Member Spotlight on
KENNY FRANKS SPORTS TURF MANAGER West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex City of Jackson, TN
We sat down with TTA member Kenny Franks to discuss his career, his advice for young turfgrass managers and his future plans.
How many years have you been in this position? I have been with the City of Jackson for 19 years. I was first put at the City Golf Course (Bent Tree) as the superintendent, the worst two-and-a-half years of my life (besides the ones with my ex-wife). Then the city leased out the course and then-Mayor Farmer put me over all the athletic fields for the City for about two years. In 2005, the City of Jackson built the 17-field Sportsplex where I became the Sports Turf Manager. How did you decide to pursue a career in turfgrass management? From my college baseball to coaching and being Parks & Recreation director in two municipalities, I spent a lot of time trying to improve the athletic fields. During this time, I also attended turf seminars which increased my interest and enjoyment in development of this career. Also when I worked for the City of Portland, TN, during my spare time, I went to Nashville, and helped Tom McAfee prepare the grounds for the Nashville Sounds.
AT RIGHT: West Tennessee Healthcare Sportsplex
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
