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.
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:
- 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!
- 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.
- Field Trips: Officers are working hard to arrange a field trip to visit Oakmont Country Club and an Athletic Field in Pittsburgh.
- 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.
The Penn State Turf Club will be hosting a BBQ cookout at the Valentine Turfgrass Research and Education Facility on Tuesday September 15th. The cookout will begin at 6PM and will be a great way for returning students to catch up with their classmates and for new students to get meet each other.
What: Penn State Turf Club BBQ
Where: Valentine Research Facility
When: 6:00PM on September 15, 2009
Who: Anyone interested in Turf!
If you have any questions, contact Dan McGinley (DMM5143@psu.edu)
The Cutter Cup is an annual golf tournament between two of the nations top turfgrass programs, Penn State vs. Michigan State. A total of 24 spots have been secured for the event which will be hosted at the Penn State White Course. Those intending to participate in this year's qualifying should note that there is a $10 fee, which goes towards shirts and travel expenses for the event. Keep in mind that typical scores for past qualifiers held at Penn State's White Course are in the 70's and low 80's. Also, all participants in the qualifying match must be able to travel with the team to participate in the Cutter Cup in Ohio on Sunday October 11, 2009.
The top 4 golfers plus a Captain's Choice will be selected to participate in this year's Cutter Cup. Additional qualifiers will be selected to serve as caddies for those competing in the event.
To Sign-up for this year's Cutter Cup Qualifying Match, please check for sign-up sheets in the lobby of ASI Building.
What: Cutter Cup Qualifying Match
Who: Turf Club Members
Where: Penn State White Course
When: October 3, 2009
Time: 8:00AM
Cost: $10/golfer ($17 for carts)
The 2009 College Info and Club Fair will be held Wednesday, September 2, from 11 AM – 2 PM on the grassy area behind the ASI greenhouses and across from Creamy patio. The purpose of the info fair is to introduce our College students new to University Park to college academic programs and clubs, organization and society opportunities. All academic programs and Department clubs, organizations and societies are invited to exhibit. Creamery ice cream will be served.
This is your best chance to find out about the Turf Club and see all that it has to offer all returning and new student in Penn State's Turfgrass Science Programs.
The students at Penn State's main campus made their way back to University Park this weekend and invigorated campus today. Now that the students are back, look for turf club meetings to begin within the next couple of weeks.
On the agenda early in the semester:
1. Preparations for the Cutter Cup Qualifier.
2. Signups for STMA and GCSAA Turf Bowl preparation classes
3. Identification of guest speakers for the semester
4. Coordination of the semester field trip to athletic field and golf course
5. MANY more things...
Are you a new student and want to find out how you can get involved and what the Turf Club has to offer you? Then email us at turf@psu.edu
A complete redesign of the Penn State Turf Club is underway in anticipation of the returning students next weekend. Some items that will be helpful include the following:
Calendar of Events: A calendar of events has been created that will allow students to track important events at Penn State and for the Turf Club.
Search Feature: A new search feature has made it easier to find exactly what you are looking for on the site. Just type in a keyword and see what the Turf Club has to say about your topic.
Twitter Updates: As Penn State continues to move into the era of social media and web 2.0, increased information and updates will be available on the PSUTurf twitter page.
Image Gallery: Although limited images are available at the time of this post, students will be able to post images online and give visitors to the site a view of some of the activities, field trips, and projects our students are working on.
Look for a spark of additional information once the students return and put their efforts into the new website!
