Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. VTC’s 2026 Lawn and Landscape Short Course will be held at Belmont Recreation Center (1600 Hilliard Road, Henrico, Virginia) December 1–3, with space limited this year due to demand. Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge from expert instructors and, in the words of Aristotle (probably), “those who attend the Belmont Short Course will make excellence a habit.” He totally, definitely said that. But seriously, members and guest attendees applaud the high quality instruction and credit the course with enhancing their career growth and trajectory. Held on
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. Please join us in welcoming Christy Rose as the new Membership & Events Coordinator for the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association (TGCSA) and Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA). Christy recently relocated to Franklin, Tennessee, from Overland Park, Kansas, where she taught English and History in the Special Education Department. She holds a Master’s degree in Education and brings a passion for building relationships, serving others, and creating meaningful experiences. Christy and her husband, Pat, superintendent at Belle Meade Country Club, are
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode covers the Tennessee Turfgrass Association’s Stars of the Industry Awards nominations due on October 1st 2026. The Stars of the Industry Awards recognizes outstanding individuals in the turf industry. Please try to keep in mind any operations or individuals that make a statement to you or the industry and nominate them for a Stars Award. You do not have to be a member to nominate someone for an award. Nomination Categories Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award One of the most prestigious and highest recognitions bestowed on a Tennessee turfgr
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Plant Growth Regulators and Biostimulants For Fine Turf — What’s the Difference?” written by Richard E. Schmidt, Professor Emeritus, Virginia Tech. Read from the July / August 2026 issue of Virginia Turfgrass Journal. Introduction, written by Mike Goatley, Jr., Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Richard E. Schmidt passed on December 31, 2025 at the age of 94. Upon the passing of his wife, June, in 2022, Dick’s son, Stephen, asked me to please “keep Dad active and engag
Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “How a near-death experience led to a career in turfgrass” by Matt Duncan, CSFM. Read from the Summer 2026 issue of Pennsylvania Turfgrass. How can the worst thing that has ever happened to you also be the best thing that has ever happened to you? This is a question I ask myself when reflecting on more than three decades in the turfgrass industry. The year was 1995. I was a sophomore majoring in Sociology and Criminal Justice at Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Then, in April of that year, my life took a turn
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features research from North Carolina State University student Brooke Heikkila on machine vision-guided targeted herbicide applications for weed management in turfgrass. In recent years, a variety of new spot spraying technologies have been introduced into agriculture that uses machine vision and artificial intelligence to selectively treat weeds. Targeted spraying opens the door to use nonselective herbicides or novel herbicide admixtures that were previously too expensive or injurious to turfgrass when applied as broadcast treatments. Targeted a
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “Preparing for the Next Poa Control Season” by Scott McElroy, PhD – Professor, Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences, Auburn University and and Travis Gannon, PhD – Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Science, North Carolina State University. Quote – “When did Noah build the Ark? Before the Rain.” – Robert Redford in “Spy Game” It is the end of Poa annua’s life span here in the southeast. As this article is being written in late May, Poa is struggling to produce that last bit of seed it can before it dies, pe
Mark your calendar for the 2026 Blacksburg Field Day on August 24 – 25, 2026 at Virginia Tech and the Turfgrass Research Center in Blacksburg. This year’s event begins with an elevated kickoff at Blacksburg Country Club, where we are partnering to bring together the fun of Goatley Rules mixed with tradition golf fun for 9 holes of pure entertainment and camaraderie. The Monday program features a 3:00 PM shotgun start followed by a welcome happy hour and dinner at 6:00 PM. On Tuesday, attendees will gather at the Turfgrass Research Center for breakfast and registration at 7:30 AM, field day tou
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode features the article “George & Giles Leading Major Renovation at Lexington” written by Beck Stanley, Executive Director of the Virginia Turfgrass Council. It’s been more than two decades since Lexington, Virginia woke up to the good fortune of golf holes being crafted into its rolling mountain landscape. That drought is ending with the highly anticipated Lester George/Vinny Giles renovation of Lexington Golf & Country Club, one of Virginia’s oldest clubs and certainly among its most beautiful layouts. George is following the iconic Ellis Maples, a
Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode covers the 7th Annual Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM). Are you looking for a refresher course in the principles of turfgrass management? Is there someone on your turf maintenance staff that you would like to provide an opportunity for professional development in turf management? The Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team offers an affordable virtual 13-week training program called VT-STEM that covers all areas of turfgrass management. The School is primarily intended to serve the educational needs of those seeking professi
