TurfNet RADIO

Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with golf industry analyst J.J. Keegan. Keegan, who has authored several books, including "The Winning Playbook for Golf Courses" in 2020, is one of the golf industry's leading consultants. He and Brad discuss the business of golf as it relates to golf course superintendents, the role of superintendents in driving the business model and what every greenkeeper needs to know about the economics of today's golf industry.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Franks sits down with Dr. James Hempfling, Field Development Scientist for Bayer Crop Sciences to discuss Anthracnose and dollar spot research at Rutgers, transition from academic to industry science, and his passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the golf turf industry. They even get to chat about his musical roots, interests, and the value of a hobby when you are involved in an immersive profession like academics or golf turf management.

Lots to like here and more to learn!

In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, Brad Klein chats with 41-year veteran superintendent Peter Bly of Brooklawn Country Club (Fairfield, CT), host site of the 2021 US Senior Women's Open.

Presented by Golf Preservations, The Andersons and Capillary Bunkers.

In this episode Frank returns to the airwaves to chat with Mike Morris, Golf Course and Property Manager at Crystal Downs Country Club, a classic Alistair MacKenzie/Perry Maxwell course in Frankfort, Michigan. Crystal Downs is thought to have been a motivation for Mackenzie’s work with Bobby Jones on his next project, Augusta National. Mike also has been a pioneer in data driven management, “you can’t manage what you don’t measure”.

Frank end’s the episode chatting with Professor Lee Miller of the University of Missouri about the early 2021 season and philosophically managing turfgrass stress and disease.

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, RW discusses working for corporations and the increasing complexities of lengthy supply line disruptions in modern times.  

Ludell returns from the future to explain how Gen Z solved the problem of professional politicians... and reveals what golf can expect from corporate water tech.

In Storytime, RW tells the tale of his first encounter with corporate indentured servitude:  Woolworth's.

This episode of Frankly Speaking begins with a trip Down Under to discuss golf turf management in Australia with John Neylan, longtime agronomist. Frank and John cover a wide range of topics from Poa annua and herbicide resistance to putting green construction and the glorious golf on the sandbelt near Melbourne. John’s long history with annual bluegrass and experience with growing grass in arid and Mediterranean climates provides excellent insight no matter where you grow grass. There is even some discussion of organic matter management based on Claude Crockford’s method used at the Royal Melbourne.

Frank is joined in the second half of the episode by Jim Koppenhaver of Pellucid Golf to discuss the 2020 season, the start to 2021, and how to use climate and participation data to identify the opportunities to sustain the COVID-bump!

In this episode of "Frank-Lee Speaking", Steve Rabideau of Winged Foot reflects on a career, restoring a couple of classic golf courses and hosting a one-of-kind US Open. The conversation is about construction management, persistence, and managing expectations of a demanding membership and a loyal and dedicated crew. “Nothing prepares you for this.”

Frank also visits with Lee Butler of NC State University discussing issues facing golf course superintendents in the southeast US. Frank and Lee also review the 2020 season in the diagnostic lab that receives samples from around the country. How many were related to a pathogen? Listen to find out.

Presented by Civitas, DryJect and Plant Food Company.

This episode of Rockbottum Radio features another typical day at The Rock, as Cletus realizes why he should wear PPE when spraying, Momma learns how to give legal performance appraisals, Jelsik Muldoon remote applies for a job and famous TurfNetter Charlie Fultz helps remote-write a segment on Emotional Golf Support Animals.

When the crew discusses walk-striping the rough for TV at the TPC, Momma demands RW break his silence and postulate on the matter through Storytime.

RW tells the story of his Dad and The Great Trickle Down... which could have been avoided.

Presented by DryJect.

Frank Rossi connects with fellow Cornell University alum Gil Hanse to discuss his approach to golf course design and the importance of the three-legged stool to effective golf architecture.

Gil discusses the balance of maintenance and playability and how short grass provides hope for the average golfer and a challenging dilemma for the low handicap.

They even get to discuss the music playing in the headphones of the world’s most popular architect! He’s a Dead Head!

New Theme music by Tucker Rossi.

Big thanx for many years of using Grazing in the Grass written by Philemon Hou and performed by South African trumpeteer Hugh Masakela.

As the story goes, “When Masekela was recording an album in 1968, he needed one more song to fill it out. The record company suggested a tune called "Mr. Bull #5" that Masekela had heard on the radio while growing up in Africa.

Philemon Hou, an actor and singer who was visiting the studio that day, came up with a new melody for the song which became the instrumental hit Grazing in the Grass.” It was No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart 53 years ago.

Put on your snorkel or scuba gear and get ready for a deep dive into wetting agents with Glen Obear from Exacto Inc. The lack of uniform regulation and labelling standards has created significant confusion in fully connecting the science to the practice of using wetting agents for soil water management.

Frank and Glen discuss the latest thinking from leading turfgrass soil scientists to make sense of labelling and efficacy data. Hold your breath to learn about the interaction of soil type and wetting agent use, as well knowing when to hold the water and when to drain it!

Presented by DryJect, Civitas Turf and Plant Food Company.