TurfNet Podcasts

Frank catches up with the Eric Aston, vice president of technology at Firefly Automatix based in Salt Lake City. Frank explores Eric's long interest in automation since his days at University of Utah Engineering. Development of the automated sod harvester and the early concepts and thinking behind the AMP 100” automated fairway mower. Eric and Frank cover a lot of ground concerning sensing, productivity, and adoption of this transformative technology. How the mower was initially thought to be a better fit for sports fields and sod farms, until golf got their hands on it. Now it's all golf all the time, just keeping up with demand. This is a great success story of a company driven by innovation.

John Sorochan, Ph.D., distinguished professor of plant sciences at the University of Tennessee, discusses his eight-year collaboration with FIFA to prepare playing surfaces for the 2026 World Cup across North America. The conversation covers how Sorochan established his relationship with FIFA through Alan Ferguson, the challenges of managing 16 different stadiums across varied climates from Mexico City to Seattle to New York and Boston, and the innovative research being conducted. Key topics include converting synthetic turf stadiums to natural grass using hybrid reinforcement technology, growing sod on plastic for better transplant success, and ensuring uniform playing conditions across venues using different grass types - Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass for cooler climates, and hybrid Bermudagrass for warmer regions. Sorochan also describes the FIFA-funded research facility at the University of Tennessee that simulates dome stadium conditions and the development of the flex testing device to measure field uniformity. The interview highlights the scientific approach FIFA is taking to field management and the growth of the turfgrass research program at the University of Tennessee from humble beginnings to a world-class operation.

As we continue to de-evolve into a race of computer-assisted meat bags, cheating our minds by not reading and writing, a new force much worse than AGI looms over the glitchy horizon: The Quantum computer chip. Cheating, the result of a lazy mind, is rampant, and it has been going on for decades. What's different now is the ease of which we can deny the cheating, even when it is so blatant that it requires face-to-lens lying on a massive scale. But, it's not too late to turn this around. We can take a hard look at the cheating, especially in our everyday activities, sports and work and entertainment. All we have to do is reboot our brains by reading a a few books. I've even included a suggestion.

Frank chats with Adam Moeller, President of Moeller Consulting and Director of North America Turfgrass. Adam traces a practical path through golf course management, starting with his Wisconsin roots—where short seasons and demanding conditions shape a no-nonsense, performance-driven mindset. That foundation carries into his time with the USGA, where exposure to broader datasets and standardized evaluation methods sharpened his ability to connect research with real-world decision-making and ask better, more relevant questions. Now working in agronomic consulting, product testing, safety, and new construction specifications, Adam operates at the intersection of science and application. A central theme is the value of independent, evidence-based evaluation in an industry often influenced by marketing claims. The conversation highlights how aligning products and practices with site-specific conditions—not trends—drives better outcomes, as expectations around playability, sustainability, and operational efficiency continue to converge.

This TurfNet Renovation Report episode features host Anthony Pioppi interviewing Dennis Hurley about his career and the evolution of golf course drainage. Hurley recounts his journey from a Kentucky upbringing and golf scholarship at Louisiana State University into insurance, chemical distribution, and ultimately founding his drainage company in 1985. A key turning point was his adaptation of a construction material into what became the “waffle drain” (marketed as Turf Drain), which he helped popularize nationwide despite early business setbacks and industry skepticism. Hurley also discusses broader trends shaping modern golf course management. There is increasing pressure from owners, players and revenue demands to keep courses open and playable even after heavy rain, unlike in past decades when closures were more accepted. This has driven demand for more advanced and intensive drainage systems, though tensions sometimes arise with architects who prioritize aesthetics over functionality. Hurley concludes that while perfect drainage is impossible, the goal today is to minimize downtime and maintain consistent playing conditions in an industry with far less tolerance for weather-related interruptions.

Frank catches up with Richard Hayden to discuss all things designing, constructing, establishing and managing sports turf around the world. Highlighted recently by his work with the Wrexham AFC and Ryan Reynolds. Beyond that we cover his time at STRI, hybrid grass construction, sports turf in Ukraine, Horse Track Fraise Mowing, FIFA guidelines, etc. Richard is one of the most recognized sports pitch consultants in the world. In 2024, Richard completed his 700th sports infrastructure project across 58 countries, with experience spanning FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO stadium pitches. Uniquely qualified in both agronomy and civil engineering, he combines over two decades of practical operations management with global design and consultancy expertise. He also authored the natural turf section of the FIFA Stadium Handbook and is known for innovations such as the soil-based gravel raft natural grass showjumping surface, while remaining equally engaged with community and soil-based pitch projects.

Paul Carter, CGCS has been a very busy man. He is superintendent at the Bear Trace at Harrison Bay near Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Director of Agronomy for the nine-course Tennessee Golf Trail, and recently began his one-year term as president of the GCSAA in its centennial year. In this inaugural episode of Beyond the Green, sponsored by Molasses Kings, Carter talks about his role and responsibilities as president of the association, how — and why — he became involved in representing his colleagues in Tennessee and nationwide, and who is to "blame" for that decision. Finally, Carter talks about the challenges of managing agronomics for nine courses throughout Tennessee, and how unseasonably cold and icy conditions during winter might affect green up of Bermudagrass stands throughout the trail.

This interview features twin brothers John and Jim Colo, both golf course superintendents in Florida, discussing their parallel careers in turf management. John works at Frenchman's Reserve in Palm Beach Gardens while Jim is at Naples National Golf Club. Both started their careers in their native Ohio before attending Rutgers for turf education and completing internships at Castle Pines. They share insights about their mentors Steve Ehrbar and Jim Loke, and discuss the challenges of managing golf courses in South Florida's climate. The conversation covers labor recruitment and retention strategies, with both emphasizing the importance of treating crew members well through competitive wages, benefits, and hands-on leadership. They maintain daily communication about work challenges and solutions, supporting each other's professional growth. The interview also touches on how the golf industry has evolved over their 30-plus year careers, from early financial struggles to current leadership roles managing multi-million dollar operations.

In this TurfNet Renovation Report, Anthony Pioppi interviews Donnie Beck, superintendent at Fishers Island Club, about their major irrigation system renovation. Beck, the fifth superintendent in the course's 100-year history, discusses the unique challenges of maintaining a links-style golf course located seven miles off the Connecticut coast but belonging to New York. The course faces increasing saltwater flooding, now occurring 6-7 times per year compared to once or twice when Beck started in 1994. The new Rain Bird irrigation system, designed by Paul Roche and installed by Tanto, replaced a partial system from the 1990s and includes innovative long-range rotors that throw 115 feet to cover the massive Seth Raynor greens averaging 10,000-11,000 square feet. The project required complex logistics, with 15-16 crew members commuting daily by ferry from Connecticut and staging materials months in advance. The system focuses on greens, tees, and select fairways used primarily for salt leaching rather than turf irrigation, maintaining the course's traditional firm and fast playing conditions.

Frank speaks with Marco Schiavon, assistant professor at UF's Fort Lauderdale Research Center, discusses water conservation in turfgrass. Trained in Italy, New Mexico, and California, Schiavon now researches recycled wastewater irrigation in South Florida, finding that turf intercepts most nutrients but over-irrigation causes leaching — making water management more important than fertilizer blackout periods. He's also exploring turfgrass soil microbiome, where the field lags decades behind agriculture. On grasses, Schiavon calls Tiftuf Bermuda a gold standard for water conservation and says St. Augustine water needs are overestimated. His top advice: Fix irrigation system efficiency first, then layer on wetting agents and PGRs.

In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, host Bradley Klein sits down with veteran golf course architect Andy Staples. Their discussion focuses on the changes of contemporary golf course design to focus on playability, ease of maintenance and long-term sustainability in the face of shifts in pesticide and fertilizer use and the rising costs of and access to water. The discussion also includes a look into the relationship between architects and superintendents, escalating renovation budgets, advances in drainage and bunker technology, and the influence of social media and modern golf media on member awareness. Finally, Staples discusses his involvement with the American Society of Golf Course Architects and his passion for education, collaboration and sharing real-world problem-solving with peers.

In this special season 13 premiere episode of Frankly Speaking, the tables are turned as Paul MacCormack, the mindful superintendent and general manager of Fox Meadow Golf Club, interviews longtime host Frank Rossi. The conversation explores Frank's journey in the turfgrass industry, from his early curiosity-driven nature to his career in academia and research. They discuss the evolution of science in turfgrass management, the importance of unlearning harmful work habits like the grind mentality, and Frank's personal experiences with vulnerability and life challenges. The discussion touches on Frank's recent transition to becoming a grandfather and how it's shifted his perspective on work and life balance. They also explore broader industry changes, including automation's impact on the workforce and the changing expectations of younger professionals entering the field. Throughout the interview, Frank shares candidly about his approach to maintaining curiosity, his philosophy on vulnerability, and his gratitude for the relationships built through his podcast and career in the turfgrass community.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, host Frank Rossi interviews Professor Scott McElroy from Auburn University about the evolution and future of robotic mowing in turf management. McElroy shares his journey from theater and communication studies to becoming a respected weed scientist and turf management expert. The conversation explores his early skepticism about robotic mowers when he first encountered them in Italy in 2016, working with the University of Pisa group, to becoming a leading advocate for autonomous mowing technology. McElroy discusses the different categories of automated mowers, from fully autonomous small units to semi-autonomous large systems like Firefly technology. He provides practical insights on deployment strategies, emphasizing that slopes and hills offer the quickest return on investment, sometimes paying for themselves in just seven to eight weeks. The discussion covers technical aspects including network coverage requirements, setup challenges, and the importance of proper expectations when implementing robotic systems. McElroy also addresses how increased mowing frequency from autonomous systems improves turf quality and density while potentially changing fertilization and maintenance practices. The conversation concludes with predictions about industry adoption, suggesting 2027 as a potential tipping point for widespread robotic mower implementation, and the shift from mechanical to electrical engineering skills needed in turf management.

Frank Rossi interviews David Pierce, president of Stellar Golf Advisors and former USGA research director, about his groundbreaking research on golf course playability and golfer experience. Pierce shares his unique journey from chemical engineering at Dow Chemical to golf research, explaining how his engineering background translated perfectly to systematic golf research methodologies. The conversation centers on Pierce's development of a playability index system that categorizes golf courses from introductory to formidable based on obstacles rather than just distance, stripping out length considerations to focus on hazards, bunkers, and course forgiveness factors. Pierce reveals concerning data showing that roughly half of male golfers and three-quarters of female golfers regularly play courses too long for their skill level, despite knowing they're doing so. He discusses the psychology behind tee selection, the importance of appropriate challenge versus frustration, and how forced carries particularly impact golfer retention. The discussion covers practical applications for superintendents and PGA professionals, including hole location strategies, the benefits of firm playing conditions, and the critical relationship between course setup and golfer satisfaction. Pierce emphasizes that while golf gained a million net golfers during COVID, five million still left the game, highlighting the ongoing need to improve the golf experience to retain players long-term.

This interview features twin brothers John and Jim Colo, both golf course superintendents in Florida, discussing their parallel careers in turf management. John works at Frenchman's Reserve in Palm Beach Gardens while Jim is at Naples National Golf Club. Both started their careers in their native Ohio before attending Rutgers for turf education and completing internships at Castle Pines. They share insights about their mentors Steve Ehrbar and Jim Loke, and discuss the challenges of managing golf courses in South Florida's climate. The conversation covers labor recruitment and retention strategies, with both emphasizing the importance of treating crew members well through competitive wages, benefits, and hands-on leadership. They maintain daily communication about work challenges and solutions, supporting each other's professional growth. The interview also touches on how the golf industry has evolved over their 30-plus year careers, from early financial struggles to current leadership roles managing multi-million dollar operations.

In this episode of Rising Stars of Turf, Tony Springmann shares his unique journey from Notre Dame football player to superintendent at Wicker Point Golf Club in Alabama. Springmann discusses how he discovered golf late in college after his football career ended and worked his way up through courses like Trinity Forest, Oakland Hills, and others. He explains the challenges of managing a new Coore and Crenshaw-designed course that opened in 2023, including extensive drainage work in Alabama's red clay and maintaining wall-to-wall Zeon zoysia with firm playing conditions. Springman emphasizes his management philosophy of cross-training all staff members, his passion for golf history and architecture, and how his Notre Dame education taught him to think critically. He also discusses the importance of mentorship, team building, and maintaining high standards while creating a supportive work environment for his assistants.

Frank Rossi interviews Ken Rost, founder and CEO of Frost Spray Technologies, about the evolution and adoption of GPS guided precision spraying systems in golf course and turf management. They discuss the barriers to technology adoption, including early reliability issues with GPS systems and the advantages of the Novotel satellite system that Frost uses. Ken explains how their partnership with Greenkeeper App has simplified map creation and enabled superintendents to have better control over their spray applications. The conversation covers variable rate applications, productivity improvements, and the emerging role of drone spraying technology for hard-to-reach areas like native grass zones. Ken shares insights from recent research presentations with Wendell Hutchens and Dave McCall on spring dead spot mapping, demonstrating 80-85% reductions in chemical use through targeted applications. The discussion also touches on licensing requirements for drone applications and the potential for automation in spray technology, with Ken teasing new developments to be unveiled at GIS in Orlando.

Dave and Peter are back in the saddle after a three-month hiatus, mostly due to Peter's life-stage paring down, rehoming and restructuring of his life. The lesson there is, just like doing major surgery to a golf green, to do it when you're healthy and can do it. All this leads to Peter's announcement of his pending retirement at the end of January. Dave and Peter reflect on the myriad ways that TurfNet has changed the industry over the past 32 years, from community building to jobs, used equipment, education... and touch on some of the "agents of change" who have been a part of it for a long time.

In this episode of the Rising Stars of Turf, sponsored by Earthworks and DryJect, Jorge Mendoza of Green River Golf Club in Corona, California, talks about his lofty career aspirations and his efforts to give back to the profession. A second-generation greenkeeper, Mendoza discusses the need to market himself and his accomplishments as he strives to achieve an industry leadership role beyond Green River. He also talks about what he to promote the game to area youth and introducing turf maintenance as a potential career path. With the golf course straddling three Southern California counties, Mendoza talks about the difficulty and challenges that can come with working with government agencies from three counties on a single project and how the needs and requirements of each might be in conflict with the others.

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, RW and gang discuss the best time of year on the golf course and share a couple of tips from the Rockbottum Country Club vault that could help modern golf course superintendents survive an increasingly sensitive golf environment. Stick around for Ludell's announcement of the new online degree program from Rockbottum Country Club.

This episode features Dr. Wendell Hutchens, assistant professor of turfgrass science at the University of Arkansas, discussing his research on turfgrass disease management, particularly spring dead spot control. The conversation covers his educational background at NC State and Virginia Tech, where he worked on fungicide fate and movement in soil profiles. Dr. Hutchens explains that effective spring dead spot management requires immediate watering-in of fungicides within 30 minutes of application to move products into the root zone where pathogens are active. He details how GPS-guided sprayers combined with drone mapping can reduce fungicide usage by 40-65% while maintaining control efficacy by targeting only affected areas. The discussion also explores cultural management practices like thatch reduction, nutrition management with manganese and nitrogen sources, and the economic impact of the disease on golf courses. Additionally, they examine the USGA's GS3 ball technology for measuring putting green quality, including smoothness and trueness metrics, and how surface disruptions from aerification and foot traffic affect ball roll for extended periods.

Frank catches up with F. Dan Dinelli, recent inductee to the the Illinois Golf Hall of Fame and third generation golf course superintendent at North Shore Country Club in Chicagoland. Dan and Frank catch up on the putting surfaces that were renovated in 2017 to a creeping bentgrass blend and an innovative root zone mix with 33 ingredients! Dan and Frank review the complex nature or plant and microbe interactions that have led to a better understanding of root zone dynamics in sand based root zones. Hold your breath as this one is a deep dive. Big congrats to Dan on being a HOFer.

In this episode of the Renovation Report, sponsored by Golf Preservations and CapillaryFlow, Brandon Johnson talks about his entry into the game playing as a child and how that led eventually to a successful career as a golf course architect. A graduate of North Carolina State University, Johnson also earned a master's degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University. Johnson discusses how his time as a student at NC State prepared him for continuing his education at Harvard, and how postgraduate studies in the Ivy League provided unique experiences that he probably would not have been exposed to otherwise. Some of those experiences include working at the PGA Tour Design School, being the lead architect for the First Tee program and study-abroad opportunities in locations such as England, France, Italy and Switzerland and how each helped form his career that includes learning under Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay.

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.

In Round 14 of Wilber & McCormick, Tag Team Unscripted, Dave relates his progress (and challenges) with getting used to a new knee. Peter finally had occasion to get on an airplane for a family wedding, and enjoyed the niceties of sitting up front in the "fat seats". After comparing notes on (in Peter’s case, not watching) The Masters, the guys dig into some new turf technology in the form of the Ecorobotix AI-based precision sprayer. They wind up with a chat about a recent X thread on work/life balance and changing culture in the workplace.

In this episode of Rockbottum Radio, Willy is forced to wear a Mindfulness Monitoring Device if he wants to retain his life insurance. After exposure to several thousand watts of Mindfulness, Willy delivers a solution to the Resort Workforce Dilemma, a problem that continues to agitate Golf Course Superintendents. In Storytime, Willy tells the tale that reveals why he became so goofy.

Frank got a chance to catch up with Andy Magnasco, Director of Golf Course Maintenance and Grounds at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA about his career development and how he arrived in his current role - a second stint at the Ranch. We discussed the many and varied projects from Bentgrass putting surfaces on the golf course to fire prevention for land management and yoga platforms that enhance the guest experience. Andy is among the most thoughtful turfgrass professionals I have had the opportunity to chat with and listening to this podcast will likely inspire others to take on the many challenges that are offered at any golf course!