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and industry perspective. Armen Suny never disappoints and this interview is no exception.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

In this episode, Kirk Castner takes us through his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to a career in turf and agronomy. He shares how he transitioned from fieldwork to sales at EarthWorks, all while juggling work, family life, and earning two master’s degrees. The conversation explores the inner workings of product manufacturing, supply chain challenges—including the surprising ripple effects of bird flu—and the evolving landscape of organic demand and carbon-based construction. Kirk also weighs in on the economic pressures shaping the industry today. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire lightning round, offering a dynamic glimpse into Kirk’s experiences and insights.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Biological soil management isn’t just theory—it’s real, and every now and then, we meet someone who proves it in remarkable ways. At a recent EarthWorks Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, we had the pleasure of meeting Zac Ramey, a young golf course superintendent with a powerful success story.

Zac introduced himself to Joel Simmons and shared how he transformed the soil profile at the Country Club of Spartanburg, where he serves as Director of Agronomy. When he took the role seven years ago, he inherited what we call a "thatch cake"—a soil profile with ten compacted layers of thatch, each topped with topdressing. It's the kind of photo that draws laughs or groans in our classes, but for Zac, it was all too familiar.

Determined to restore his greens, Zac implemented aggressive aerification combined with a carbon-based fertility program. “When I got there, I was applying over six pounds of nitrogen per year on my greens,” he recalled. He also described the frustratingly slow recovery of aerification holes and the initial pushback from club members. But Zac held his ground, and over two years, he began to see real change. The layers broke up, the soil profile improved, and the playing surface became firmer and more resilient.

This episode is one of our favorites—an inspiring conversation about the transformative power of soil biology and the persistence of a superintendent committed to doing things right. Thank you, Zac, for sharing your journey. This is a story every turf manager should hear.


Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/

Ryan Kuster of Ag Enterprise joins Kevin for an in-depth conversation on the future of sprayer technology. Together, they unpack the mechanics, precision, and innovation driving the evolution of modern turf sprayers. Ryan shares real-world insights and highlights some of Ag Enterprise’s most unique custom projects, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology is enhancing application accuracy and operational efficiency. From GPS integration to data-driven systems, this episode is essential listening for turf professionals looking to stay ahead in the rapidly advancing world of application technology.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/