In this podcast we speak frankly about topdressing and fast firm greens with Norm Hummel, retired founder of Hummel and Co. soil testing lab (now a part of Turf and Soil Diagnostics). This conversation focuses on improving your understanding of sand physical properties, especially size and shape of particles as well as turf growth and organic matter accumulation.
To download the .mp3 file of this podcast for offline listening, right-click/tap here and "Save Target As".
In this episode we are Speaking Frankly with Chava McKeel, Director of Government Relations for the GCSAA about the latest implications of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) issue and how it might and now might not affect the golf course industry.
In addition to the the WOTUS discussion expect a lively interaction over the implementation of BMP's for water quality protection and how the BMP's and WOTUS might intersect.
McKeel has been with GCSAA since 1997. She is also a registered
Any of you feeling the effects of the stress and strain of the "100 Days of Hell", you need to LISTEN TO THIS!
In this episode of my TurfNet RADIO show, I Speak Frankly with Paul MacCormack, Golf Course Superintendent and General Manager of Fox Meadow Golf Club, Prince Edward Island, Canada. We chat about being intentional and about pacing yourself during the stressful part of the golf season when your course is most actively used and judged. Paul gives great advice, including tips on how to
In this episode we are Frankly Speaking with David Huff, Professor of Turfgrass Genetics at Penn State University and the foremost authority today on the genetics, breeding potential and management of Poa annua as a greens-type turf.
Dave published an excellent article in the May/June 2015 issue of Greenmaster (the official publication of the Canadian Golf Course Supts.) on managing annual bluegrass with ecology and evolution in mind. Professor Huff outlined a mindset to managing Poa annua t
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Jim Wagner, Vice President and Design Partner with Hanse Golf Design in Malvern, PA. Having met during the design phase of the Rio 2016 Olympic golf course, Frank and Jim discuss the recent US Open at Chambers Bay and creativity in modern design. Creativity in designing a course challenges and rewards a creative golfer and when done properly minimizes maintenance moving toward a sustainable approach to golf and golf turf maintenance.
Today we are Speaking Frankly again with Dr. Micah Woods, Chief Scientist at the Asian Turfgrass Center in Bangkok, Thailand, on increasing the precision of nutrient management programs and understanding the value of light for high performance golf turf management.
To download this podcast as an .mp3 file, right click or tap here and select "Save Link (or Target) As".
In this episode, I speak frankly with Steve McDonald, owner/operator of Turfgrass Disease Solutions, Spring City, PA. Steve has a MS degree from the University of Maryland and has extensive training in turfgrass disease identification, extension, research and teaching in turfgrass science with an emphasis of turfgrass pest management.
Listen to lively banter about turf conditions this spring in the Mid-Atlantic, annual bluegrass weevil on bentgrass, disease management keys looking to the sum
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with my old buddy Norm Hummel, Ph.D., recently semi-retired after selling his soil physical testing lab to Turf and Soil Diagnostics. Norm and I chat about what superintendents can do "from the bottom up" to manage putting surface firmness given the new tools available to put actual numbers to firmness and moisture levels.
Norm gives guidance regarding "knowing what you're putting down" when topdressing, layering different texture sands on one ano
In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO I chat with Mike Huck, former USGA Agronomist now with Irrigation and Turfgrass Services of California, about the latest on efficient water management, the situaion CA golf courses are facing, and how water use will change in the next five years. Have a listen, or download the .mp3 for offline listening.
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, CGM, Director of Grounds for Stone Mountain Golf Club and the Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Anthony is the author of The Environmental Stewardship Toolkit, an excellent handbook for golf course superintendents interested in a practical approach to environmental stewardship. Anthony was also the 2009 TurfNet Superintendent of the Year! Buckle up for a full throttle discussion about w
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Dave Oatis, director of the Northeast Region of the USGA Green Section, about winter injury, waking the course up in the Spring, and Dave's favorite topic: Golf Course Tree Management Programs. Check it out below, or download it here for listening offline.
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In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, we are following up with Dr. Micah Woods of the Asian Turfgrass Center on the MLSN concept and new discussion about using growth potential as a means of scheduling nutrient management additions. An excellent review of a progressive approach to golf turf nutrient management!
Check it out below or download it here for offline listening on your favorite device.
In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, I connect with my old Cornell cohort, Micah Woods, PhD, half-way around the world at his home office in Bangkok, Thailand.
As the chief scientist at the Asian Turfgrass Center, Micah is the co-author of the Global Soil Survey (GSS) that informs the Minimum Level of Sustainable Nutrition (MLSN) efforts with Pace Turf's Dr. Larry Stowell.
Take a listen to this lively discussion about turfgrass nutrition, soil testing, the MLSN guideline
Check out this TurfNet Radio episode where I chat with Greg Wojick, former superintendent and founder of Playbooks for Golf. Greg and I talk about the new Coverage System from Playbooks. The Coverage System is the latest hand-held technology for the golf course superintendent, tracking fertilizer and pesticide use in a unique app format. It even alerts you when the product efficacy window starts to close!
Presented by DryJect and TrueSurface.
Check Out Science Podcasts at Blog Talk Ra
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, I chat with Paul MacCormack, superintendent/GM at Fox Meadow Golf & Country Club (Stratford, Prince Edward Island, Canada) and author of The Mindful Superintendent blog on TurfNet.com. We speak frankly about facing grief and loss with kindness, taking time to recharge during the off-season, and wellness tips that take care of your best asset during the heat of the season - YOU!
Check Out Science Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with TurfNet RADIO on Blo
In this episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, i chat with Dr. Bruce Branham of the University of Illinois on his research with nitrogen physiology, fate and -- most recently -- foliar uptake of nitrogen.
Download the podcast here.
In the latest episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, I spoke with Dr. Paul Koch, plant pathologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the impact of climate on winter disease pressure and fungicide persistence, as well as the latest in traditional, alternative and cultural controls for the snow molds.
You can download the podcast here to listen on your mobile device.
The State of Michigan was among the hardest hit by the severe winter weather of 2013-2014. Dr. Kevin Frank of Michigan State University led the charge of turfgrass recovery and PR outreach to the golfing community.
In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Kevin chats with me about what we learned from last winter and how we can use that knowledge to better combat this type of damage in the future.
In this second episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, Dr. Doug Soldat of the University of Wisconsin-Madison talks about some surprising research into long-standing notions about turf nutrition - notably that late-season shot of nitrogen, and where it does and doesn't wind up.
He also calls into question the practice of boosting potassium fertility at the end of the season to "promote plant hardiness" - where in reality it might best be applied early- and mid-season to combat basal r
We just kicked off our first episode of Frankly Speaking on TurfNet RADIO, chatting with Dr. Brian Horgan of the University of Minnesota about nutrient management and water quality. Thanks to DryJect and Aquatrols for sponsoring. Check it out below!
Each year I grow in respect and admiration for golf course superintendents as professionals. They are problem-solvers, perfection-seekers, nature-lovers, or avid golfers with interest in producing a golf playing surface. From Florida to Vancouver, Portland to Portland and beyond the border in Canada, Europe, Australia and South America, golf course superintendents are getting it done.
As an homage to my superintendent pals, I see trends in management and golfer demands that bug me. I know fo
Got a chance this week for a chat (AKA banter, debate, even argument) with my old pal Dan Dinelli. Anyone in this business with even the slightest interest in a broader environmental perspective on golf turf management knows Dan. I know him as a thoughtful, passionate steward of a piece of land (and exceptionally fine turf) that happens to be a great old country club on the north shore of Chicago. As usual our chat left me with more questions than answers.
The topic this time was Bacterial E
Just back from a week-long tour of Sweden and turned on the Golf Channel coverage of Pinehurst. Brandel Chamblee and Frank Nobilo sat with Coore and Crenshaw, then with Don Padgett II and of course the topic was the "restoration" of #2. I think rather it is a transformation in that it offers the entire golf industry a chance to transform a culture that many leaders of the game now argue has taken golf down an unsustainable path.
Chamblee stated, "maybe we should call them putting surfaces, i
I enjoyed watching last week's coverage of the PGATour's Major Event-The Players Championship. As a Turf Geek - a'la Dave Wilber - I am obsessed with any talk of turf conditions and especially when they ask for player comment and now with Shotlink Data - It is a GEEKS Dream! I wish the discussion included how nimble the Tour Officials and Agronomy Staff were at adapting to the situation at hand.
The focus of the talk was the weak putting surfaces. The commentary had so many angles to it from
I have been doing some great travel this season so far from Spain and England to Canada, as well as Chicago and Wisconsin. There are few things I enjoy professionally more than walking a golf course with the person charged with stewarding the land. In every case the superintendent greets me graciously and shares their thoughts on golf turf management.
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Anyone that has seen Jack Nicholson in The Shining can get a sense of what your golfers will be like this Spring--Here's Johnny!
