The EarthWorks Podcast

Louis Pitcock, Golf Course Superintendent, Avalon Golf Club joins us on the podcast to share innovative strategies for managing the demands of 300-round days during an endless summer. How does he keep both the turf and crew performing at a high level? His unique approach offers several insights you won’t want to miss. Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earth...

Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins catch up with our friend—and returning EarthWorks Podcast guest—Walter Pritchett, Superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Walter recently hosted the ISCO Championship at his course, where Jack had the chance to volunteer. In this episode, Walter shares insights on the prep, the pressure, and the payoff of managing his first PGA tournament....

Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, located in the Fort Myers area of Florida, is a high-traffic public facility with over 55,000 rounds of golf played annually. That alone is a big responsibility for any golf course superintendent—but add in 1,300 homes around the property, all of which rely on the course's irrigation system, and the job becomes even more complex. That’s the daily reality for Ti...

If you're looking to learn a methodical, consistent—and surprisingly peaceful—approach to greenkeeping, this episode is for you. Dave Wood gets the job done with a smile, and Stockton University's greenkeeping success has earned international recognition. After hosting Brazil’s CR Flamengo—one of the world’s most popular sports franchises—Stockton is now a sought-after training base for the 2026 W...

In this episode, Charlie Aubry, Director of Agronomy at East Lake, discusses his early career, East Lake’s renovation, and year-round preparation for the Tour Championship. He shares insights on turfgrass choices, design considerations, community involvement, and what makes the course’s conditioning world-class—plus some personal favorites in a lightning round. Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.ea...

On this episode of the EarthWorks Podcast, step back into the early days of the United States. We visit Liberty Hall Museum in Union, New Jersey, adjacent to Kean University and once home to a founding family, including a signer of the Constitution and the first elected governor of New Jersey. Kayla Doyle, Curator of Archives, sets the stage with historical context before Megan Couch, Assistant Di...

Armen Suny returns to the podcast, and once again, he delivers valuable insights that are essential listening for anyone in the golf industry. In this episode, Armen dives into current hiring trends and what clubs are truly looking for in today’s superintendents. He emphasizes the growing importance of leadership and why it's critical for professionals, especially those early in their careers, to...

In this episode, Kirk Castner takes us through his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to a career in turf and agronomy. He shares how he transitioned from fieldwork to sales at EarthWorks, all while juggling work, family life, and earning two master’s degrees. The conversation explores the inner workings of product manufacturing, supply chain challenges—including the surprising ripple effect...

Biological soil management isn’t just theory—it’s real, and every now and then, we meet someone who proves it in remarkable ways. At a recent EarthWorks Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, we had the pleasure of meeting Zac Ramey, a young golf course superintendent with a powerful success story. Zac introduced himself to Joel Simmons and shared how he transformed the soil profile at the Country...

Ryan Kuster of Ag Enterprise joins Kevin for an in-depth conversation on the future of sprayer technology. Together, they unpack the mechanics, precision, and innovation driving the evolution of modern turf sprayers. Ryan shares real-world insights and highlights some of Ag Enterprise’s most unique custom projects, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology is enhancing application a...

John Reilly joins us to delve into the evolving topic of organic matter in golf greens. There’s been considerable discussion across the industry about how to best test organic matter, with new methods like the OM 2, 4, 6 tests gaining traction. Our key question for John was: Do these tests differentiate between beneficial and harmful organic matter? Anyone familiar with John knows he’s one of the...

We're coming to you from the hallowed athletic fields of LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Our guest, Jeremy Tredway—Director of Athletic Fields and Grounds at LSU—shares what it takes to manage 18 intensely active acres. A standout example: Alex Box Stadium, home to LSU Baseball, hosts an incredible 350 events each year. Jeremy dives into the challenges of maintaining overseeded ryegrass on Celebrat...

The first rounds of the PGA Championship begin on May 15th, but the preparation to make it all happen started well over a year ago. That’s something Keith Wood, Director of Green and Grounds at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, knows all too well. He’s been at Quail Hollow for 10 years and has hosted a tournament every year, including the 2017 PGA Championship. We talked about what i...

Kevin interviews Zach Bauer, CGCS, and Dan Frederiksen, offering a compelling glimpse into the minds of two next-generation superintendents with distinct approaches. Dan champions data-driven precision, employing advanced sensors and analytics to inform his decisions. In contrast, Zach relies on intuition, experience, and real-time observation to guide his turf management. Though their philosophie...

Jack Higgins and Joel Simmons, two passionate agronomists, sat down and shot the breeze on some of their favorite topics. First up was the cold, wet spring that many areas of the country are battling—and one superintendent’s struggle to get his Zoysia grass to green up in the chilly conditions. The conversation turned to rhizophagy, a fascinating and increasingly popular subject in the regenerativ...

What a treat it was to walk and talk with Olee on what might be the most beautiful lawn in America. There are U.S. Open golf courses that would envy his uninterrupted, three-acre pure stand of turf-type tall fescue, mowed at a pristine 3.25 inches. As we strolled, Olee shared stories about soil building and broke down his annual fertilizer plan. He keeps it simple, stays consistent—and the results...

Lawrence Mayhew, chemist extraordinaire, is back by popular demand! This time, we explored how microbiology helps buffer toxin buildup in soil, with a strong focus on managing sodium through the soil’s microbial biome. As expected, humic substances took center stage in our discussion with a world-renowned expert in the field. Lawrence broke down the physical and biological damage sodium can inflic...

Golf course superintendents and sports field managers often dream of landing a great job as a grounds manager at a top school close to home. Tom Barry has been living that dream for over 12 years as the grounds manager at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. Greens Farms Academy is a private PreK-12 school situated just off the Long Island Sound. Its 45-acre campus includes gardens, turf...

Kevin Cooper spent over 25 years as a golf course superintendent in Kentucky, Ohio, and Houston, Texas, where the weather was tough and growing grass was a challenge. A technical and data-driven professional, he holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, which positioned him well for his current role as a digital sales specialist at Syngenta. His position is a new one at the company, and he is one...

This week’s EarthWorks Podcast features a lively conversation between EarthWorks agronomists Kevin Hicks and Joel Simmons. As always, they covered a lot of ground, focusing on key takeaways from this year’s trade shows and the latest industry buzz. With the season ramping up, staying informed on emerging trends is essential. The discussion begins with how carbon-based fertility is reshaping the in...

In this engaging podcast interview, Jon Kiger shares his diverse background and his journey to becoming a key figure at TurfNet. From an early age, Jon was immersed in publicity and promotion—starting as a magician at age 12 and later developing a passion for media at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he managed the campus radio station. His experience in journalism and advertising shaped his approac...

Matt was incredibly open in this interview, sharing great stories from Sylacauga to Skidaway Island. He grew up working on the farm at Farmstead, and since graduating college, he has spent the last 13 years with The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, working on every course. He provides fascinating insights into the construction and regrassing of many of the club’s six courses. Matt also highlight...

Who’s ready to tune in as John and Jack dive into a discussion about Poa annua greens and their passion project, Lehigh Country Club? In forty years, John has come full circle. In 1990, he fumigated the greens and seeded a pure stand of bentgrass. Both Lehigh and John have continued to evolve over the years. If you’re passionate about classic golf courses—especially if you manage Poa annua—this ep...

We had an incredible time at the GIS Trade Show in San Diego, California! It was great reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Jack Higgins had the opportunity to welcome many guests onto our couch for insightful conversations about the GIS event and their experiences with EarthWorks. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined us at the House of Blues, or attend...

We revisit a previously recorded podcast with Dave Wilber from December 2021. In this episode, we discussed some of the key elements of completing a successful renovation project and what to watch out for. It serves as a lead-in to a future podcast where we’ll feature several clients who have recently completed major renovation projects. They’ll each highlight the keys to their success and share w...