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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.

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 transformed throughout its history as a favorite course of the USGA from its original design to a tree-lined course with narrow fairways to the rustic gem it is today after the restoration by the architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Finally, the discussion includes Pinehurst's role with the USGA, what is next for the property and its role with Sandhills Community College in helping groom the next generation of golf course superintendents.

Frank Speaks at length with Professor William (Billy) Crow from the University of Florida about all things nematodes. How they work as a species? Where we find them? How to sample them? How do you know if you have a nematode problem? And what are the long-term effects of nematicide use? Billy speaks Frankly about nematicide use in warm season turf and the challenges we face as an industry with managing plant parasitic nematodes and sustaining the many beneficial nematodes and arthropods vital to the soil food web. Billy’s efforts to improve sampling and diagnosis of plant parasitic nematodes has made the UF Nematode Lab an important resource for the turfgrass industry.

In this episode of Renovation Report, Brad Klein talks with golf course architect Nathan Crace of Watermark Golf in Magee, Mississippi, about how his diverse experience in the golf business has helped shape his career. A native of Indiana and a graduate of Mississippi State University, Crace talks about his background that includes working construction for his father, club management and working with college golf teams across Mississippi have influenced his work as an architect and how he considers economics and sustainability when designing and renovating some of the top layouts around the Southeast.

Tyler Bloom, former golf course superintendent and current workforce development, recruiting and training specialist and entrepreneur, offers his insight into how the golf course industry, chapters, clubs and superintendents can best navigate the current shortage of assistant superintendent candidates.

For more than 15 years, Mark Hoban has built a career of promoting a sustainable and minimalist approach of managing golf course turf at Rivermont Golf Club in Johns Creek, Georgia. At age 67, he insists he is only getting started. Hoban, who prepped under Palmer Maples at the nearby Standard Club, uses biologicals, homemade compost tea and other organic nutrients to promote healthy turf and soils that require very little fungicides and are naturally resistant to disease pressure.  Through the use of several species of native grasses he has eliminated 30 acres of irrigated turf. Those native areas attract wildlife and he manages bees with the recent addition of an on-site apiary. Hoban first became interested in sustainability while working for Maples and has further developed his practices largely through research conducted in the agricultural industry. Hoban's work was brought into the public eye in 2014 through Randy Wilson's video series "Chasing Rivermont" that appeared on TurfNetTV. His work has since won acclaim at the state and national level, and Hoban says none of what he has accomplished would have been possible without the support of Rivermont owner Chris Cupit.

Frank Rossi speaks with Professor Jim Brosnan of the University of Tennessee on the rising concerns of herbicide resistant annual bluegrass and the national project attempting to understand this elusive plant. Frank and Jim revive Resistance Radio and go deep on the nature of herbicide resistance and the multiple strategies plants develop to elude routine herbicide applications. Jim wonders why weed control is not approached like diseases and insects managed in turf. The conversation expands to include other difficult-to-control weeds such as goosegrass, nutsedge and crabgrass. This is one of those episodes we will listen to in 10 years and wonder why we didn’t pay attention this critical issue sooner. As Jim so aptly quotes a leading researcher, “the answer to herbicide resistance is not going to come from a jug”.

Jess Atmore, golf course superintendent at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club in Cobble Hill, British Columbia, grew up on a golf course but took a non-traditional route to becoming a superintendent. With a recent need to fill an assistant position, he took another non-traditional route to hiring one. In another departure from the norm, he also manages his staff like a hockey team.

Tyler Guy, golf course superintendent at Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club near Chattanooga, TN, joins Peter McCormick to add his take on "Work/Life Balance" to the ongoing "Assistant Situation" conversation.  After speaking in generalities for about half an hour, Tyler went on a tear so we cut right to that.

Jaime Matthews spent 13 years as an assistant superintendent before burnout and family responsibilities dictated a change. He has been with Bartlett Tree Experts for two years now and loves the change... but still keeps his eye on the turf industry. "We use a lot of the same products but I now look up instead of down at the turf."

The Assistant Situation conversation continues with "three old bald guys", Kevin Ross, Rick Tegtmeier and (almost bald) Peter McCormick. Both career superintendents and industry veterans, Kevin and Rick discuss points made in previous roundtables and add their own from their experience climbing the career ladder and managing staffs and budgets.

Big welcome to our newest sponsor, Frost Inc. Spray Technology Products!. Each year the University of Wisconsin-Madison Turfgrass Pathology Program and the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab evaluate over 100 snow mold control products at multiple locations throughout the Northern Great Lakes Region. The man behind that research is Kurt Hockemeyer, the Director of the Diagnostic Lab. He sat down with Frank for a conversation about predicting, controlling and recovering from the variety of snow molds that afflict golf turf systems. You’ll be surprised to hear his take on not treating at all, use of pigments, and asks, “do we really need three active ingredients?”

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 transformed throughout its history as a favorite course of the USGA from its original design to a tree-lined course with narrow fairways to the rustic gem it is today after the restoration by the architectural team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw. Finally, the discussion includes Pinehurst's role with the USGA, what is next for the property and its role with Sandhills Community College in helping groom the next generation of golf course superintendents.

Peter McCormick goes 1:1 with Jordan Kitchen, golf course superintendent at Hamilton Golf & Country Club in Ancaster, Ontario.

The second in a series of roundtable discussions on "the Assistant Situation": a dearth of applicants for open assistant superintendent positions, a lack of upward mobility for existing assistants, and a life/work/compensation imbalance within the industry.

In this episode of Renovation Report, Brad Klein talks with Larry Hirsh of Golf Property Analysts of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, about the current economics of the golf business. Hirsh, who entered the business of golf course real estate to fill a void, discusses the golf course as a real estate investment, club politics and how every club can benefit from analyzing its current position from facility, cultural, economic and market perspectives. Presented by Golf Preservations, The Andersons, and Capillary Bunkers.

In response to a furor of sorts on Twitter after comments made by Steve Cook, CGCS MG, of Medinah Country Club, were posted, we decided to host a series of roundtable discussions to dig further into the topic. This is the full version of the discussion.

In response to a furor of sorts on Twitter after comments made by Steve Cook, CGCS MG, of Medinah Country Club, were posted, we decided to host a series of roundtable discussions to dig further into the topic. This is the condensed version of the discussion.  

Frank speaks with long-time colleague and professor at the UW-Madison, Doug Soldat. Doug and Frank have a 15-year history of chatting about all sorts of plant and soil science topics from early days at Cornell, GCSAA Seminars, regional webinars, aas well as previous episodes of this fine podcast. Doug and Frank take up some “organic matters” of the soil concerning nutrient and water management, and the soon-to-be-released USGA standards for organic matter testing. Lively conversation ensues discussing “chasing fake numbers”, establishing meaningful comparisons to expected water use rates, and why managing growth and organic matter will directly improve playability. Consider this another installment of “what Doug and Frank think this year”.

To say Nate McKinniss is on the career fast track would be an understatement of almost immeasurable proportions. McKinniss, 27, is the golf course superintendent at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, where Job 1 is keeping the course what he called “Golden Bear ready.” That's a nod to Jack Nicklaus, who designed the course, has a home there and is the host of its biggest event, the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament. McKinniss has worked at the club in suburban Columbus since he graduated from The Ohio State University's four-year turfgrass management program in 2017. He was promoted into the position of golf course superintendent by Muirfield director of grounds Chad Mark late in 2020. “I started in 2017 here as an intern, and you talk about how fast things get moving, and usually how it’s been taking a longer amount of time for people, it goes to show that the program that you Chad has getting people on the fast track to that next step, and the people that were in that position before me, four people within four years, have gone on to become superintendents, I think that says a lot about Chad and the program that’s here developing guys,” McKinniss said. McKinniss accepted a job offer from Mark in 2017 when the latter was superintendent at Inverness Club in Toledo. Between the time the offer was made and graduation day in Columbus, Mark moved on to his dream job, managing Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield. As a student at Ohio State, McKinniss once voiced a career goal of buying a popular daily fee course in his hometown of Findlay, Ohio. Since graduation, his focus has shifted to preparing for one of the PGA Tour’s premier events and making sure the course is ready every day for its most famous member. “It’s all about being Golden Bear ready.”

Steve Cook has had a career laced with high profile tournaments, including two U.S. Amateurs, a Ryder Cup, and a PGA Championship while at Oakland Hills, and a BMW Championship in 2019 at Medinah Country Club. Yet to him, a career should be more about contribution than achievement. He has mentored and graduated many assistants onto their own successful superintendent careers, and takes great pride and satisfaction in the ongoing relationships with them. His primary criterion for hiring an assistant is character. "I owe it to the rest of the team to not bring in someone who isn't a good fit," Cook said. "I look for good people. The other stuff they can learn." Cook has a knack for boiling the seemingly complex down to the simple, whether it's writing a blog or orchestrating a management plan. "What we do as superintendents really isn't that complicated," he said. "I think we tend to overcomplicate it at times." Why are there so many open positions for assistants? "Because of the self-inflicted damage we've done to ourselves as an industry over the past two or three decades," according to Cook. This is a fascinating conversation with one who gets it. Gets the job and life away from it. Who else do you know who had climbed a 22,000 ft mountain in Nepal? Listen and learn.

Mike Lecavalier has been the golf course superintendent at the Kanawaki Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec for 17 years. For 13 of those years, and quite a few prior, he had a serious alcohol problem. Almost four years ago he looked himself in the mirror and admitted to himself that he needed help, and turned to friends, then AA, and ultimately the gym and a personal trainer. Here is his story.

Peter McCormick visits with Paul B. Hurst, husband of Kristi, father of Nicholas, Madison and Molli, dogfather of Lyla, man of many hats, guitar-playing half of MidLife acoustic duo, instructor in the multi-part So, You Want to Be a Sales Guy video series, honoree of a 2021 TurfNet Jerry Coldiron Positivity Award, and arguably the Most Interesting Man in Turf. They chat about a recent Tweet of Paul's and how the social media success of his and Kristi's singing and "nitwittery" on Twitter over the past two years have meant to them, and his business. Check it out.

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 financial difficulty for some time, Metacomet was purchased for development by Marshall Properties in 2020, with a desire to retain and redesign a portion of the golf course. Robert McNeil ASGCA and the Northeast Golf Company were brought in to spearhead the renovation, and Jamrog was called back to manage the transition. More on that here. In this conversation with Anthony Pioppi, Jamrog reflects on coming back to a very different property from when he left and was away for eight years. He also credits his time in sales with creating within him a greater awareness of the universe of turf care products available to the superitendent today.

In this episode Frank speaks with Cornell University alumnus, former president of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and current president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, Jason Straka. After a quick wander through his formative years Jason and Frank take up practical course construction issues, working with golf course superintendents, affordable golf, and the minefield that can be mass media. Jason speaks candidly about what is fair criticism of golf but also where we are excelling environmentally. Ending with an interesting conversation about access and addressing the length of courses by changing the golf ball. If you are a golf geek, you will love this chat.

Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with Stephen Miles of The Preserve Golf Club, which is part of the Palace Casino Resort complex in Vancleave, Mississippi. Miles discusses the current state of the resort golf business on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the success of a recent bunker renovation project.

Anthony Pioppi chats with John McDonald II, vice president of McDonald & Sons Golf Course Builders of Jessup, MD, and newly elected president of the Golf Course Builders Association of America. The conversation runs the gamut between current health of the build/renovation side of the golf course business, the bid or handshake process of procuring renovation work, and the new tools and technology that have impacted golf course builders... some of which might surprise you!

Frank speaks with Dr. Larry Stowell in this episode about his career path as the son of a California Dept of Agriculture professional, through having to get kicked out of the University of Arizona “'cause I loved it so much” and competing for a job his partner Dr. Wendy Gelernter was recruited for! This pioneer in data-driven management is always asking questions and seeking the best science to help golf course superintendents be more efficient and effective in achieving their performance goals. What could be a better aspiration! A lovely chat worthy of a good listen.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank catches up with Penn State University Professor John Kaminski in between John’s presentations to golf course superintendents. In his usual candor, John walks us through his early years, wanting to crush everyone’s turf program, and the nature of “we are”. Some technical topics arise during the conversation regarding thatch collapse and a new Pythium species being researched in John’s lab. There is even talk of the new Diagnostic Lab John is launching. Not too bad for a Penn State Guy! Presented by DryJect and Plant Food Company.

Anthony Pioppi chats with Doug Larson, golf course superintendent at The Shore Club in Cape May Court House, New Jersey, about his 35+ year career from superintendent to sales and back to superintendent, and the ongoing renovation work spearheaded by Tyler Rae, golf course architect. Larson describes the bunker work as "economical but with a big impact". Listen in to find out how they're doing it. Presented by Golf Preservations, The Andersons and Capillary Bunkers.

This is Rockbottum Radio, "What They Don't Want You To Know in '22". In this New Year's Day episode, we offer a couple of Skeletal Golf Predictions for 2022, some in-depth analysis, a few strategies to deal with what's coming and... Cletus uncovers the most dangerous thing golf has faced in decades. In Storytime, RW confesses the worst thing he ever did on a golf course, mostly because everybody involved has passed on, or can't remember, or maybe the Statue of Lamentations has run out. Once again presented by DryJect, the most brilliant method for greens management ever invented.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with longtime friend and turfgrass researcher, consultant, and all-around great guy Mark Mahady. Mark has spent almost 40 years in the turfgrass industry, from some humble golf maintenance shop floor-waxing skills to one of the most sought-after turfgrass consultants/researchers in the Western US. Mark and Frank speak on a wide range of topics from turfgrass management in the late 1970’s in California, through the 1980’s and the Chemlawn research group. Much of the chat turns to annual bluegrass management and how far we have come as an industry out west. Mark and Frank end up by paying homage to the many innovative superintendents who have contributed to improving annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass management in CA.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with two young leaders in the golf turf industry: Leasha Schwab, the golf course superintendent of Pheasant Run Golf Club in Sharon, Ontario, and Christopher Reverie, golf course superintendent at Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Allentown, PA. These young leaders have distinguished themselves in unique ways. Individually they are making a difference in the lives of both aspiring and existing golf course professionals. It’s not always easy, and it usually means working more than the next person, but it seems leading is in their DNA.

Spend the morning with Rockbottum as we endure a visit from the Empire and a couple of VIPs, we touch on the latest news for superintendents, try a couple of product evaluations (The Heavy Blanket) and we reveal the axioms that provide the foundation of Rockbottum Philosophy. In Storytime, there are two stories and several lessons:  We expose the current golfer complaint and how to fix it, along with Cruella and The Christmas Day After. Presented by DryJect.

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 four years as a Research Scholar at Purdue University where he studied the family of fine fescues. Ross does a lot of teaching and is also the author of Decode 6, a blog of the Crop Science Society of America on the role of carbon in agriculture.

In this episode of Renovation Report sponsored by Capillary Bunkers, The Andersons and Golf Preservations, Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with Matt Pringle, Ph.D., managing director of the USGA Green Section, about the history and role of the Green Section. In his second year heading the century-old Green Section, Pringle discusses the changing role of the Section in the face of changing technology and economic challenges, including new options that Pringle described as "data-driven decision-support tools". Klein and Pringle also discuss the Green Section's plans and subsequent pullback on the USGA's job-search initiative.  

In this episode of The TurfNet Renovation Report, host Anthony Pioppi chats with Peter Brooks, CGCS, superintendent at the Everglades Club in Palm Beach, Florida since 1987, about the ABCs of fairway regrassing in South Florida.

This episode of Frankly Speaking returns to the Western US with Dr. Gwen Stahkne of Walla Walla Community College, WA and long-time Washington State Turfgrass Extension Specialist, and Brianne Kenny, an Environmental Scientist at Troon Golf, based in Arizona. Gwen has a long career that began in the Midwest working with some legends in turfgrass science, Drs. Beard, Turgeon and Shearman. Well trained and outspoken, Gwen established and maintained educational resources for the PNW for the last 40 years. We got a chance to explore those years. Bri Kenny started waiting tables at a Troon property during her MS program in Environmental Science. She was able to tour the course during onboarding and knew that was the place for her. Nothing quite like hearing the hope and promise of a new generation of scientists and turf professionals. Bri sees golf in a broader context that we could all learn from.

Golf in the desert and in the mountains offer unique experiences in dramatically visual arid environments. This episode of Frankly Speaking focuses on these unique management systems with experts in agronomy and pest management. Brian Whitlark, USGA Green Section Senior Agronomist in the Southwest and Adam VanDyke, owner and lead scientist at Professional Turf Solutions based in Utah. Brian and Frank speak frankly about managing desert golf courses in some of the last remaining areas in the US that winter overseed. Overseeding strategies, surface preparation, the Ryegrass Management System and of course water are big topics. Adam and Frank turn to pests and stress in the mountains. Lots of persistent challenges, emerging pests and managing turf in the mountains when abnormal becomes the new normal with warmer temperatures and less snow. As usual Frank is able to cover a lot of ground in a short time!

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, RW finally reveals all of his Skeletal Golf secrets for great greens (Bent or UD) along with the backstory explaining why they were kept secret. The Mad Golf Prophet offers up his Last Prediction ever and confesses how he knew this supply line dislocation was coming. Finally, a Halloween tale for Storytime that is too spooky, even for Rockbottum.

Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with golf course architect Kevin Norby about the perceived glamour vs. the reality of designing golf courses throughout the country and around the world. They also discuss some of Kevin's past work and ongoing projects and the role of the architect in making golf courses easier for the superintendent to maintain, especially in times of increased labor and budget challenges.

This expansive Frankly Speaking episode is filled with Science, Economics, and Formula 1. Frank begins with Professor Michelle DaCosta from the University of Massachusetts on her career and winter injury research. You’ll be surprised to learn what a new USDA multi-million-dollar research program will be studying in the next few years. Frank then turns to long time contributor Jim Koppenhaver, from Pellucid Golf, answering the question, “are we holding onto gains in golf realized in 2020, during 2021?” But the better topic is Jim’s advice for how to put that money back into the most important resource, the golf course. The show wraps up with a “catch-up” chat with Chris Tritabaugh. Frank and Chris discuss the season in review, what makes a good irrigation system, Formula 1, and taking good care of yourself during some challenging times.

Some Love for Labor! Frank speaks unusually Frankly with Tyler Bloom, a former golf course superintendent currently specializing in workforce development. A far-reaching conversation about the woes, wins and opportunities that lie ahead for the labor needs in the golf and sports turf industries. Aligning labor and business goals in a golf course operation requires some progressive thinking. Tyler provides some useful tips. Frank ends the episode checking in with the official SE Diagnostician of the Frankly Speaking Podcast, Lee Butler at NC State University. Frank-Lee speaking about above and below ground issues from the growing season and how to prep for next year’s disease pressure now!

In this episode, Frank Speaks with Pete Cookingham, recently retired director of the Turfgrass Information File based at Michigan State University. Pete reviews the history of the database and the unique nature of managing a topic specific database, like turfgrass science. His lifetime commitment is celebrated every time we use the information and he continually receives donations of information by the pallet! Frank also chats with Dr. Casey Reynolds, Executive Director of Turfgrass Producers Inc (TPI) about the soon to be voted on Sod Checkoff program. Casey outlines the research and marketing program currently underway with TPI and the startling amount of money that this program could generate. $14 million!

In this episode of Renovation Report, sponsored by The Andersons, Capillary Bunkers and Golf Preservations, Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., sits down with golf course architect and restoration specialist Andrew Green about his reputation for taking historic golf courses back in time after years of change. Green, who says his goal is as simple as doing good work with good people, talks specifically about projects such as Scioto Country Club and Inverness Club, site of this year's Solheim Cup matches.

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 Club of Darien and Southward Ho Golf Club on Long Island, picking up valuable experience at each one. Mallick credits his girlfriend, Rachel, with grounding his peripatetic instincts and helping him settle down and find a home at Metedeconk. He looks forward to hosting another Korn Ferry Tour event this year and welcoming another Springer Spaniel puppy to their family this week.

In this episode, RW and the gang deliver an emergency warning about an Army Worm invasion, reveal our progress in golf course robot evaluations, discuss the big change coming in golf and explain why those folks at The Masters need a wall. In "Storytime" we tell about our favorite time on the golf course. Presented by DryJect.

In this episode, Frank Speaks with Dr. Leah Brilman about the breeding and development of creeping bentgrass, mixtures and blends, and the current state of the turfgrass seed industry from the recent weather patterns to long term supplies. “We'd better get used to paying more for seed”. Frank then speaks with Emily Braithwaite from Oregon State University about the impact of the heat in the PNW and how “bentgrass is taking over the research farm”. Frank wraps up the episode with the Mindful Superintendent, Paul MacCormack, discussing how to take care of yourself when short-staffed, and maintaining a healthy relationship with making mistakes.

Inness, a King-Collins design-build project condensing the old Rondout Golf Club from 18 to 9 new holes, opened in June with Anthony Minniti at the helm. It wasn't easy. Minniti came over from The Creek and Shinnecock Hills to grow in and polish the new resort course Accord, NY, in the upper Hudson Valley between the Catskill and Shawangunk Mountains. Weather, short staffing and lots of clay and rock stood in the way. Anthony Pioppi chats with Minniti about the challenges and the accomplishments at Inness.