TurfNet RADIO

In this episode, old Boof hijacks the radio show and skillfully forces RW to answer questions he has long avoided, like Dad's most guarded turf secret. Storytime features one of Momma's favorite stories, specially adapted to the season we find ourselves in now.

Frank speaks in this episode with PBI-Gordon’s West Research Scientist, Dr. Chrissie Segars. Dr. Segars received a BS at Clemson University, spent a short time as Grad Assistant at LSU “watching Les Miles eating grass”, then an MS and Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University under the tutelage of Dr. Dennis Martin. Short stints in academic life ultimately led to Dr. Segar’s current role exploring Biological Control products as West Research Scientist for PBI-Gordon.

This is a lively conversation with a passionate professional committed to educating, encouraging and doing some exploring for the next generation of turfgrass professionals.

Brad Klein talks with Scott Ramsay, CGCS, about his career as a golf course superintendent as well as his new position as an ambassador for U.S. Pitchcare, a consulting service started by a trio of golf course superintendents to help other greenkeepers and sports turf managers find solutions to common turfgrass challenges. 

Ramsay, the 2006 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year and a past president of the Connecticut GCSA, talks about his career managing a union operation at Yale Golf Club, his decision to retire as a superintendent and what led him to U.S. Pitchcare.

Their discussion looks at how the job of a golf course superintendent has changed and the shifting demands placed upon the position, such as environmental and government regulations and challenges, golfer demand, labor issues and sacrifices on family time to name a few.

Finally, as new course construction remains slow compared to golf's boom-and-bust era of a generation ago, the discussion includes the focus on restoration projects and the importance of investing in the golf course.

Things get a little touchy at Rockbottum Country Club as all sorts of factors converge to create a divisive, unstable golf course environment. Economic pressures mount, new regulations choke the workflow and another screenager joins the crew, driving Momma to the point of madness. Okay, maybe it's just a short putt.

This episode, with Dr. Becky Bowling, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Tennesee, focuses on the emerging need for working with people when studying and managing turfgrass systems.

Dr. Bowling receved her MS at Texas Tech and Ph.D. at University of Georgia with Dr. Gerald Henry. Her research and extension efforts have focused on evaluating and communicating turfgrass best management practices to promote water efficiency, water capture, and water quality in turfgrass systems and related urban greenspaces.

Frank catches up with Jim Croxton, CEO of the British and international Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) to discuss their recent visit to join in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Icelandic Greenkeepers Association.

Jim is a keen observer and insightful leader of one of the great employee organizations in golf. Lots of fun in this listen and lots to learn about advocating for greenkeeping around the globe!

Kate Torgersen is the owner and founder of Environmental Golf Solutions Australia and now the Torgersen Gilbey partnership, a new company Kate is founding (with Monina Gilbey of Green Gecko Studios) to address emerging needs in golf course environmental stewardship.

Frank and Kate speak about the challenges and opportunities for expanding naturalized/native vegetation on your golf course working across staff, members, community groups, government, and anti-golf groups. Kate is a refreshing voice for the golf industry with other leaders such as Brianne Kenny nurturing a culture of environmental stewardship.

Frank has a lively conversation with Brian Stiehler, CGCS MG, the golf course superintendent at Highlands (NC) Country Club and Past President of the Carolinas GCSA.

Brian discusses his beginnings in Pennsylvania, his years with the late Dr. George Hamilton at Penn State, and a stint at the Old Course in St. Andrews.

The conversation makes its way to his passion for model trains and public service in his local community.

In this episode Frank speaks with Trent Manning, Certified Turfgrass Equipment Manager and host of the Reel Turf Techs Podcast.  Trent is the equipment manager at Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek in Roswell, Ga, and recipient of the 2022 Edwin Budding Award from the GCSAA, recognizing an equipment manager who has made a significant impact on the golf course and turf industry.

This is a far-reaching conversation that reviews the perceptions and stereotypes of the EM position and how real expertise contributes to the success of an operation. Trent clarifies some of the technical aspects of turf equipment and the vital importance of communication for a successful EM.

In this episode, Frank speaks with Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of Turfgrass Stress Physiology at Texas A&M, Dr. Manuel Chavarria. Manuel and Frank discuss his progression from Forest Systems in Mexico through his years of study at Texas and brief stint at the former Prairie Turfgrass Research Center in Canada, to his current position at Texas A&M.  Manuel and Frank discuss research on salinity stress, pigments and paints and his pioneering effort to provide turfgrass education in Spanish!