TTA Member Spotlig ht TTA Member Spotlight on
Frank Turner, Cochran Family McDonalds, Knoxville, TN
Job title: Landscape Supervisor Years in this position: 16 years Where did you attend college, and when did you graduate? University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1978 What was your major? My major was Turfgrass Management, although my diploma reads Bachelor of Science Agriculture. At the time, Turfgrass Management was in the department of Ornamental Horticulture and Landscape Design. How long have you been a member of TTA? After accepting my first golf course superintendent’s job at Graymere Country Club in Columbia (TN) in December 1980, I attended my first TTA conference in January 1981. I have not missed a conference since then.
What year did you get started in the turfgrass industry? My first summer job on a golf course was in 1973 at Bluegrass Country Club in Hendersonville.
have learned so much from the many people I have met over the years. I think this is the greatest attribute of working in the turf industry — we are willing to share our knowledge with others and help each other when we encounter problems.
What did you do before your current job position? 1978–1981 — Assistant Golf Course Superintendent, Capital City Country Club, Atlanta, GA 1981–1986 — Golf Course Superintendent, Graymere Country Club, Columbia, TN 1986–1998 — Golf Course Superintendent, Cherokee Country Club, Knoxville, TN
What do you enjoy most about your job? I love working outdoors. When I left the golf course business, I was fortunate and blessed to be hired by the Litton Cochran family in Knoxville. They are the owner/ operators of 27 McDonalds restaurants in and around Knoxville. They opened the first McDonalds in Knoxville in 1960 and, from the beginning, have placed an emphasis on quality landscaping.
Who have been your mentors in the industry? Certainly, Dr. Lloyd Callahan (University of Tennessee) was instrumental in my education and was my advisor during my years at UT. As far as others, I consider everyone in this industry my mentor. I
What have been your contributions to the industry? I remember being on the TTA board of directors in the early 1980s when we met with UT’s deans of the College of Agriculture for the very first time as an industry. We were trying to convince them that the
Left to right: Frank Turner with son Brock, son Robby, wife Judy and son John.
Brock and Frank Turner at the Augusta National Golf Club, where Brock volunteers each year for course preparation during the week of the Masters.
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS October/November 2014 Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com