TurfNet Podcasts

In this episode Frank speaks with Dr. Michael J. Goatley Jr., Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. His contributions to sports turf management and turfgrass science have earned him numerous honors, including the 2023 PGMS Gold Medal Award and election as an American Society of Agronomy Fellow in 2018. Dr. Goatley and Frank do their best to not sound like the OG Muppets, c...

In this episode, we forecast what lies ahead for golf operations in 2025.  As with all Rockbottum CC intel briefings, it's in code, discernible only by a certain IQ level.  (Not too high, not too low.) In a bonus segment, Ludell gets to the bottum of this whole mysterious drone issue.

Prior to delving into holiday glimmers, Dave provides a Walter update and Peter anticipates the arrival of his new rescue dog, Kobe, inbound from Georgia. One of Peter's glimmers involved a family horse-drawn sleigh ride experience for Patty's birthday, two days after Christmas. Peter laments a catastrophic moment of stupidity with a home project that cost him dearly. Foodie talk prevails with Dav...

Tony Pioppi chats with Eric Morrison, CGCS at Shennecossett Golf Course in Groton, CT, about the seemingly perpetual (since 2009) gradual renovation of the 125 year old Donald Ross designed municipal course located on Long Island Sound. Many of the 100+ bunkers are being renovated for the first time, funded with non-traditional financing within a municipal setting. Plenty at "Royal Shenn...

In this pre-holiday episode, Dave introduces his new puppy, Walter, named after Walter Woods, venerable course manager at the St. Andrews Links. Peter laments a depressive nosedive since he lost his dog, Frosty... coupled with short day length and the upcoming holidays, both of which can be emotionally problematic for many people. He relates his challenges with Christmas tree stands this year, in...

In this special episode of Frankly Speaking highlighting the The First Green program, Frank revisits his conversation with jeff Gullickson, the “Godfather” of the First Green program. The passion that Jeff discusses lays the foundation for the current program managed by Leann Cooper, the Director of First Green And Workforce Development at the GCSAA. Finally Frank catches up with Muhammed Ali, the...

After each experiencing the recent death of a beloved dog, both Dave and Peter look forward to the arrival of new puppies. Glimmers include Peter's hearing from many old friends about his written tribute to Frosty, and a barred owl on a nightime "business trip". They touch on triggers for depression, anger, and the state of social media and YouTube. Lastly, a taste test trial of Everyday Dose mush...

The latest TurfNet All Star of Turf is Bill Kreuser, Ph. D., of TurfGrade LLC of Lincoln, Nebraska. Kreuser has a wide range of experience in the turf industry. He is a former golf course superintendent and professor at the University of Nebraska, and along with Doug Soldat, Ph. D., of the University of Wisconsin, is the founder of TurfGrade LLC. TurfGrade is a multi-platform entity that offers sc...

Frank speaks with Murray Cook, Head of Sports Turf Division at Brightview Sports and a 2025 Inductee into the Virgina Sports Hall of Fame. Murray and Frank discuss three decades of experience, in field construction and renovation for multiple MLB stadiums, Olympic venues, and World Baseball Classic facilities. His expertise spans from the major leagues to emerging baseball markets across Asia and...

Listen in as Carson Letot, Ph. D., joins TurfNet's John Reitman to discuss his less-than-traditional route from an intern on a golf course to becoming a school teacher to finally being named program coordinator of the USGA Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program. A former TurfNet intern in Ireland, Letot fills us in on how the one-year GAP program works as it helps prepare non-traditional students in t...

Glimmers galore in this somewhat music-themed show. Peter kicks it off with a glimmer about a hand truck and his mother-in-law, while Dave follows up with a nice reach out from Emily Casey about dear, departed Bruce. Stuck in a loneliness funk after being home alone (with two geriatric dogs) for a couple weeks, Peter's day is brightened by a package from an old friend. Taylor Swift, Bruce Springst...

Frank speaks with Dr. Chas Schmid from Oregon State University on the evolution of his thinking on organic matter and nutrient management from early days meeting in Nebraska, a stint for Chas Ph. D. at Rutgers University and now as part of the thriving OSU Turfgrass Program. An in-depth discussion of modern-day organic matter management with particular reference to the new 5 yr project underw...

In this episode of Renovation Report Emily Casey, assistant superintendent at Seven Canyons Golf Club in Sedona, Arizona, talks with Brad Klein about her non-traditional route into the turf business from the corporate world. Casey, who has been chosen to attend next year's BTME conference as part of the Links to Success program, never played golf before moving from the Midwest to Arizona, and disc...

In this post-election -- nah -- episode, Dave and Peter share some glimmers, chat about methods for dealing with unwelcome news and limiting the inroads allowed to stressors, talk about sore winners, and dump out the mailbag for comments and feedback. There's a bit of election rehash, the first Lesson from the Bus, and a reaffirmation of why we're doing this.

This episode is a hybridized Podcast/Radio Show starring Mark Hoban, the Jedi Master of golf turf.  He forced his way into our studio and demanded we tell the truth about his USGA Metrics Ball methods and results.  We managed to trick him into going to lunch early so we could complete the show and slip in a bonus Story Time.

Frank visits with Kayla Kipp, Certified Turfgrass Equipment Manager at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania. Kayla takes us through her journey as the daughter of a handyman-Dad to her current leadership role at Nemacolin as well her support of Equipment Managers and Technicians benefiting from her involvement in the GCSAA’s education program. The conversation included a good ole’ de...

Dave and Peter ponder the passing of Dave's dog Bruce, touch on the US election, debate the value of social media participation, and answer the question of whether Turf Twitter is dead.

Scott Lambert's career in golf began like that of many superintendents — working on a golf course as a summer job. His career shifted onto the fast track after nearly 10 years prepping under William Shirley at Peachtree Golf Club in Brookhaven, Georgia, Lambert ventured 10 miles up the road to Atlanta Country Club, a 1965 William C. Byrd design, where he has been head superintendent since 2019. Al...

Striking while the iron is hot, Dave and Peter mix it up again with a convo on loneliness at the top and the value of regular face-to-face "safety meetings". Glimmers of the week are shared, as are updates on Bruce and Frosty. Good stuff. Presented by TurfRad.

Frank got the band back together for their annual conversation about the business of golf. Jim Koppenhaver of Pellucid Golf and Stuart Lindsay of Edgehill Consulting join Frank for a lively chat about the 20 percent growth in golf since the Pandemic, the lower supply of courses, changing golf playing patterns due to remote work and a vibrant economy stimulating the golfing demographic. Always some...

Dave Wilber and Peter McCormick launch a new unscripted podcast series with an impromptu conversation between two old friends, riffing on Life and Health with a little Turf thrown in for good measure. Topics range from Dave's recent weight loss and new job with turfRad to glimmers, positive energy with aging dogs, food noise, mushroom coffee and the gut microbiome. All good stuff. The first round...

David Webner is winding up a 42 year career in golf turf management, the last almost-25 of which have been as the golf course superintendent at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River, Ohio, on the west side of Cleveland. Peter McCormick caught up with David and got some fascinating insight into what makes him tick.

The inimitable Dr. Brandon Horvath from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville joins Frank to chat about his early days growing up playing golf, time with Dr. Joe Vargas, what makes a good candidates for the turfgrass industry, and  an elaborate discussion on the analytics of golf and course management. This concludes our interviews of ALL the UT faculty!

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Dr. Jay McCurdy, Associate Professor and Mississippi State Turfgrass Extension Specialist, about a variety of topics concerning his career that has spanned from farming in TN to working with Dr. Micah Woods in Asia and now as the Mississippi Turfgrass Extension Specialist. Dr. McCurdy has led the USDA Refuge Lawn project that some might say ca...

Carlton Henry was well prepared when he earned his first head superintendent position three years ago at Dedham Country and Polo Club just outside Boston. A native of New York, Henry first prepped at golf courses in his home state, home to the nation’s strictest pesticide regulations. A graduate of the Rutgers turf program, he eventually spent several years working for another Rutgers product, Joh...