Congratulations to Wilson D. Kreitz (4-year program) and Chase Groelle (2-year program) for receiving the Dr. James R. Watson Jr. Memorial Turfgrass Award for the 2024/2025 academic year!

Wilson is currently a sophomore in the College of Agricultural Science majoring in Turfgrass Science, with a minor in Agribusiness Management. Learn more about Wilson here.

Chase is currently enrolled in his second year of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Professional Certificate Program.

The Dr. James R. Watson Jr. Memorial Turfgrass Award supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree in turfgrass science. Eligibility for this award includes students enrolled or planning to enroll in the College of Agricultural Sciences who have achieved exemplary academic success in a turfgrass degree or certification program. Half of the available income shall be awarded to a student in the 2- year Turfgrass Science and Management program and half of the available income shall be awarded to a student in the 4-year Turfgrass Science program. 

PTC donates $12,000 annually to the PA Turfgrass Council Turf Program Scholarship. These scholarships support undergraduate students pursuing a degree in turfgrass science at Penn State University. Half is awarded to undergraduate students in the 2-year Turfgrass Science and Management program and half is awarded to undergraduate students in the 4-year Turfgrass Science program.  

Congratulations to the Fall 2024 Recipients: Michael Chaloupka, Aidan Huedepohl, and Carter Marshall!

The football field at Westinghouse Academy in Pittsburgh was in bad shape. Its surface was as hard as a kitchen floor, riddled with divots that posed serious injury risks to the young athletes. But thanks to the dedicated efforts of Penn State Extension educators and their network, this field has been transformed into a safe facility that promises to be a game-changer for the community.

Click here to read the full article.

For over 25 years, the USGA Green Section has provided an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in an immersive internship experience. Many USGA Green Section interns have gone on to prominent careers as superintendents, professors and turf industry professionals. Manuel Salado, a student of Penn State's Golf Course Turfgrass Managment Program, has earned a 2024 internship. Click here to read more.

Check out this digital publication from Penn State Extension detailing pest and disease activity observed in June, 2024.

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

The Pennsylvania State FFA Activities week took place June 11-13, 2024 at Penn State University, University Park, PA. FFA is the premier youth organization preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture.

Since 1928, FFA has worked to create Career Development Events (CDE) & Leadership Development Events (LDE) that demonstrate the meaningful connections between classroom instruction and real-life scenarios. CDEs & LDE's build on what is learned in agricultural classes and the FFA.

A Turfgrass Science CDE was featured again as part of the 2024 FFA CDEs at Pennsylvania's state contest. Students competed in a multiple choice test, weed, insect, disease, equipment, and turfgrass identification, as well as spreader and sprayer calibration and site evaluation. The students also met with guest speakers from the golf, sports, and lawn and landscape sectors of the industry. The event culminated in a tour of Beaver Stadium.

We hope to continue to grow this event and make young people aware of the exciting opportunities available in the turfgrass industry.

The PTC awards scholarships to graduating Turfgrass Science students who have demonstrated excellent academic records during their Penn State career.

The spring 2024 scholarship was awarded to Chase Minnick. Chase is originally from Gillett, PA and is now working at Oakmont.

Please join us in congratulating Chase in his academic achievements.

The SFMA Student Challenge takes place annually at the SFMA Conference and Exhibition. Each year students from 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities across the country compete in an exam that challenges knowledge in the sports field industry. The winning teams receive a cash award, a plaque and medallions for each team member. The prize money benefits the institution’s turfgrass science program and creates opportunities for students pursuing a career in sports field management.

The 2024 SFMA Conference took place in Daytona Beach, FL from Jan. 22-25. The Student Challenge took place Wednesday, Jan. 24. Penn State was represented by two 4-year teams and one 2-year team, totalling 12 students. 

Congratulations to our 2-year team for placing 1st in the 2-year division! Team members included Simon Wattier, Camden Macek, Tyler Houghton, and Jake Gartley.

Congratulations to our 4-year team for placing 3rd in the 4-year division! Team members included Chase Minnick, Ryan Zolotsky, Dylan DeSchamp, and Aidan Huedepohl.

And congratulations to our second 4-year team - Ryan Daub, Kyler McGowan, Bill Hilderhoff, and Ian Bowes.

We are proud to have you representing Penn State and Pennsylvania's Turfgrass Industry!

The PTC awards its scholarship to graduating Turfgrass Science students who have demonstrated excellent academic records during their Penn State career. Jonathan Rankin and Zack Newsome are the Fall 2023 recipients of the PTC academic scholarships.

Jonathan Rankin is a native of Ligonier, PA. He has completed multiple internships during his time as a student including Muirfield Village Golf Club, Rolling Rock Club, Laurel Valley Golf Club, and Colonial Country Club in Texas, where he is currently employed while finishing his degree. His plans after graduation are to continue working at Colonial Country Club and to eventually move back north to the Pittsburgh area.

Zack Newsome is originally from Claymont, DE and is the student marshal for the College of Agricultural Sciences at the Fall 2023 Penn State commencement ceremonies.  During his time at Penn State, he has interned with the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew, Wilmington Country Club, and Oakmont Country Club.  He plans to attend graduate school after graduation.

Please join us in congratulating them on their academic accomplishments!

The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council's Dr. George W. Hamilton, Jr. Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have exhibited outstanding service to the turfgrass industry. The award is considered PTC’s highest individual honor and recipients are recognized by the membership in a formal ceremony at the Penn State Golf Turf Conference. The 2023 Award was presented to Jeff Borger.

Jeff 'Vern' Borger retired from Penn State University on August 31, 2023 after 33 years of employment. Jeff started his career in turfgrass science when his dear friend and neighbor, Dr. George Hamilton, convinced him to pursue a career in turf and become Dr. Tom Watschke's technician. It was George Hamilton that gave Jeff the nickname Vern. When Jeff began working for Penn State, George introduced him to everyone as Vern. During his career at PSU, Jeff earned a B.S. Degree in Turfgrass Science and an M.S. Degree in Agronomy. When Dr. Watschke retired, Jeff became the Assistant Teaching Professor in Turfgrass Weed Management. Jeff taught and did research for 18 years and became well known for the work he did. 

The PA Turfgrass Council thanks him for his help over the years. Jeff was in charge of the Western PA Conference education program for years, then also took over the education program for the Eastern Conference and Northeastern Conferences.

Jeff is very honored to receive the PA Turfgrass Council Distinguished Service Award named after Dr. George W. Hamilton, Jr. who got him started in the Turf Industry.

The PA Turfgrass Council wishes Jeff and his wife Kathy the best as he begins retirement.