It takes more than just a collection of eager and willing scientists to conduct research and communicate the results to professional turf managers. It takes money, organization and support from throughout the turf and ornamental industry. It also requires someone to pull those pieces together so golf course superintendents, sports turf managers and lawn and landscape professionals can stay up to date with results from the most current research data available through events such as university field days and regional and national turf conferences.
For the past five years, Brian Laurent has been that person for the 50-year-old Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. The son of a golf course superintendent, the 35-year-old Laurent is an Ohio State alumnus with a degree in communications whose goal is to promote turfgrass research, education and advocacy across the state through events such as the OTF Research Field Day and the upcoming OTF Conference and Show, both of which are held in cooperation with his alma mater. Through such programs, OTF raises funds to help support research efforts by the university's turf research department.
"Brian has done a great job of communicating with the turf industry in Ohio and of being our cheerleader to those groups," said Pam Sherratt, sports turf specialist at Ohio State. "He has helped promote our research and education programs by producing videos and articles and social media postings about the turf program, as well as physically helping me to host events like the sports turf short course."
The relationship between OTF and OSU is one of codependence. In fact, the foundation and OSU's turf research staff share the same building on the school's research farm on the northwest edge of campus. OTF funded the construction of the building complete with offices, lab facilities, as well as chemical and equipment storage areas 20 years ago then donated the structure to the university.
"The simple part of the relationship is that they are our primary benefactor. Part of our mission is to support the research efforts of the team at Ohio State," Laurent said. "For the past 50 years, we've done this by providing individual projects with grant money. We've built a state-of-the-art research building for Ohio State and serve as the primary source of funding for the operation of the research facility. Part of why I do what I do is because I believe deeply in the turf team at Ohio State. They're exceptionally talented at what they do and are sincere in their efforts to provide industry professionals with information to make their jobs a little easier. They go out of their way to provide us (OTF) with articles and information that we can distribute to our members and are regular contributors at our events throughout the year."
Working on behalf of the golf industry is nothing new to Laurent. His father, Terry, is co-owner and superintendent at Cross Creek Golf Club in Decatur, Indiana, and previously spent 17 years as director of golf courses and grounds at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
The younger Laurent worked as an assistant pro, or "shirt folder" as he called it, at Hawthorns Golf and Country Club before moving on to become head pro at Cross Creek when his father bought the club in 2005. He also cut his teeth on the business side of sports selling sponsorships for the Columbus Destroyers of the Arena Football League and the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets after he and wife Kristi returned to Columbus.
It was only a matter of time before he also returned to an industry that helped serve the game of golf and those who work in it.
Laurent joined OTF as its executive director for "the opportunity to surround myself with the people of this industry," he said. "It's been a part of my life for nearly 30 years, and I've developed many relationships within the industry while attending various events with my dad. The idea of being involved with such an extraordinary group of people was a big draw for me. Additionally, the turf industry has provided me with many opportunities, and it's extremely rewarding to give back to the industry in some capacity."
His position with OTF includes attending legislative meetings at the state capitol in Columbus, planning and implementing OTF events, running board of directors meetings, generating email and video content to deliver to members and more. With just one other staff member, Laurent relies on volunteers and others to help him reach those goals."He takes a leadership role during our annual research field day and always extends a professional arm to industry collaborators and sponsors," Sherratt said. "In essence, he's the gel that connects us to the turf industry in Ohio, and I for one consider him part of the OSU turf team."
The upcoming OTF Conference and Show, scheduled for Dec. 7-10 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, is one of the country's largest regional turf conferences. The OTF show typically includes a keynote speaker with ties to Ohio State. This year's speaker is OSU wrestling coach Tom Ryan, who in March guided the Buckeyes to their first national championship on the mat. Past speakers during Laurent's OTF tenure have included former Buckeye and Detroit Lion Chris Spielman, former OSU All-America basketball player Jerry Lucas and ex-Buckeyes football coach Jim Tressell, who led the led Ohio State to the 2002 national championship. Those keynote talks have helped drive show attendance among turf managers from around Ohio and throughout the Midwest.
The launch of a mobile app at last year's show brought conference schedules, programs and other information directly to each attendee carrying a smartphone.
"Brian Lauren has been an innovative leader who has done an excellent job of infusing ideas that have improved programming for members and funding opportunities for Ohio State," said associate professor David Gardner, Ph.D.
"He is very creative, motivated and it is apparent that he has a passion for our industry and OTF."