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.

On August 1, 2023, Penn State hosted the Turf and Ornamental Field Day. Field Day is our chance to show you the results of turfgrass research designed for golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, and lawn care operators; and provide tours and hands-on demonstrations for landscapers, nursery operators, and others interested in ornamental horticulture.

Thank you to all of our speakers, sponsors, and suppliers that helped to make the day a success!

Featured topics and speakers:

• Precision Turf Sprayers – Reid Mitchell
• 2023 Granular Fertilizer Evaluation – M.J. Schlossberg, Ph.D.
• Dollar Spot Study on Bentgrass Fairway – Kabita Shah
• Non-Target Effects of Insect Growth Regulators on Soil Arthropods – Stokes Aker
• Insecticide Resistance of ABW – Garrett Price
• Effects of Soil Moisture on Annual Bluegrass Weevil Egg-Laying, Larvae Survival and Annual Bluegrass Preference – Rowda Altamimi
• Evaluation of Poa annua and Agrostis stolonifera Host Plant Defense Mechanisms in Response to Annual Bluegrass Weevil (Listronotus maculicollis) Herbivory – Audrey Simard
• Anthracnose Basal Rot Study on Annual Bluegrass Putting Green - John Kaminski, Ph.D.
• Machine Learning-Based Prediction Model for Brown Patch Disease – Fereshteh (Angel) Shahoveisi, Ph.D.
• Pythium Blight Study on Perennial Ryegrass - John Kaminski, Ph.D.
• Gray Leaf Spot Study on Perennial Ryegrass - John Kaminski, Ph.D.
• Dollar Spot Resistant Cultivars - John Kaminski, Ph.D.
• Autonomous Mowing Strategies to Reduce Dollar Spot - John Kaminski, Ph.D.
• Is Bermudagrass a Viable Turfgrass Species in PA? - Tanner Delvalle
• Sports Turf Evaluation - Warm & Cool Season Grasses – Tom Serensits
• Herbicides for Weed Control in Infrequently Mowed Fine Fescues - Peter Landschoot, Ph.D.
• White Grubs, Caterpillar, and Chinch Bug Update for Home Lawns and Sports Fields - Ben McGraw, Ph.D.
• Controlling Difficult Weeds – Tanner Delvalle
• Pre and Post Emergent Control of Crabgrass – Timothy Lulis 
• Post Emergent Control of Broadleaf Weeds – Timothy Lulis
• The Irrigation Audit: Our valuable tool for economical, sustainable, and environmentally friendly water use – Brad Jakubowski
• Personal Protective Equipment Review - Genevieve Christ

Thank you to all of our Field Day Sponsors!

Ceres Turf Inc.

Finch Turf

Genesis Turfgrass

Harrell’s

Lawn and Golf Supply Company, Inc. 

 Tiny Mobile Robots  

FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Each year, Penn State hosts FFA State Convention and Activities week for Pennsylvania high school students. This year, the event took place June 13-15. During this time, students compete in Leadership Development Events (LDEs) and Career Development Events (CDEs). The events are designed to help prepare students for careers in agriculture and beyond. Classroom instruction comes alive as students demonstrate their skills in a competitive setting. CDEs & LDE's test the abilities of individuals and teams in 23 major areas of agricultural instruction.

For the second year, turfgrass science was featured as a CDE event. Students competed individually or on teams to conduct a site evaluation, calibrate a fertilizer spreader, identify turfgrasses, weeds, insects, and diseases, interpret a pesticide label, and more! Following the event, students had the opportunity to get on the field at Beaver Stadium, tour Medlar Field, and learn how to paint a logo.

Congratulations to all of the student participants on a successful event! Taking first place as a team - Tulpehocken FFA, second place - Conrad Weiser FFA, and third place - Monroe Area AVTS FFA. Taking first place as an individual - Ethan Bretzius, second place - Hannah Vazquez Colon.

Special thanks goes to Tom Bettle and the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center Turf Team, Jon Seaman, Dr. Carson Letot, Chris Gawryla, and Matt Neri. This day would not have been possible without their help!

The PTC awards its scholarship to graduating Turfgrass Science students who have demonstrated excellent academic records during their Penn State career. Eric Dowd, Jesse Darlington III, and Nate Moore are the Spring 2023 recipients of the PTC academic scholarships.

Jesse Darlington III is a native of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. In addition to interning with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jesse has also worked at the Joseph Valentine Turfgrass Research Center on the University Park campus during his time as a student. He plans to attend graduate school.

Eric Dowd is from of Olympia, Washington and has interned with Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, and the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew at the University Park campus. After graduation, Eric plans to return to Washington and will be employed as an assistant superintendent at Salish Cliffs Golf Course in Shelton, WA.

Nate Moore is originally from Macungie, Pennsylvania.  He completed an internship with Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He also completed a summer internship with the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew with an emphasis on softball field maintenance. Nate also worked for the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew as a student employee for four years. He plans to work for the Reading Phillies after graduation.

Please join us in congratulating them on their academic accomplishments!