Penn State turfgrass science students succeed at two national competitions

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are starting the year out with wins at two turfgrass industry national competitions.

Students in the college’s four-year bachelor’s degree program in turfgrass science and two-year golf course turfgrass management program can compete against those from other universities in knowledge-based competitions. The competitions are held at the Sports Field Managers Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America annual conferences and trade shows.

For both events, teams of up to four undergraduates participate in exams that cover various aspects of turf management, including turfgrass identification, soil science, irrigation and pest management.

In January, five Penn State teams traveled to Palm Springs, California, for the Sports Field Managers Association Student Challenge. Dianne Petrunak, academic adviser for the turfgrass science major, noted that participation in the Student Challenge is important for many reasons. The conference includes educational sessions, a trade show, hands-on seminars and networking events for sports turf professionals.

During the contest, teams answer questions about turfgrass and sports field management. Questions cover subjects such as identifying turfgrass species, insects and diseases, baseball field dimensions, and irrigation system troubleshooting.

Two of Penn State’s teams took home the top prizes at the Student Challenge.

The first-place team comprised turfgrass science students Ryan Daub, Aidan Huedepohl, Joseph Lofland and Kyler McGowan. The second-place team included Ian Bowes, Wilson Kreitz, Carter Marshall and Ben Wagner. The remaining teams in the four-year program division placed 17th and 20th. One team from the two-year golf course turfgrass management program also placed fourth in its division and 15th overall.

In February, five Penn State teams attended the Golf Course Superintendents Association Collegiate Turf Bowl, sponsored by John Deere, in San Diego, California. The winning team — Daub, Huedepohl, Lofland and McGowan — received a traveling trophy and a $4,000 cash prize.

Ben McGraw, associate professor of turfgrass science, served as the team’s academic adviser. During his 11 years at the University, McGraw said the Penn State teams have won a combined 15 titles at the two competitions. He noted that this success speaks to the quality of students Penn State attracts, as well as the rigor and quality of the education provided.

“I’m so incredibly proud of all of the students who compete,” McGraw said. “It comes with hard work and sacrifice on their end. They spend extra time in the classroom and give up hours during the week studying everything related to turf. This effort doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m lucky and have the easy part of showing them the right direction and providing encouragement.”

The Golf Course Superintendents Association Collegiate Turf Bowl tests students’ knowledge and helps prepare them for their first professional positions as superintendents in the golf course industry. This year, 76 student teams from 29 colleges and universities participated. Students gained valuable real-world experience, and the top teams received a combined total of $10,000 in cash and prizes.

During the competition, teams are judged based on their overall industry knowledge and problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations through written case studies, multiple choice questions, visual identification and short answer portions to replicate the issues superintendents face daily. Topics covered include soils, pathology, entomology, irrigation and mathematics.

“Watching the next generation of golf industry professionals put their skills to the test is an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Manny Gan, global director of golf at John Deere. “Each year, Turf Bowl participants raise the bar, continually demonstrating the expertise needed to succeed in this field, and Penn State’s winning performance this year is a perfect example of that. Through our ongoing collaboration with the Golf Course Superintendents Association, we’re honored to empower future superintendents and golf professionals by equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed as they embark on successful careers in the golf industry.”