Tony Pioppi chats with Eric Morrison, CGCS at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, CT, about the seemingly perpetual (since 2009) gradual renovation of the 125 year old Donald Ross designed municipal course located on Long Island Sound. Many of the 100+ bunkers are being renovated for the first time, funded with non-traditional financing within a m…

In this pre-holiday episode, Dave introduces his new puppy, Walter, named after Walter Woods, venerable course manager at the St. Andrews Links. Peter laments a depressive nosedive since he lost his dog, Frosty... coupled with short day length and the upcoming holidays, both of which can be emotionally problematic for many people. He relates his ch…

In this special episode of Frankly Speaking highlighting the The First Green program, Frank revisits his conversation with jeff Gullickson, the “Godfather” of the First Green program. The passion that Jeff discusses lays the foundation for the current program managed by Leann Cooper, the Director of First Green And Workforce Development at the GCSA…

After each experiencing the recent death of a beloved dog, both Dave and Peter look forward to the arrival of new puppies. Glimmers include Peter's hearing from many old friends about his written tribute to Frosty, and a barred owl on a nightime "business trip". They touch on triggers for depression, anger, and the state of social media and YouTube…

The latest TurfNet All Star of Turf is Bill Kreuser, Ph.D., of TurfGrade LLC of Lincoln, Nebraska. Kreuser has a wide range of experience in the turf industry. He is a former golf course superintendent and professor at the University of Nebraska, and along with Doug Soldat, Ph.D., of the University of Wisconsin, is the founder of TurfGrade LLC. Tur…

Frank speaks with Murray Cook, Head of Sports Turf Division at Brightview Sports and a 2025 Inductee into the Virgina Sports Hall of Fame. Murray and Frank discuss three decades of experience, in field construction and renovation for multiple MLB stadiums, Olympic venues, and World Baseball Classic facilities. His expertise spans from the major lea…

Listen in as Carson Letot, Ph.D., joins TurfNet's John Reitman to discuss his less-than-traditional route from an intern on a golf course to becoming a school teacher to finally being named program coordinator of the USGA Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program. A former TurfNet intern in Ireland, Letot fills us in on how the one-year GAP program works …

Glimmers galore in this somewhat music-themed show. Peter kicks it off with a glimmer about a hand truck and his mother-in-law, while Dave follows up with a nice reach out from Emily Casey about dear, departed Bruce. Stuck in a loneliness funk after being home alone (with two geriatric dogs) for a couple weeks, Peter's day is brightened by a packag…

Frank speaks with Dr. Chas Schmid from Oregon State University on the evolution of his thinking on organic matter and nutrient management from early days meeting in Nebraska, a stint for Chas Ph.D. at Rutgers University and now as part of the thriving OSU Turfgrass Program. An in-depth discussion of modern-day organic matter management with particu…

In this episode of Renovation Report Emily Casey, assistant superintendent at Seven Canyons Golf Club in Sedona, Arizona, talks with Brad Klein about her non-traditional route into the turf business from the corporate world. Casey, who has been chosen to attend next year's BTME conference as part of the Links to Success program, never played golf b…

In this post-election -- nah -- episode, Dave and Peter share some glimmers, chat about methods for dealing with unwelcome news and limiting the inroads allowed to stressors, talk about sore winners, and dump out the mailbag for comments and feedback. There's a bit of election rehash, the first Lesson from the Bus, and a reaffirmation of why we're …

This episode is a hybridized Podcast/Radio Show starring Mark Hoban, the Jedi Master of golf turf. He forced his way into our studio and demanded we tell the truth about his USGA Metrics Ball methods and results. We managed to trick him into going to lunch early so we could complete the show and slip in a bonus Story Time.…

Frank visits with Kayla Kipp, Certified Turfgrass Equipment Manager at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania. Kayla takes us through her journey as the daughter of a handyman-Dad to her current leadership role at Nemacolin as well her support of Equipment Managers and Technicians benefiting from her involvement in the GCSAA’s education…

Dave and Peter ponder the passing of Dave's dog Bruce, touch on the US election, debate the value of social media participation, and answer the question of whether Turf Twitter is dead.بقلم TurfNet RADIO

Scott Lambert's career in golf began like that of many superintendents — working on a golf course as a summer job. His career shifted onto the fast track after nearly 10 years prepping under William Shirley at Peachtree Golf Club in Brookhaven, Georgia, Lambert ventured 10 miles up the road to Atlanta Country Club, a 1965 William C. Byrd design, wh…

Striking while the iron is hot, Dave and Peter mix it up again with a convo on loneliness at the top and the value of regular face-to-face "safety meetings". Glimmers of the week are shared, as are updates on Bruce and Frosty. Good stuff. Presented by TurfRad.بقلم TurfNet RADIO

Frank got the band back together for their annual conversation about the business of golf. Jim Koppenhaver of Pellucid Golf and Stuart Lindsay of Edgehill Consulting join Frank for a lively chat about the 20 percent growth in golf since the Pandemic, the lower supply of courses, changing golf playing patterns due to remote work and a vibrant econom…

Dave Wilber and Peter McCormick launch a new unscripted podcast series with an impromptu conversation between two old friends, riffing on Life and Health with a little Turf thrown in for good measure. Topics range from Dave's recent weight loss and new job with turfRad to glimmers, positive energy with aging dogs, food noise, mushroom coffee and th…

David Webner is winding up a 42 year career in golf turf management, the last almost-25 of which have been as the golf course superintendent at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River, Ohio, on the west side of Cleveland. Peter McCormick caught up with David and got some fascinating insight into what makes him tick.…

The inimitable Dr. Brandon Horvath from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville joins Frank to chat about his early days growing up playing golf, time with Dr. Joe Vargas, what makes a good candidates for the turfgrass industry, and an elaborate discussion on the analytics of golf and course management. This concludes our interviews of ALL the UT fac…

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Dr. Jay McCurdy, Associate Professor and Mississippi State Turfgrass Extension Specialist, about a variety of topics concerning his career that has spanned from farming in TN to working with Dr. Micah Woods in Asia and now as the Mississippi Turfgrass Extension Specialist. Dr. McCurdy has led t…

Carrie O'Rourke, founder of COR Golf Fitness, teaches golfers how to increase mobility, balance, speed and power, regardless of age or skill level. In this episode of Renovation Report, Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with Carrie about the early days of her career in the field of engineering and how she found her passion in helping people enjoy the …

Carlton Henry was well prepared when he earned his first head superintendent position three years ago at Dedham Country and Polo Club just outside Boston. A native of New York, Henry first prepped at golf courses in his home state, home to the nation’s strictest pesticide regulations. A graduate of the Rutgers turf program, he eventually spent seve…

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.بقلم TurfNet RADIO

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 ultimatel…

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 …

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 hav…

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…

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 naturaliz…

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 …

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…

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 positi…

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, we pay tribute to Matt Jones, longtime member of Rockbottum, former Golf Course Superintendent, GM, US Army vet and more. In the second half of the show, we experience a rather severe outbreak of gossip, back-biting, name-calling and false witness bearing, which leads to Momma finding a solution to this current …

The latest TurfNet All Star of Turf is Jim Pavonetti, CGCS, of Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. A graduate of the Rutgers University turfgrass program, Pavonetti has developed a reputation for providing exceptional playing conditions while also being recognized for his efforts at producing an environmentally friendly landscape. In h…

Brad Klein talks with Bob Farren, CGCS, of Pinehurst Resort about his 40-plus-year career at the 10-course property in the North Carolina Sandhills. Their discussion traces the progression of the property in general and specifically the storied history of Pinehurst's famed No. 2 course that was built by Donald Ross a century ago. Pinehurst No. 2 tr…

Brad Klein talks with Bob Farren, CGCS, of Pinehurst Resort about his 40-plus-year career at the 10-course property in the North Carolina Sandhills. Their discussion traces the progression of the property in general and specifically the storied history of Pinehurst's famed No. 2 course that was built by Donald Ross a century ago. Pinehurst No. 2 tr…

Paul Jamrog has returned "home" to oversee the transformation of the former Metacomet Country Club in East Providence, RI, into Met Links, an innovative 9-hole public golf course on a portion of the 90 acre Metacomet property. Jamrog was the golf course superintendent at Metacomet Country Club from 1994 to 2013, when he transitioned into sales. In …

Our 11th season of Frankly Speaking begins with a conversation with Professor Ross Braun, one of the great young minds in turfgrass science from Kansas State University. Director of the Rocky Ford Turfgrass Research Center, Ross received his MS and Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science with previous guest Professor Dale Bremer. After Kansas State Ross spent f…

Andy Mallick's trajectory as a Rising Star of Turf has been a long one, entailing stops at four golf courses over 14 years before landing his first head superintendent position. Now in his fifth season as superintendent (and 11th overall) at Metedeconk National Golf Club (Jackson, NJ), Mallick had interim stops at Pine Valley Golf Club, Country Clu…

In this sensitive and revealing episode of Rockbottum Radio, the entire crew tells it all, aided by literary inspiration from Matt Jones and Peter McCormick... and Momma's Mushroom Truth Serum. Learn what really happened on Ludell's honeymoon and how Rockbottum plans to handle the ball rollback and Golf A.I. Buddy returns from working on Science In…

Frank sits down with Pamela Sherratt, Turfgrass Specialist in the Department of Horticulture and Crop Science at THE Ohio State Unniversity. She has a BSc (Honors) in Horticulture from The University of Central Lancashire in England and her MS in Turfgrass Science from The Ohio State University. In April Pam received the 2022-2023 CFAES Distinguish…

TurfNet’s latest All Star of Turf is Steve Ehrbar, CGCS at Panther National Golf Club, a private, single-owner facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. A graduate of the two-year program at Ohio State, Ehrbar has been a legendary fixture in South Florida for years. His career includes stops at Jupiter Hills Golf Club in Tequesta, Old Marsh Golf Clu…

Our first Rising Star of Turf for 2024 is Jeremiah Mincey, first assistant superintendent at Savannah Quarters Country Club in Pooler, Georgia. Many might recognize Jeremiah from his activity on TurfTwitter/X and as a recent recipient of a GCI/Aquatrols Super Social Media Award. Jeremiah, 26, graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BS in …

Our latest All Star of Turf is Patrick H. Sisk, CGCS, career superintendent, athlete, marathoner, inventor, entrepreneur and family man. Pat guides us through his path from a college transition to early adventures in Colorado and Arizona, then a career that took him from his native coastal Connecticut to 18 years in Milwaukee and recently back to w…

Frank sits down with frequent guest and Professor of Weed Science at the University of Tennessee, Jim Brosnan. Jim and Frank cover a wide range of topics that turfgrass managers must be aware of as we confront the lack of new herbicides, the pressure of increasing resistance in weeds, and finish up discussing the recent herbicide restrictions assoc…

Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with Marcie Mills of the executive search and consulting firm of Kopplin, Kuebler & Wallace about the evolving role of golf course superintendents, matching the right candidate with the proper opportunity and how the best customer experience first depends on delivering the best employee experience. Their discussion in…

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, learn RW's secret for living a calm and peaceful life on the golf course, regardless of the challenges we face in the years ahead. *Note: This is not your daddy's podcast. It's more like your grandpappy's radio show from 1937.بقلم TurfNet RADIO

Frank has a great conversation with old friend and repeat guest John Sorochan, Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science at the University of Tennessee. John has been involved with sports turf since his early days at Michigan State University. He was a key participant with the 1994 World Cup games held in the Pontiac Silverdome where the concept…

Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with Illinois-based golf course architect Michael Benkusky of Michael J. Benkusky Golf Course Architecture about his start in golf course design and why some consider it the best profession in the golf industry. Benkusky also discusses how his business is one of relationships and the importance of designing golf cours…