Penn State Turf Club

     On Tuesday September 29th, the Penn State Turf Club welcomed guest speaker 
Mike Mausolf to State College to share his golf course management experiences and knowledge with us. Mike is the Superintendent of the South Course at Oakland Hills Country Club in Michigan. For those that are unfamiliar with Oakland Hills, it is a top 20 ranked golf course, in the United States, with a very prestigious history and culture. Mike gave us great insight on what it takes to be a superintendent at a high level course, what to expect from the job, how one should conduct themselves professionally, and how to manage time and people efficiently. He also shared great insight on possible job and internship opportunities with Oakland Hills in the future. Mike gave a very well rounded and educating presentation. We want to extend our gratitude to him and Oakland Hills for allowing him to be here and help us grow as students. We wish you good luck with the 2016 U.S. Amateur! Thank you for becoming another great connection in the Penn State turf family Mike! 

On Thursday April 23rd, Penn State hosted a guest speaker. Along with winning the Turf Bowl in San Antonio, Penn State Turf students were awarded a visit from world renown agronomist and golf course consultant, Lewis Sharp, for winning the Tee-2-Green Trivia Challenge. The reward from Mr. Sharp was an informational lecture that shared just a small portion of his vast amount knowledge in the seed and golf course industries. The turf club was informed on many of the precise, painstaking processes it takes to breed and grow different types of turf. Mr. Sharp also informed us on Penn State turf legend Dr. Joe Duich's footprint in the Tee-2-Green company and how his world famous Penncross seed is their leading seller. The meeting came to a close with the presentation of a plaque from Lewis to the turf club for winning. On behalf of the turf club, I would like to extend a huge thank you to Lewis for making the trip and taking the time to teach our students a little bit of what it takes to be successful.

On Tuesday April 21st, John Deere Golf hosted a celebration dinner for Penn State Turf Bowl Competitors, faculty, and Alumni at the Nittany Lion Inn.  Alumni from Augusta National, Merion, Shelter Harbor, and Mountaintop were present. The evening kicked off with a small mixer where students and alumni met and talked turf. Before dinner, Tom Hannigan and Dave Plaster of John Deere recognized the alumni present and the success of the PSU turf teams. Three teams placed in the top ten capturing 1st, 3rd, and 9th place. After dinner, stories and memories generated laughs by all in attendance. The students presented Dr. Ben McGraw their advisor with a framed picture of the group and a card thanking him for his dedication. Many stories about the late Dr. Joe Duich were also told, demonstrating the incredible impact he had on his students. We want to extend a big thank you to John Deere for assembling a great group and evening, celebrating Penn State’s Turf Bowl success!

   On Tuesday March 31, the Penn State Turf Club invited Beaver Stadium Groundskeeper Paul Curtis to come and speak at our meeting. Paul's task was to inform us on the many aspects of maintaining Beaver Stadiums football field and staff. Upholding the center piece of a football history this rich requires vigorous work, time, and dedication. After hearing what Paul had to say, it's easy to see that this is no easy task. Everywhere from mowing to making sure his staff is satisfied, there are no shortcuts to making our field safe and aesthetically pleasing. Paul also hinted that Beaver Stadium might soon be hosting events other than college football games (such as the NHL Winter Classic). Even if this is just speculation, it would be a historic task for our staff, one that Paul thinks we are ready for. As requested by Joe Paterno, Beaver Stadium has ONLY played host to college football. It could be the end of an era and a movement into a new market and the ticket to a free re-sodding! On behalf of the Turf Club, I would like to thank Paul for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come and meet with us. Thanks Paul!

The Penn State Turf Club would like to thank all who donated to the club this past year.  The club has received donations from the following individuals; Turf Equipment and Supply Company, Baltusrol Golf Club, Mark and Janet Kuhns, Wendell and Linda Boyd, and David Guerin of G.H Griffith Inc.  The Turf Club appreciates your donation and commitment to continuing education in the turfgrass management field.

With a growing concern in the Turfgrass industry over water management and usage the Penn State Turf Club has Chosen Dr. Phillip Watson and Dawn Thilmany's article titled "Water-use efficiency in golf" for the 2011 Article of the Year. The article appeared in the June 2011 issue of GCM magazine and was chosen because of its relevance to the industry today. Turf Club members felt that it accurately presented the facts about water consumption on golf courses and gave facts to the reader rather than myths. The Penn State Turf Club would like to congratulate Dr. Phillip Watson and Dawn Thilmany on their outstanding work and look forward to more publishings in the future.

At 7pm on Tuesday the 26th of January Mr. Curtis Tyrrell, Director of Golf Course Operation at the Medinah Country Club, will be visiting PSUturfclub.

Medinah Country Club in Chicago, IL will be hosting the 2012 Ryder Cup and Mr. Tyrrell will be speaking about how they are preparing their facility for one of the biggest events in sports.

Mr. Tyrrell, a Certified Golf Course Superintendent, is a graduate of the Penn State 2 year program.

He went straight in to the position of assistant at PGA West, Palm Springs CA after graduation. His career has taken him via superintendent positions at Desert Mountain, Scottsdale, AZ, Anthem Golf Club, Las Vegas, NV and Lake of Isles, CT to his current position as Director of Golf Course Operation at Medinah Country Club

At Lake of Isles, Mr. Tyrrell was in charge of the simultaneuos construction and the grow-in of two 18 hole golf courses.

After opening in 2005 ( South Course in April and North Course in May) Lake of Isles has received numerous prestigiuos distinctions.

In his position at Medinah CC he is working with his 3 superintendents to build a strong team atmosphere among the maintenance staff, instead of having 3 seperate courses.

Curtis Tyrrell, Medinah Country Club

The Turf Club held its annual luncheon during the Golf Course Turf Conference at the Nittany Lion Inn. This year's event drew superintendents from around the country for an update from the faculty and students in the turfgrass programs.

(Photo) Dean Graves, superintendent at Chevy Chase Country Club, Max Schlossberg (Associate Professor of Turfgrass Nutrition), and several students watch on as Andy McNitt gives the program update.

After a great lunch, the group was given an update on the turf program from Dr. McNitt, an update on the past year's events from Turf Club President Neils Dokkuma (2-year class of 2010) and a look at what's in store for the upcoming year from new Club President James Seisun (2-year class of 2011).

The highlight of the annual event continues to be the introductions of everyone in attendance. Each person stood up and introduced themselves and gave a little bit of background on their career and what Penn State means to them. Matt Shaffer, Director of Agronomy at Merion Golf Club, told the group how important Penn State was to him and promised any students looking for an internship three things:

1. ...to teach them everything he knows about being a superintendent,
   
2. ...to overwork them,
   
3. ...and to undercompensate them!

For the third year in a row, Ohio was the middle ground for turfgrass students from Penn State (PSU) and Michigan State (MSU) to test their skills of golf against one another in a match play format. The Sharon Golf Club was the immaculate venue for the 2009 Cutter Cup. The 18th anniversary of the competition fell under the care of General Manager and Superintendent Frank Dobie. Following a first rate tour of the grounds maintenance facilities, the group headed to the clubhouse for lunch prior to the match.

The five players from each university had the luxury of caddies, a welcome treat from having to carry their own clubs. The weather was indeed kind and the slight bite to the late morning air was soon lost with the walk down the first hole. The Sharon Golf Club has two nines different from one another. The front nine had tree-lined fairways, while the back nine offered several water hazards to test the skills of all. With smooth, slick, undulating greens the matches were challenging.

The first group was led by professors from both PSU and MSU. Their match was taken to the 17th hole before MSU took the opportunity to finish the match 2 and 1. The turfgrass students were fighting their own battles with matches finishing on various holes. As the final group putted out on the 18th green it was announced the final score was PSU 4 to MSU 1. Penn State defended their victory in 2008 and brought the mighty Cutter Cup back home to University Park. The record now stands at PSU 7 and MSU 6, with matches ending in a draw on five occasions.

A special thanks to The Sharon Golf Club, Mr. Frank Dobie, and the PSU and MSU teams for making it all happen. We would also like to give a warm thanks to Mr. Dobie and Mr. Bruce Williams for treating PSU and MSU to lunch, respectively. Congratulations to all the players and caddies for participating in such a great day of golf and networking.

Check out more photos from this year's Cutter Cup

James Seisun

The Cutter Cup, which pits students from Penn State and Michigan State's turfgrass programs, will happen this Sunday. This year's event is being hosted by Golf Course Superintendent Frank Dobie and The Sharon Golf Club located in Ohio.

Students from the 2 and 4 year turfgrass programs competed last Saturday for a chance to participate in the event. This year's competitors teed off on the Penn State White Course at 8:30AM. The winners finished about four and half hours later shooting between 74 and 83. The five qualifiers and their caddies will head to Ohio Sunday morning at 6:30AM.

The Cutter Cup mimics the Sunday rounds of Ryder Cup. Five individuals tee off against one another in the match play event. The winner of each match is awarded 1 point, with a half a point going to a match that ends all square. The first team to 3 points wins the cup. Should the teams split the match with 2.5 points each, the cup would be retained by Penn State who won the event last year.

Penn State's Turf Club held its first meeting of the semester last night. It was a great turnout as approximately 50 students came by to hear about what the club will be getting involved in this year.

Turf Club President, Niels Dokkuma (picture right), welcomed everyone to the meeting and discussed some of the things that would be happening this semester. On the list include:

1. Dance Marathon: The group has signed up to participate in Dance Marathon which helps to raise money to support pediatric cancer. Last year, THON raised over $7,000,000 for the cause!
   
   
2. Cutter Cup: Penn State's Turf Program again faces off against Michigan State in this annual golfing event. Penn State currently has the Trophy with last year's win.
   
   
3. Field Trips: Officers are working hard to arrange a field trip to visit Oakmont Country Club and an Athletic Field in Pittsburgh.
   
   
4. Guest Speaker(s): The group plans to have various guest speakers throughout the year. The first on the list will be John Schoellner (Class of 1969). Mr. Schoellner will discuss how his career path went from Penn State to his current position as General Manager of Estero Country Club.

The Penn State Turf Club had its kickoff BBQ at the Valentine Research Facility yesterday. Students gathered and enjoyed some burgers and dogs, a little game of cornhole, and other activities. There was a great turnout and everyone is excited to get the year started. Up next for the students is qualifications for the Cutter Cup and Turf Bowl teams at STMA and GCSAA.

Check out the photos from the event.