Turf Today

Jack Willhite joins the Turf Today Podcast to share his journey from his first days at Savannah Golf Club to becoming a Golf Course Superintendent at Berkeley Hills in Georgia. A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), Jack has built his career through hard work, a passion for the industry, and a willingness to embrace every challenge along the way. In this episode, we cover every...

This week on Turf Today, we sit down with Nick Daley, Golf Course Superintendent at Capilano Golf & Country Club. Originally from Sydney, Australia, Nick's journey through the turf industry has taken him from his first days at Nicklaus North Golf Course to becoming one of Canada's rising leaders in golf course management. A graduate of Penn State World Campus, Nick has worked his way through nearl...

This week on Turf Today, we sit down with Anton Vergottini, a Superintendent at Suntree Country Club in Florida. Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, Anton shares his journey into the turf industry. From his early days as a carnival operator to becoming a Golf Course Superintendent, Anton talks about the experiences, challenges, and lessons that helped shape his career. This includes: some...

This week on Turf Today, Adam and Brian chat with golf fitness instructor and the founder of Golf Gains, John Irvine to discuss the importance of taking care of yourself while working in the golf and turf industry. John shares his journey into golf fitness, his experience training golfers of all skill levels, and why physical health plays such a critical role in both performance and quality of lif...

In this episode of Turf Today, we sit down with Andrew Lewandowski, a Golf Course Superintendent whose journey in turf began at Oldham County Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky and led him through The Ohio State University's turfgrass program and into different roles before becoming Superintendent at Cherry Blossom GC.   Andrew shares stories from his career, including volunteering at the 2024 P...

This week on Turf Today, the boys sit down with one of the most respected voices in the turfgrass industry, Frank Rossi. From his years at Cornell University to consulting, research, education, and podcasting, Frank has spent decades helping shape the way golf courses are maintained around the world. In this episode, Frank joins Adam Courchaine and Brian Laurent for a wide-ranging conversation on...

This week we sit down with Stewart Naugler, Director of Agronomy at LoraLoma Club, one of the newest golf developments in Texas. A third-generation superintendent, Stewart shares his journey through the industry, the mentors who helped shape his career, and what it's been like helping bring a brand new golf course to life from the ground up. Packed with experience, industry insight, and plenty of...

This week we're joined by Jim Pavonetti, longtime superintendent at Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. Fresh off receiving the President's Award for Environmental Stewardship from the GCSAA, Jim brings a wealth of experience, perspective, and leadership to the conversation. What really stands out about Jim is how genuine he is. He's not only a highly respected superintendent, but als...

This week on Turf Today, we're joined by Marcus Harness, Superintendent at Sand Point Country Club in Seattle. A longtime friend of the show, Marcus brings a wealth of experience from a career that's taken him through 10 different golf courses, starting from his early days growing up on a course to ultimately finding a place he now calls home. Now in a leadership role, Marcus shares what it means...

This week, we're joined by Will Haskett, broadcaster on PGA Tour Radio and author of The Science of Golf . Will brings a unique mix of insight and storytelling as he walks us through his journey in golf media. From career highlights behind the mic to what really goes into a live broadcast, this episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at the game from a different perspective. This one hits close to...

This week on Turf Today, Adam and Brian sit down with Bubba Wright, Director of Agronomy at Big Cedar Lodge, one of the most unique and breathtaking golf destinations in the world. Bubba's journey through the industry is nothing short of elite. From studying turf at Rutgers University, to interning at Pebble Beach Golf Links, spending time as an assistant at TPC Scottsdale, and eventually returnin...

This week on Turf Today, we sit down with Ryan Trudeau, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent at Maidstone Club in New York. Originally from Montreal, Ryan's journey into the turf industry led him through Penn State's renowned turfgrass program and into an internship at Maidstone, an opportunity that quickly turned into a career thanks to the club's strong culture and leadership. In this episode, R...

This week, Adam and Brian sit down with Riverbend Golf Club Superintendent Derek Williams, whose path into the turf industry is anything but conventional. A 14-year combat veteran of the U.S. Army and Purple Heart recipient, Derek shares a powerful story of resilience, transition, and rediscovery. After years of service, Derek found something unexpected on the golf course, a sense of purpose, peac...

This week, we sit down with Brian Seltzer, a turfgrass student at Penn State who's right on the doorstep of his internship, and joining us live while volunteering at The Players Championship. Brian's path into the turf industry isn't your typical one. Originally enrolled in mathematics and competing in NCAA downhill ski racing, he spent time out in Colorado living the ski bum lifestyle before even...

This week on the podcast, Adam and Brian sit down with Brian Chalifoux, the Golf Course Superintendent at Fort Wayne Country Club. Brian grew up on the golf course alongside his dad, who served as the club's Superintendent for many years. From early mornings riding around the course as a kid to eventually stepping into the Superintendent role himself, Brian's story is one deeply rooted in family a...

In this episode, the boys sit down with Craig Kirby, Founder and CEO of Golf. My Future. My Game, for a conversation packed with purpose, passion, and plenty of laughs. With more than 40 years of experience in politics and as a graduate of Harvard University, Craig brings a unique perspective to the game of golf. While he's long enjoyed playing, his appreciation for the craft of greenkeeping truly...

This week on Turf Today, The guys chat with a friend of many in this industry, Mark Jordan. Mark spent 36 years at Westfield Country Club, serving as Superintendent, General Manager, and Director of Agronomy. A rare combination of leadership roles that speaks to the trust, respect, and vision he brought to the property. From championship-level course conditions to leading teams and mentoring futur...

On this episode, Adam and Brian sit down with Ashley Young, owner, superintendent, and second-generation steward of a truly special property called The Fields. Ashley's story comes full circle. His dad, Mike Young, originally designed and built the course back in '89. Decades later, Ashley now leads the very land his family shaped from the ground up, carrying the vision forward while putting his o...

In this episode of Turf Today we sit down with Grace Allen , a rising young professional in the turf industry from Brentwood, California , whose story is rooted in growing up on the golf course alongside their dad. What started as childhood exposure turned into a true passion for turf management and leadership. Grace walks us through their journey, from school and internships to earning the S econ...

On this episode of Turf Today, the boys are joined by  Tye Nichols , the creator of Fairway Fields, an abandoned golf course he and his family took a leap of faith on and brought back to life. What started as a passion project quickly turned into one of the most popular turf and golf stories on social media. Tye shares the journey of buying a neglected course, the challenges of restoring it, and w...

In this episode, Brian and Adam sit down with Bryan Hunter, Head Superintendent at Seven Lakes Golf Club, for a wide-ranging and entertaining conversation. Bryan shares how his early passion for greenkeeping sparked a career that took him through a variety of roles across the turf industry, including a period away from the profession before ultimately finding his way back. Beyond the agronomy, Bry...

We're joined once again by Tanner Coffman, Director of Turf Management with the TGL and TMRW Sorts , for an inside look at s eason 1 and what's ahead in s eason 2 . Tanner breaks down what it took to bring the inaugural season to life, shares behind-the-scenes stories from the turf side, and offers a glimpse into the future of the league. We also dive into innovation and branding, including Tanner...

In this episode of Turf Today, Adam and Brian chat with Dave Ragan of Ragan Technical Solutions, a true veteran of the irrigation industry. Dave shares unforgettable stories from his career, including a memorable run-in at Five Guys, learning the hard way about winter gear, and a pivotal moment where legendary golf course architect Pete Dye saved him on the course. Beyond the stories, Dave offers...

Adam and Brian jump on for the final episode of the year and recap some of the successes and highlights from a wonderful turf season. We want to thank all of the guests who have joined us, as well as the parters that keep the show running! We also want to thank our listeners for bringing this show to life and to where it is today. We are so fortunate to have such passionate and supportive individu...

In this fourth episode of Rolling With the Green Section , Adam and Brian bring on two USGA agronomists who are shaping the way Superintendents think about turf stress, recovery, and long-term planning. First, we sit down with Tom Gould , author of "It's Wet Wilt Season" and "Mending by Seeding" , to break down moisture stress, wilt patterns, and some ways to rebuild turf during peak pressure. The...