Penn State students enrolled in the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program train and learn from some of the best superintendents in the industry at top courses across the globe. Past students within the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program have completed their on-the-job training at Augusta National Golf Club, Castle Pines Golf Club, Merion Golf Club, Oakmont Country Club, Baltusrol Golf Club and numerous other top ranked golf clubs in the World. While on-site, students gain valuable experience in the area of agronomics and management skills.
In our latest video, Penn State students talk about their internship experience. For more information on the six-month required internship for the 2-year program, visit the Internship Section.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Visiting Superintendents in Dallas
Scott Ebers, Colonial Country Club
My first trip took me to Colonial Country Club, home of the Crowne Plaza Invitational, and a visit with golf course superintendent Scott Ebers. Founded in 1936, I found Colonial Country Club to be rich in tradition. From an agronomic aspect, the course is unique in that it is one of a select few in the area that manages bentgrass putting greens. At this time of year, the bermudagrass fairways had finally gone dormant in the last few weeks and the greens were looking great. Scott took me around the course and showed me some of the latest renovations that were just completed. Most impressive to me were the bunkers! Also impressive inside the clubhouse was the Ben Hogan room, full of memorabilia from Hogans time at the course. They even had a Merion Golf Club wicker basket in the room.
Brannon Goodrich, Dallas National Golf Club
My second trip took me to a relatively new golf club in Dallas National. Constructed on some of the most undulating land in the region, Dallas National was impressive in every respect. A true golf club, the course opened about 8 years ago and is another one of the courses in the Dallas area maintaining bentgrass putting greens. In this case, they have a mixture of Cato/Crenshaw which holds up extremely well during the intense summer heat. Another unique aspect are the pure zoysiagrass fairways. Although dormant, you could see the uniformity of the stand. Most impressive at Dallas National...the practice facility. You could definitely get lost in all the different areas available for practicing and the interns have free reign to experiment with different management practices on the numerous putting greens throughout.
Overall, these two courses offer a unique and challenging experience for future interns. With both warm and cool-season turfgrasses, tournament preparation, and/or various construction projects, Dallas National and Colonial Country Club may serve as future internship sites for our students. A big thanks to Scott and Brannon for taking time out of their days to show me around the course and discuss potential internship opportunities for the Penn State students.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Semester Comes to an End
The 2-year turf students ended their semester in the past week and they are now off enjoying a brief period of rest prior to returning to Penn State on January 11th. During this time, I have been busy wrapping up research reports, editing manuscripts and putting the final touches on the classes for the spring.
My first fall semester of classes went better than expected and the summer preparation for classes definitely paid off. One new initiative that I had mentioned previously definitely turned out even better than I expected. This was the development of the Internship Preparation Class. The class was designed to help prepare students for all that is involved in their upcoming summer internships. The six month internship is one of the most important aspects of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program. This is the time where students take what they have learned from their first year of classes to the golf course. In my visits to students last summer, this was one area that most surprised them. I often heard that "the information obtained in class gave me a completely different perspective on being a turfgrass manager."
With the development of the internship prep class, students gained a better understanding of not only what is expected out of the internship, but the importance and amount of time necessary to prepare for every aspect. This meant that students spent hours writing and reviewing resumes, research golf courses that may be a good fit for them, and developing goals and objectives for what they plan to get out of the internship. One of the major successful aspects (at least in my opinion) was the self assessment of their experience and the researching of golf courses that would be a good fit. Students were required to narrow down their list of potential golf courses to three based on several things including:
In the meantime, I took the self-assessment survey and their own "five year career plan" and came up with a list of my own. Once compiled, I met with each student one-on-one and we shared lists; narrowing the list down to 2 courses that the students would apply to. By doing this, I felt that the students were able to systematically narrow down their list so that they were not sending out 10 standard resumes in hopes of fishing for an opportunity. The result? Most of the students had accepted excellent positions at golf courses throughout the country and those that had not made a decision prior to leaving campus had interviews arranged and should know soon.
Overall, this was a great semester and with a few minor adjustments to the internship prep class I hope that our students are among the most prepared students heading to their summer course. Keep an eye out for the "2010 Internship Location" early next semester outlining where the students will be working.
My first fall semester of classes went better than expected and the summer preparation for classes definitely paid off. One new initiative that I had mentioned previously definitely turned out even better than I expected. This was the development of the Internship Preparation Class. The class was designed to help prepare students for all that is involved in their upcoming summer internships. The six month internship is one of the most important aspects of the Golf Course Turfgrass Management Program. This is the time where students take what they have learned from their first year of classes to the golf course. In my visits to students last summer, this was one area that most surprised them. I often heard that "the information obtained in class gave me a completely different perspective on being a turfgrass manager."
With the development of the internship prep class, students gained a better understanding of not only what is expected out of the internship, but the importance and amount of time necessary to prepare for every aspect. This meant that students spent hours writing and reviewing resumes, research golf courses that may be a good fit for them, and developing goals and objectives for what they plan to get out of the internship. One of the major successful aspects (at least in my opinion) was the self assessment of their experience and the researching of golf courses that would be a good fit. Students were required to narrow down their list of potential golf courses to three based on several things including:
- geographic location
- turfgrass species
- potential projects they may work on (construction, etc)
- potential for volunteer opportunities at local events
- and various other things
In the meantime, I took the self-assessment survey and their own "five year career plan" and came up with a list of my own. Once compiled, I met with each student one-on-one and we shared lists; narrowing the list down to 2 courses that the students would apply to. By doing this, I felt that the students were able to systematically narrow down their list so that they were not sending out 10 standard resumes in hopes of fishing for an opportunity. The result? Most of the students had accepted excellent positions at golf courses throughout the country and those that had not made a decision prior to leaving campus had interviews arranged and should know soon.
Overall, this was a great semester and with a few minor adjustments to the internship prep class I hope that our students are among the most prepared students heading to their summer course. Keep an eye out for the "2010 Internship Location" early next semester outlining where the students will be working.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Daniel Ely Gross (Class of 1995) Passes
Daniel Ely Gross, 36, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 1. His spirit and legacy will live forever in those at the center of his world, wife Andrea (Ankeles) Gross and the joy of his life, son Carson, 2.
Dan lived for his family, believing "it was the little things he shared with them that made him realize how great life was." He possessed a rare commitment to his professional career, but his true devotion was to his family to whom he dedicated his time, boundless energy and unconditional love.
Dan was raised in North Lima, Ohio and attended South Range High School excelling in track and field. To date he still holds the school record in the high hurdles at 15.1 seconds; and throughout his high school career he achieved county and inter-county league record-setting times in both 110 and hurdles.A two-sport athlete, he also played football for the Raiders as both defensive back and wide receiver. Dan was honored to be inducted into the SRHS Hall of Fame in 1997.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Turf Grass Science at Penn State University, Dan reached so many of his goals in the years that followed. He was currently working as superintendent at the Salem Golf Club, his second home, and was a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Ohio Turf Foundation, and the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents' Association (NOGSA), serving as trustee since 2007.
To know Dan was to love him. His unwavering faith, courage of conviction and impeccable character made him a model for family, friends and colleagues alike. In addition to Andrea and Carson, missing him always are his mother, Sharon (Dan) Gross-Sparks; father David (Sally) Gross Sr.; brother David (Kate) Gross Jr.; grandmother Marjorie Ely; in-laws; and nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly but will be raised to know their cherished uncle in his absence. Dan was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather Charles Ely, and grandparents Walter and Virginia Gross.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Dec. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Rossi Bothers & Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman, and a funeral Mass will be celebrated at Dan's church home, St. Joseph the Provider in Campbell Monday morning at 10 a.m. preceded by prayers 9 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to an education fund, payable in the name of Dan's son, Carson Gross, at any area Home Savings & Loan location.
Original Posting
Dan lived for his family, believing "it was the little things he shared with them that made him realize how great life was." He possessed a rare commitment to his professional career, but his true devotion was to his family to whom he dedicated his time, boundless energy and unconditional love.
Dan was raised in North Lima, Ohio and attended South Range High School excelling in track and field. To date he still holds the school record in the high hurdles at 15.1 seconds; and throughout his high school career he achieved county and inter-county league record-setting times in both 110 and hurdles.A two-sport athlete, he also played football for the Raiders as both defensive back and wide receiver. Dan was honored to be inducted into the SRHS Hall of Fame in 1997.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Turf Grass Science at Penn State University, Dan reached so many of his goals in the years that followed. He was currently working as superintendent at the Salem Golf Club, his second home, and was a member of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Ohio Turf Foundation, and the Northern Ohio Golf Course Superintendents' Association (NOGSA), serving as trustee since 2007.
To know Dan was to love him. His unwavering faith, courage of conviction and impeccable character made him a model for family, friends and colleagues alike. In addition to Andrea and Carson, missing him always are his mother, Sharon (Dan) Gross-Sparks; father David (Sally) Gross Sr.; brother David (Kate) Gross Jr.; grandmother Marjorie Ely; in-laws; and nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly but will be raised to know their cherished uncle in his absence. Dan was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather Charles Ely, and grandparents Walter and Virginia Gross.
Calling hours will be Sunday, Dec. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Rossi Bothers & Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman, and a funeral Mass will be celebrated at Dan's church home, St. Joseph the Provider in Campbell Monday morning at 10 a.m. preceded by prayers 9 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to an education fund, payable in the name of Dan's son, Carson Gross, at any area Home Savings & Loan location.
Original Posting
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