Frank had a chance to chat with Rhett Evans, the CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Rhett and Frank discuss the path to his current role and the challenges and rewards of running large organizations and municipalities. Specifically, Frank and Rhett get a chance to dive into the GCSAA organizational efforts with partners and membership and how he established his “voice” for the golf turf industry. Eventually, the discussion of high-performance athletic endeavors including multiple Ironman events and his recent ascension to the peak of Mount Everest. A rare glimpse behind the sciences with inimitable Rhett Evans.
Bradley S. Klein, Ph.D., talks with golf course architect Stephen Kay of Kay Golf Course Design about their friendship that dates almost 40 years, and how it intersects with the changing face of municipal golf in the United States. In this discussion, sponsored by Golf Preservations and CapillaryFlow, Key discusses how and why the majority of the design and renovation jobs have changed from mostly private to about 70 percent municipal projects. The discussion includes how many municipalities have changed the way they view their golf course properties, and how golfers who patronize them are more savvy about the game and course conditioning than in the past. Finally, the discussion addresses the importance of regular communication with superintendents and local officials during municipal design and renovation projects for numerous reasons, that include building a course that can accommodate beginners without alienating low-handicap players, as well as differences in how private and municipal properties are maintained. For example, areas around tees must be larger because they are subject to excess wear and because triplex mowers are used to maintain them. The area around greens must also be larger to give boom sprayers room to turn.
In this episode Frank visits with Professor Ming Yi Chou, Turfgrass Pathologist at Rutgers University, former sommelier, and expert microbial molecular biologist. He earned his B.Sc. from National Taiwan University, M.Sc. from the École Supérieure de Commerce de Dijon, and Ph.D. in Horticultural Biology from Cornell University, followed by postdoctoral work at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Michigan State University. His research explores plant–soil–microbiome interactions, develops disease-prediction models and diagnostic tools, and directs one of the nation’s largest turfgrass fungicide evaluation programs. Widely recognized for his contributions to science and extension, Dr. Chou received the 2024–2025 Merle V. Adams Award for outstanding achievement as an assistant extension faculty member.
In this episode of Rising Stars of Turf, Mark Lyon, the golf course superintendent of Teton Pines Resort and Country Club in Jackson Hole, WY, shares his unconventional journey into turfgrass management, which began at Michigan State University. After struggling with large class sizes, he found his passion through hands-on experiences in parks and recreation, leading to internships that solidified his love for the field. Mark emphasizes the importance of passion and networking in his career, recounting memorable wildlife encounters and the seasonal rhythms of golf course management. He balances his professional responsibilities with winter activities like skiing and family time, while also discussing innovative snow management techniques. Mark's story highlights the unique blend of nature and community in his work.
Life has intervened once again between Tag Team sessions as Dave has a second new bionic knee while Peter has emergency surgery and plunges into a sudden life-stage house move. Dave is excited about officiating at Moe Robinson and Paul Robertson's wedding in Toronto in September, while also mourning the recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne. Dave recounts his activities with turfRad, and they discuss the recent podcast interview between Moe Robinson and Cutler Robinson, noting that Cutler spent 37 years in turf management with his only positions being golf course superintendent. The discussion winds up with a conversation about surrounding yourself with smart people, and the question of pursuing a Masters degree in plant physiology, psychology or an MBA?
Frank dives deep into warm and cool season turfgrass disease management with Dr. Jim Kerns Professor and Extension Specialist of Turfgrass Pathology and Department Extension Leader in Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State University, where he also co-directs the Turfgrass Center for Environmental Research and Education. Frank and Jim discuss origins of Smith-Kerns model and then go underground for an intense discussion of Pythium root rot and the “patch” disease Take-All and Summer Patch. Jim addresses the new findings and discusses insights from molecular techniques that is enhancing control programs.
In this episode of the Renovation Report presented by Capillary Flow and Golf Preservations, Richard Mandell of Richard Mandell Golf Architecture, speaks with Brad Klein about his approach to golf course design as well as the specifics about some of his most recent restoration and original design projects. Mandell, whose experience has a linear connection to Donald Ross, talks about the elements (such as color, form, scale, shape, space and texture) and principles (balance, contrast, proportion, unity and variety) of golf course design and how each is applied to specific parts of the golf course. In this discussion, Mandell goes in depth about his restoration work at drainage-plagued courses in Minnesota and Florida and how his design helps each naturally move water off the property. Finally, he discusses his plans for a new heathland-style golf course in North Carolina that will include removing and replacing all bunkers on the course with grass hollows.
Frank catches up with Mike 0’Keeffe who serves as Program Manager for The Ohio Program (TOP), Ohio State University's renowned international turfgrass internship program, a position he has held since 1990. A graduate of Warrenstown College in Ireland, Mike originally participated in the program himself as an intern from 1986-1988 before joining the staff. Under his leadership, TOP has become a globally recognized program that places 120+ international interns annually on some of the world's finest golf courses, helping young turfgrass professionals gain invaluable hands-on experience in the United States. Frank and Mike chat about the programs background, Mike’s passion for psychology and the secret to Ohio programs success—the people!
In this episode of Rising Stars of Turf, the spotlight is on Moe Robinson, arguably one of the most recognizable personalities in golf turf management today. Originally from Ontario and now residing in British Columbia, Moe recently tied the knot with Paul Robertson, longtime golf course superintendent at Victoria Golf Club. They are planning a larger ceremony -- to be officiated by Dave Wilber -- in the fall in back in Ontario with family and friends. She reflects on her journey in a male-dominated industry, highlighting the support from her mentors and her transition to a customer support role with Dave Wilber at TurfRad. Despite initial hesitations, Moe has embraced technology in turf management and is excited about her future contributions to the field. Throughout her journey, she emphasizes the importance of kindness, donuts and enjoyment in life. Moving forward, Moe will be taking on an additional role as contract on-camera personality for TurfNet.
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank Rossi chats with Dr. John Sorochan of the University of Tennessee about various factors -- especially mechanical -- that affect putting green performance. HOC, frequency of clip, mowing/rolling frequency, bedknife position and attitude, topdressing,and more. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Dr. John Sorochan began working on the grounds crew at Earl Grey Golf and Country Club in 1988. This experience led him to Michigan State University where he earned his Ph.D. in Turfgrass Science in 2002. He is currently a Distinguished Professor of Turfgrass Science and Management in the Plant Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee (UT), where he also serves as the Co-Director for the UT Center for Athletic Field Safety.
Frank catches up with Gunnar Håkansson who serves as the General Secretary and CEO of the Swedish Golf Federation (SGF), the governing body for golf in Sweden that was founded in 1904 and currently oversees 500 golf clubs with over 500,000 individual members. He has been actively involved in leading the federation through a period of significant change and modernization, including efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility in Swedish golf. Håkansson has been prominent in making decisive leadership decisions for Swedish golf, including the federation's 2022 decision to sever ties with Henrik Stenson following his move to LIV Golf, citing concerns about role model standards for junior golfers. Frank and Gunnar catch up almost 20 years since Frank spent 6 months supporting the Swedish Golf Federation and the concept of “too much grass”.
In this episode of Wilber and McCormick, Dave and Peter discuss their experiences with life, health, and the turf industry while navigating personal challenges. Dave shares an update on his knee surgery recovery, highlighting the progress he's made and the pain he's managing. They also touch on the importance of socializing dogs, the value of training with e-collars, and the logistics of sensor deployment in turf management. The conversation shifts to cooking, particularly pizza-making, where they share techniques and personal anecdotes. The episode concludes with reflections on the turf industry and the role of technology in its advancement.
Frank chats with Chris Haspell, founder and president of Chris Haspell and Associates. Based in the UK, Chris specializes in golf course and sports turf consulting focused on end-to-end project management, construction and shaping services, grassing and grow-in expertise working with some of the biggest names in golf course architecture. Chris was involved in the 1990s with the Danish Golf Union and was one of the “Sons of Golf” in Denmark when pesticides were banned for use. Chris developed his construction skills on projects from Castle Stuart to Les Bourdes in France, he took some time out of his schedule to sit down and chat about his career and managing fescue golf courses.
In this episode of the Renovation Report presented by Capillary Flow and Golf Preservations, Justin Mandon, superintendent at Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, California, discusses a 2023-24 restoration of greens and bunkers focused on recapturing as closely as possible Alister Mackenzie's original intent when he designed the course on the north side of Monterey Bay in 1929. Mandon talks about the club's history from its opening and how it served as an inspiration for Bobby Jones to hire Mackenzie, who lived in a home on the 14th fairway, to design Augusta National Golf Club. The discussion includes digging down several inches on each green to find the original contours, how the project helped reclaim numerous pinnable locations that had been lost over time and restoring bunkers to their original design (and numbers) thanks to aerial photography.
Scott Bordner, director of agronomy at the Union League of Philadelphia, discusses the organization's roots as a patriotic entity founded to support President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, and its transformation to a three-course club.He also talks about the trajectory of his career that includes working as an assistant under Matt Shaffer at Merion Golf Club and a long tenure as superintendent at historic Chicago Golf Club.Finally, Bordner talks about his efforts to help solve golf turf's labor challenges by helping raise funds to offset the cost of college for potential turfgrass majors and organizing educational training events for those already working in golf.