TurfNet RADIO

In this month's Storytime, learn about the Christmas Miracle that led RW and familty to leave the nomadic military life and transition to the nomadic golf life.  Also, we cover a few current news items in golf and maybe some non-golf stuff.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Dr. Sara Stricker, the Communications and Outreach Coordinator for the Guelph Turfgrass Institute in Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Sara and Frank chat about the people that support the education and research at one of the historically significant turfgrass science programs in the world. Sara expounds upon her wealth of experience in plant pathology, teaching and research that has shaped her perspective on her current role communicating science to the public and to the industry the GTI has so effectively served for over 30 years.

Bradley S. Klein talks with Nick Mazzella about consulting on golf course projects, including renovation projects as well as new construction jobs spurred by the resurgent golf economy. The discussion includes the increased need for a project manager as projects increase in complexity due to the many facets of each job.

In this episode Franks speaks with Amy Fouty, CSFM with The Motz Group as a Natural Grass Field Consultant. She was formerly at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, but before that in the golf industry.  Amy speaks with great candor and professionalism about her career path, working in very high profile situations, and dealing with coaches and administrators. She shares her experience working with her mentors and building a network that helped her face some big challenges.  She has learned the power of cooperating internally with your team and externally with administrators.

Fred Taylor, CGCS, retired in early October, 2023, after a 43-year stint working exclusively at Mankato Golf Club in his hometown of Mankato, Minnesota. Fred followed in the "bootsteps" of Boots Fuller in 1992, becoming who would wind up as only the third superintendent at MGC in almost 100 years.

Fred takes credit for all that goes wrong and give his staff credit for all that is right on the golf course. He has over the years served as a buffer between the staff and club membership,"running interference" for his staff and allowing them to do their jobs unhindered by the inevitable politics of private club operations.

Listen in as Fred, a long-time TurfNet member, recounts some of the highlights of his career and the enjoyment he has gotten from it. Fred will also be honored this December by the Minnesota Golf Course Superintendents Association with their Distinguished Service Award.

In this episode Vice President of Hanse Design Jim Wagner has a chat with Frank about the creative process in designing golf courses. Jim and Frank discuss how the renewed excitement for golf, climate change and a good owner are all impacting golf course architecture.

Sam Moynihan took over the reins at Detroit Golf Club this spring just 90 days prior to hosting the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Soon thereafter vandals painted two greens with Roundup as a "welcome" present. The challenge for Sam was on.

A graduate of West Virginia Univiersity with a degree in agriculture, Sam kicked off his turf career with a stint at Muirfield Village Golf Club, first under Paul B Latshaw and then Chad Mark. He then moved over to Caves Valley Golf Club for the next five years as first assistant, including hosting the BMW Championship in 2021.

Listen in as Sam relates his stressful first months at DGC, repairing the two vandalized greens and hosting a successful RMC event. Find out what Sam can't do without on the golf course, while we take a peek at his rrelationship with his wife Emily since getting married at Muirfield Village.

In this episode, RW hands out the coveted Rockbottum Major Award for the best TurfNet Forum Topic ever.  Momma has a lively discussion with a government official who mistakenly believes Social Security is an "Entitlement" while helping him realize the folks north of Richmond need to improve their listening skills.  Also, RW explains how to achieve positivity on the golf course by being positive, not just sounding positive.

James Morgan was fresh out of Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College) and a summer/part-time stint at the Country Club of Orlando when he followed CCO superintendent Kasey Kauff to build Trinity Forest in Dallas. Morgan started as an assistant and was promoted to superintendent during his 5+ year stay at the Coore/Crenshaw layout. That Coore/Crenshaw connection led him to being selected to grow in Wicker Point Golf Club on Lake Martin, the first new golf construction in Alabama since 2004.

Wicker Point opened for play last week, culminating Morgan's efforts since he arrived there in March, 2021. In this conversation with Peter McCormick, James relates how his experiences and connections (including Green Start Academy) led him to this point in his career and as a TurfNet Rising Star of Turf.

Rob Munro is finishing up his third season at Cabot Cliffs in Inverness, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, the #1 rated golf course in Canada. Rob landed there with a turf degree from Olds College in Alberta and Poa-and-bentgrass experience at Capilano Golf & Country Club on Vancouver Island, BC. This winter he will travel to New Zealand to satisfy both his yearning for travel and to also put another bullet in his agronomic holster. Have a listen and see why Lee Strutt, Director of Agronomy at Cabot Cape Breton, described Rob as "a leading superintendent of the future for all the right reasons."