Tennessee Turfgrass - October / November 2021

OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TREES AND TURFS PLUS: MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON

JASON BRADLEY DON’T MISS THE 56TH ANNUAL TTA CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW JANUARY 10 – 12, 2022

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The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

TABLE OF CONTENTS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

14 22 34 38 42

Upcoming Event — 56th Annual TTA Conference

Cover Story — Trees and Turfs

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Member Spotlight — Jason Bradley Feature — It’s a Long Term Impact: Teaching for Future Success and Impact Professional Development — Let’s Make Work Easier

DEPARTMENTS From the TTA President

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From the MAGCSA President

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The Turfgrass Team at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

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Updates from #TNTurfTwitter

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Calendar of Events

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Index of Advertisers

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Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021

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31°28’36.5” N x 83°31’33.3” W

Marks the Spot

UGA Tifton, GA

FROM THE TTA PR ESIDENT

Doug Ward

LOOKING AHEAD W

ith fall definitely in the air and turf management details on a slightly different perspective many of us shift our focus to seasonal housework and projects, while ultimately looking ahead to next year’s agenda.

Likewise, the months ahead typically afford us the time to take advantage of educational opportunities provided by various industry associates and product manufacturers.

Certainly, our own TTA Conference and Show is one of the best values to be taken advantage of. As mentioned in our last issue, several exciting tweaks and improvements have been crafted into this year’s event.

With the fact that we will be returning to our traditional “in person” format for 2022, I am confident that everyone will be provided with a fresh and rewarding educational experience and professional gathering.

So please, make it a priority to put this event on your calendar and make plans to take advantage of everything this year’s program has to offer.

Lastly, I would like to close with two words of encouragement: • We are always glad to hear from members that are willing to serve on our Board of Directors.

If you or anyone you know is interested in serving our association, please bring that to the attention of our Executive Secretary, Melissa Martin, or one of our Board Members. It is a great way to give back to our association.

• As your plans are formed for this year’s TTA Conference, I would like to encourage everyone to register as soon as possible to assist our staff with logistics and conference services.

It’s a small thing, but it will help in a big way!!!

Wishing everyone a pleasant fall season and hope to see you in January.

Doug Ward TTA President

The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association

Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 928-7001 info@ttaonline.org www.ttaonline.org PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club (615) 292-6752 Vice President Chris Sykes Tellico Village (865) 458-5408 Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Storey Vanderbilt University (615) 343-6694 Past President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc (731) 642-3092 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn.

(615) 928-7001 TTA 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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Ryan Blair, CGCS Jason Bradley Bart Cash Ashley Gaskin Cal Hill Jeff Huber Brad Jean Jeff Kuhns Jason Sanderson Mark Stovall John Wagnon Jeff Wyatt TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Joe Hill Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten

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FROM THE MAGCSA PRESIDENT

Andrew Foster

STOP AND SMELL THE GRASS It’s

that time of the year we start looking for the grass to go dormant. Don’t wish the warm weather away so fast just yet. Remember it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day maintenance and one project bleeds into another, before you know its November. Take the time to look at all that you have accomplished this season. For us in the Memphis area we won’t smell that sweet grass cut smell for about 4 months. It’s a good time of year that the grass is still green but not growing near as much and the leaves are not dropping full force just yet so that you get a little breather.

Don’t forget to thank everyone that has made it possible. It was a long summer, and a lot of hours went in to make it happen. It was a team effort. I’m not talking about just your crew; I’m talking about all departments. I have worked and visited clubs that have almost a rivalry between the maintenance department and the clubhouse/pro shop. You must realize that we are a team and all

DAILY REGIONAL DELIVERY

trying to accomplish the same goal to have a thriving club. Yes, they must book rounds and yes you must do cultural practices.

Take the time to sit down together come up with a compromised plan and figure it out. It’s that easy.

After the recent shooting in Collierville at a grocery store, it makes you sit back and think how short life is and how much shorter it could be. Take time to thank those around you and let them know they are appreciated. Don’t sweat the small stuff and have great communication with your coworkers. Take the extra time to stop and smell the grass that you and your crew worked hard to maintain because like this article, life is short but sweet.

I hope you took the time and enjoyed the fruits of your labor.

Andrew Foster MAGCSA President

The Southeast’s

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Blue Tag Certified Grasses ••• Over 2,500 Acres in Production

THE TURFGRA SS TEAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE

José Javier Vargas Almodóvar Research Associate II Turf & Ornamental Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-7379 jvargas@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @UTweedwhisperer

Jim Brosnan, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Weed Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-8603 jbrosnan@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @ UTturfweeds

Frank Hale, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 fahale@utk.edu ag.tennessee.edu/spp

Tom Samples, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Extension The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-2595 tsamples@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ tnturfman

John Stier, Ph.D. Associate Dean The University of Tennessee 2621 Morgan Circle 126 Morgan Hall Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7493 jstier1@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ Drjohnstier

Greg Breeden Extension Specialist, The University of Tennessee 2431 Center Drive 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7208 gbreeden@utk.edu tnturfgrassweeds.org @gbreeden1

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. Associate Director, Center for Athletic Field Safety Turfgrass Management & Physiology (865) 974-6730 kdickso1@utk.edu @ DicksonTurf

Brandon Horvath, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 252 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

2431 Joe Johnson Drive Knoxville, TN 37996 (865) 974-2975 bhorvath@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ UTturfpath

John Sorochan, Ph.D. Professor, Turfgrass Science The University of Tennessee 2431 Joe Johnson Drive 363 Ellington Plant Sci. Bldg.

Knoxville, TN 37996-4561 (865) 974-7324 sorochan@utk.edu turf.utk.edu @ sorochan

Alan Windham, Ph.D. Professor, Entomology and Plant Pathology The University of Tennessee 5201 Marchant Drive Nashville, TN 37211-5201 (615) 832-6802 https://ag.tennessee.edu/spp/ @ UTPlantDoc

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#TNTURFTWITTER

TENNESSEE

TURF

TWITTER IF YOU’RE NOT FOLLOWING ALL THE UP-TO-THE-MINUTE NEWS ON TWITTER, YOU MAY BE MISSING OUT ON SOME GREAT INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES. FROM EVENT UPDATES TO JOB LISTINGS TO NETWORKING, TWITTER IS A GREAT WAY TO STAY CONNECTED. 10

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

56TH ANNUAL TTA CONFERENCE and Trade Show January 10 – 12, 2022 Murfreesboro, TN

STMA CONFERENCE AND TRADE SHOW January 17 – 20, 2022 Savannah, GA https://www.stma.org

GCSAA CONFERENCE February 9 – 10, 2022 San Diego, CA

TifTuf® Bermuda, HGT Bluegrass, Turf-Type Tall Fescues and Zeon® Zoysia BRAD JEAN, OWNER 166 Lester Limbaugh Lane • Belvedere, TN 37306 Cell: 931-703-9758 • Phone: 931-962-3481 CHRIS HAYES, MANAGER 6121 New Hope Road • Sweetwater, TN Cell: 423-506-0019 • Phone: 423-337-0777 MEMBER

TURFGRASS PRODUCERS

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INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE February 14 – 17, 2022 San Diego, CA

Andy Rushing arushing@cgcfields.com Phone: (704) 634-9799 Toll Free – Office: (866) 753-1707

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DON’T MISS

56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW JANUARY 10 – 12, 2022 • EMBASSY SUITES • MURFREESBORO, TN

S

ince 1965, the Tennessee Turfgrass Association has held strong to its core mission: To promote the turfgrass industry through education, scholarship and research. We invite you to join us at this year’s conference and trade show at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro. This year’s conference features an excellent education program and an expanded tradeshow floor, plus our annual awards recognitions with keynote speaker Rodney Smith, Jr! This is a conference you will not want to miss!

RE G I S T R A T I O N Please complete the registration form on page 18 and return it along with a check for all fees payable to The Tennessee Turfgrass Association. Additional copies of the form may be made as needed.

Members are encouraged to email a copy of the registration form to The TTA and then mail the original with a check. Please keep a copy of the completed registration form for your confirmation.

Everyone is encouraged to register early.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE PESTICIDE SESSION JANUARY 12, 2021

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Embassy Suites 1200 Conference Center Blvd Murfreesboro, TN 37129

You must pre-register for this session.

The last day to register will be on December 10.

FIND REGISTRATION INFORMATION AT

https://ttaonline.org/event-4473296

HOTEL RESERVATIONS The TTA has reserved a block of rooms at The Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro, TN until December 3. After December 3, reservations will be subject to availability and regular rates. The room rate is $164. Please call 615-890-4464 and reference the Tennessee Turfgrass Association room block to get the group rate or use the group code TRF. To book your room online, click here.

Learn all you need for the Category 3 exam required to be a certified applicator in TN. At the end of the session, all individuals have the opportunity to take the exam.

LOCATION

The registration fees for this session are $175. These fees include instruction, materials, lunch and the exam.

The Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro is located at 1200 Conference Center Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. From I-24 East or West take exit 76 Medical Center Parkway. Head north on Medical Center Parkway, hotel is located on the right. It is located 29 miles (35 minutes) from the Nashville airport (BNA).

You may reach the hotel by calling 615-890-4464.

REGISTRATION FEES

REGISTRATION Please complete the registration form on page 18 and return it along with a check for all fees payable to The Tennessee Turfgrass Association. You can also pay online. You must pre-register for this session no later than December 10.

PESTICIDE POINTS Applications for pesticide points have been submitted to Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Mississippi.

MORE INFORMATION For more information, call The Association office at 615-928-7001, email info@ttaonline.org.

GCSAA CONTINUING EDUCATION This program has been submitted for GCSAA continuing education.

MORE INFORMATION For more information, call The Association office at 615-928-7001, email info@ttaonline.org.

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Don’t miss your opportunity to exhibit your products and services at the trade show.

Complete the form on page 20 and return to TTA!

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

56TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW JANUARY 10 – 12, 2022 • EMBASSY SUITES • MURFREESBORO, TN CONFERENCE SCHEDULE MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 TIME

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2022 T IME

8:00 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks Doug Ward, TTA President

8:15 – 9:00AM

TBD George Toma (via Zoom)

9:00 – 10:00 AM

World Golf Championships Come to TN Nick Bisanz, TPC Southwind

10:00 – 10:15 AM

BREAK

8:00 – 8:45 AM

Golf Turf

State of the Game in the Tri-Star Darren Reese / Chad Anderson

Sports Turf

TBD Nicole Sherry, Baltimore Orioles

It’s Good to Be in the Tennessee Green Industry Dr. Ashley Stokes – Dean, University of Tennessee Extension

10:15 – 11:00 AM

Dr. Hongwei Xin – Dean, University of Tennessee AgResearch

What Goes Into Getting a Field Painted for TV? Bryan Ogle, UT Racetrack?

Dr. Caula Beyl – Dean, Herbert College of Agriculture UTK North: Valhalla Country Club Preparing for the PGA 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

12:00 – 1:30 PM

John Ballard, CGCS Valhalla Country Club

Phil Vineyard Valhalla Country Club

Amanda Potter Valhalla Country Club

Jeremiah Barker Valhalla Country Club

8:45 AM

TTA Awards Luncheon and Annual Business Meeting Back to School: Deep Dives into Turfgrass Science

TBD Tyler Rae, GCA Tyler Rae Design

So You’re Interested in Zoysiagrass Greens 1:30 – 3:15 PM

All You Ever Wanted to Know about GDD

John Sorochan, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

Bill Kreuser, Ph.D. GreenKeeper

Tyler Carr University of Tennessee

9:45 AM

BREAK

3:30 – 5:00 PM

5:15 – 6:00 PM

Poa365: A Deep Dive into Turf’s Most Interesting Weed

New Weapons for Warm Season Diseases

Jim Brosnan, PhD University of Tennessee

Brandon Horvath, PhD University of Tennessee

Devon Carroll University of Tennessee

David McCall, PhD Virginia Tech

TGCSA Annual Meeting

TVSTMA Annual Meeting

Professional Development

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Can You Get Our Attention?

Kraig Kann Kann Advisory Group

Equipment Managers Workshop

Veda Pugh Seasonal Harvesters

Ryan Erickson Brentwood CC

Casey Reynolds, Ph.D. Executive Director, Turfgrass Producers International

Training for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Pesticide Certification Exam

Chris Pinkston Troubador Golf & Field Club Andy Gasparini Belle Meade Country Club Tom Alexander Precision Reels

Sod Production Roundtable

Learn all you need for the Category 3 and Category 7 Exams required to be a certified application in TN Dr. Darrell Hensley University of Tennessee

John Sorochan, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

10:30 – 11:30 AM

Resurrecting The Lido Jimmy Humston The Lido

TBD Nicole Sherry, Baltimore Orioles

Hands-on Workshop What’s in the Bag? A Review of Fertilizers and How to Apply Them Correctly

11:30 AM

LUNCH

Tom Samples, Ph.D. University of Tennessee Brad Jakabowski, Penn State University

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Lunch and Fun on the Trade Show Floor

6:00 – 9:00 PM

Top Golf Event Transportation Provided

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Pesticide Certification

Alan Ferguson FIFA via Zoom

TUESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2022 TIME

Sod Producers

Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. University of Tennessee

David Doguet, Ph.D. Bladerunner Farms 3:15 – 3:30 PM

Preparing for the 2026 World Cup: UT Turfgrass Leading the Way

Work shop

12:30 – 3:00 PM

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

ADJOURN

Take the Exam to Become a Certified Applications in TN Dr. Darrell Hensley University of TN

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

The World’s #1 Zoysiagrass

www.THETURFGRASSGROUP.com

Conference & Tradeshow

52nd Annual

January 10—12, 2022 Embassy Suites Hotel Murfreesboro, TN

CONTACT INFORMATION Company Name _________________________________________________________________________________________________

Representative to Contact: ________________________________________________________________________________________ Mailing Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Phone_______________________________ Email _____________________________________________________________________

Submission of this registration form to the Tennessee Turfgrass Association constitutes your commitment to serve as an exhibitor and your agreement to pay exhibitor fee.

Level of Sponsorship

Badge Name

Diamond Platinum $6000 $3500

Gold $2500

Booth $700

Silver $1500

Bronze Top Golf $1000 $1250

Total

1.

2.

$100

$100

$100

3.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

4.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

5.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

6.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

7.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

8.

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

$100

Amount of Sponsorship Total Amount Due FIRST CHOICE

SECOND CHOICE

THIRD CHOICE

Booth Preference Please provide a brief description of the products/services you sell or provide:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please complete this form and mail with payment to: Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069 | 615-928-7001 | info@ttaonline.org

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

COVER STORY

TREES TURFS and

Larry Tankersley, Extension Forester, University of Tennessee Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries and Tom Samples, Ph.D., Turfgrass Science and Management, University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences

T

rees and turfgrasses share the same basic requirements in order to live. Both capture energy from sunlight in order to produce carbon-containing substances that are used immediately to support growth, or can be stored in reserve. Photosynthesis, the combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of light results in the formation of glucose and other sugars. Atmospheric carbon dioxide is also the source of carbon in amino acids, proteins, starch and cell walls.

Trees and turfgrasses have vascular systems (xylem and phloem), and rely on water for oxygen and hydrogen, and to move essential nutrients absorbed from the soil to leaves, and sugars produced in the leaves to roots. Fourteen mineral nutrients are essential for their survival and reproduction. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur are classified as macronutrients due to the quantity of each that is required. Due to the very small amount (usually 100 ppm or less) of each found in plant tissue, the remaining eight essential minerals, chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum and nickel, are referred to as micronutrients.

22

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

GROWERS OF TURF TYPE TALL FESCUE

EL TORO ZOYSIA

VOLUNTEER ZOYSIA

MEYER ZOYSIA

IRON CUTTER

Call Palmer’s Turf Farm @ (423) 949-6255 PALMER’S TURF FARM • 1109 OLD YORK HWY EAST • DUNLAP, TN 37327

WWW.PALMERSTURF.COM

COVER STORY Local air temperatures, annual rainfall amounts, and soil texture and fertility levels often determine if a particular species or variety of turfgrass or tree will thrive in the landscape. Although trees and turfgrasses growing in close proximity to each other must share resources (Table 1), this does not necessarily mean that they cannot co-exist. Successful management strategies assure that the fundamental requirements of both trees and turfgrasses are being met every year, even though growing conditions for each may be less than ideal.

Light Intensity, Quality and Duration. The rate at which photo-

synthesis takes place within a tree or turfgrass usually increases with increasing light intensity. Light intensity is described as the amount of energy, or ‘packets’ of light referred to as photons, hitting the surface of a leaf over some time period. Light stimulates stomates to open. As a result, high light intensities are usually associated with high water transpiration rates. Only an estimated one to two percent of the solar radiation a turfgrass is receiving is absorbed and converted to chemical energy. Most of this absorbed energy is reradiated at much longer wavelengths, resulting in the release of heat. Turfgrass leaves with a horizontal orientation are more efficient absorbers of solar radiation compared to those growing more upright. The surfaces of turfgrass leaves may also

reflect solar radiation. Dull and dry leaves are usually less reflective than glossy or wet leaves. Turfgrass leaves may also transmit solar radiation that may be absorbed by other leaves.

In his book “Turfgrass Science and Culture” published in 1973, Michigan State University researcher and author, Dr. James Beard, reported that an estimated 20 to 25% of maintained turfs were receiving some level of shade from trees, shrubs or buildings. The canopy height of bermudagrass plants growing under low light intensities (less than 70 percent full sunlight) often increases by more than 100 percent compared to that of plants receiving full sunlight. Leaf elongation is often about 35 percent higher when cool-season turfgrasses are growing on sites with limited light intensity compared to the same species in full sun. This is believed to be the result of shaded turfgrasses producing more of the plant growth hormone, gibberellic acid. The root-shoot ratio of turfgrasses tends to decrease as the level of shade increases, and less energy reaches the roots. The cuticle, the protective, waxy surface layer of a leaf, often thins as the level of shade increases. This may cause shaded turfgrasses to be more susceptible to injury from drought, freezing temperatures, diseases and insects. Since air movement among plants is often restricted, turfgrasses managed in shade often take longer to dry after rain or irrigation.

TABLE 1. Fundamental Requirements of Trees and Turfgrasses.

SHARED RESOURCES:

Physical space, especially below ground

Clean air, especially oxygen and carbon dioxide, free of toxins, above and below ground Sunlight, both enough (duration and intensity) and of the appropriate wavelengths (quality)

Water, the right amount delivered on time

Seventeen essential nutrients – carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from air and water, and 14 mineral nutrients supplied by the soil Minimum and maximum air and soil temperatures appropriate for growth and survival of both trees and turfgrasses

24

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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Middle Tennessee jeffeasley@bwicompanies.com 615-585-1522

COVER STORY In addition to the intensity of light, the overall health and performance of turfs under trees also depends on the quality of light they receive. Photosynthesis cannot occur without an appropriate amount of light of specific wavelengths. The quality of light reaching turfgrasses shaded by trees is often restricted. That is, a portion of the photosynthetically active radiation, or PAR (visible light wavelengths from 380 to 700 nanometers), has been intercepted and filtered by the tree canopy before reaching the leaves of turfgrasses.

As sunlight reaches a tree’s canopy, it is 1) absorbed by the leaves and used for photosynthesis, 2) reflected back into the atmosphere or 3) transmitted to plants (turfgrass) below. Transmitted light is less intense and certain wavelengths, especially visible light important for photosynthesis, are filtered by tree leaves. When the tree canopy provides solid shading, turfgrasses receive only indirect light, totally depleted of many of the wavelengths that result in healthy growth. Absorption, reflection and transmittance of light as it passes through a cottonwood (Populus deltoids) tree leaf are presented in Figure 1. Notice that the dotted line or light transmitted below the tree crown, is very low. An alteration of the light spectrum directly affects turfgrass growth. Silicon photovoltaic sensors are used to estimate PAR, while other sensors predict the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of the PAR. The PPFD is the amount of photosynthetically active photons that are hitting the leaf surface per unit area per unit time. The PPFD is reported

as micromoles of photons per square meter per second. These sensors are commonly used by growers to monitor and manage supplemental lighting in greenhouse plant production systems.

The intensity, photosynthetic activity and duration of light that a turf shaded by trees receives is influenced by its location in the landscape, and the size, form and species of trees. The level of shade in areas of a landscape receiving only four to six hours of direct daily sun is considered medium. Dense or ‘heavy’ shade is cast by trees with very dense canopies. Due to their ‘open’ form, pines (Pinus spp.) tend to allow more light to reach the turf surface than shade-tolerant, deciduous trees with ‘thick’ canopies, such as oaks (Quercus spp.), sycamores (Platanus spp.) and maples (Acer spp.).

The time of day that the turf receives direct sunlight also deserves consideration. The ideal time for a turfgrass to be in direct sunlight depends on the optimum temperatures for photosynthesis for the species being managed. More specifically, turf health and performance are dependent on the length of time that plants receive light within the PAR region at an air temperature at or near the optimum for photosynthesis. For example, during hot, dry periods in the summer, cool-season turfgrasses maintained with no irrigation and in areas of the landscape receiving moving shade, most often perform better when shaded in the afternoon, rather than in the morning.

FIGURE 1. Percentage of wavelength absorbed, reflected and transmitted through cottonwood leaves. (Adapted from Gates, David, “Energy exchange between organism and environment,” in Biometeorology, (1968, Oregon State University Press).

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COVER STORY The Turfgrasses. Shade tolerance varies among cool- and warm-

season turfgrass species, and varieties within species. The relative shade tolerance of chewings, strong creeping red, hard and sheep fescues is high. Yet, the performance of these cool-season turfgrasses in shade is limited by a general lack of heat tolerance.

Perennial ryegrass and Kentucky bluegrass rank low to medium in shade tolerance while tall fescue, the predominant cool-season turfgrass species in Tennessee, generally ranks medium in shade tolerance. Ranking of shade tolerance among warm-season turfgrasses is bermudagrass < centipedegrass and zoysiagrass < St. Augustinegrass. The adaptation of St. Augustinegrass in Tennessee is limited by a lack of cold tolerance. Although, as a species, bermudagrass ranks low in shade tolerance, the variety TifGrand® has demonstrated improved shade tolerance compared to several other sterile hybrid (Cynodon transvaalensis x Cynodon dactylon) varieties. Similarly, several newer, vegetative, clonal-type zoysiagrasses (Zoysia spp.) including ‘Diamond’ (Z. matrella), ‘El Toro (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Geo’ (Z. japonica x Z. pacifica), ‘Palisades’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Royal’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella), ‘Zeon’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella) and ‘Zorro’ (Z. japonica x Z. matrella) have improved shade tolerance compared to ‘Meyer’. Meyer, a variety of Zoysia japonica with good cold tolerance, was released in 1951, and is still being maintained in landscapes throughout the state.

The Shaded Turfgrass Microenvironment. Shading impacts

the turfgrass microenvironment in several ways. Daily and seasonal fluctuations in the air temperature of the microenvironment are often reduced.

In the top several inches of soil, trees and turfgrasses compete for water. The first plant species established is generally the most successful absorbing water from the soil since it is the first to occupy limited growing space. A large tree with a well-established root system can often absorb water much better than a recently installed sod. Likewise, established turf will compete very effectively with a recently transplanted tree for available water.

Tree roots are opportunistic and spread well beyond the width of the crown, wherever conditions favor growth and adequate oxygen is present in soils (Figure 2). This is generally in the top one foot of soils. Some tree roots will penetrate the soil to greater depths, depending on the soil texture and bulk density. The majority of tree roots are located in the top few inches of soil. Many fine “absorbing” roots actually grow into mulch or thin turfs. As with turfgrasses, tree roots are often denser on the north (shaded) side of the tree where shade discourages rapid soil drying.

Relative humidity and carbon dioxide levels within a shaded microenvironment are generally higher, and air flow within the turfgrass canopy is often restricted, compared to those in ‘open’ areas of the landscape. When the relative humidity remains high for extended periods of time, and air flow among plants is severely restricted, turfs are generally more susceptible to disease. Due, in part, to a lack of sugars and starches, shaded turfgrasses are often less durable, and may be very slow to recover from injury.

Improving Turfgrass Performance in Shade. An annual review of the landscape management plan followed by adjustments in both tree and turf care can result in better turf quality.

FIGURE 2. Tree roots spread well beyond the width of the crown. Note the common terms used when discussing tree root characteristics, and how the tree’s feeder roots comingle with those of the turfgrasses. Turf management practices and surface activities will affect the tree roots in this profile.

28

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COVER STORY Managing The Trees. The quality and intensity of light reaching

turf below isolated trees may be improved with creative pruning (Figure 3). Generally, at least two-thirds of the tree’s total height should contain live branches. Regular pruning of the lower third,

and removing drooping branches, is highly recommended to allow sunlight to the turf below. Crown thinning can also be helpful to reduce the crown density and leaf area of the tree allowing more sunlight to move further through the crown (Figure 4).

FIGURE 3 Pruning a tree can allow more light to reach the turf. Crown raising, as shown, is relatively easily done. It is best to start pruning early in the life of the tree, with regular removals until the tree reaches the desired height to develop on its own.

FIGURE 4 Pruning, shown here, thins excessive branching within the tree crown allowing more sun to stream through the crown to turfgrasses below.

30

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COVER STORY Another consideration is to plant trees that “naturally” allow more sunlight to pass through. For example, research indicates that maple and black walnut restrict far more radiation than honey locust (Table 2). Trees can also be selected based on shape to reduce the number of drooping branches that intercept light at lower angles. Without maintenance, most of our common trees restrict enough sunlight to stress all but the most shade-tolerant turfgrasses.

Instances where tree cover is multi-layered, as in a forest, may preclude the use of any turfgrasses.

3. Soil test. Timely fertilization and liming based on soil test

results will help ensure appropriate soil fertility and pH levels, without creating overly succulent leaf tissue or causing an excessive rate of growth. Nitrogen should be applied judiciously, for example, at a rate no more than two-thirds the amount used to fertilize turf in full sun.

4. Irrigation. Regular, deep watering is very important for successful

1. Select, establish and maintain shade-tolerant turfgrasses. Use only those turfgrass species and varieties adapted to the level of shade encountered.

tree and turf management. Transpiration and evaporation from leaf surfaces of actively growing established trees and turfgrasses may reach 1½ inches or more of water a week. If irrigation is an option, shaded turfs should be watered infrequently and deeply (e.g. to a 6-inch soil depth). Recently transplanted trees or turfgrass will need supplemental water, at least until an adequate root system develops. For large, transplanted trees this may be necessary for several growing seasons.

2. Cutting height. Raise the cutting height within the optimum

5. Aerification and dethatching. Coring (core aerification) to a

Managing The Turfgrasses. Management considerations for

turfs in shade include:

soil depth of 1½ to 2 inches, and dethatching shaded turfs on an as-needed basis during the growing season usually improves the movement of air, water and nutrients into soil without severely damaging tree roots.

range when mowing. For fine fescues, this height is from 2 to 2½ inches or more. The increased leaf surface will provide greater potential for light absorption by turfgrasses and increased carbohydrate production.

TABLE 2. Radiation transmitted by selected tree species.

Tree Species

Genus

Transmitted Radiation a

Hackberry

Celtis

Low b

Black walnut

Juglans

Low

London plane/Sycamore

Platanus

Low

Yellow poplar

Liriodendron

Low

Sugar maple

Acer

Low

White oak

Quercus

Medium

Northern red oak

Quercus

Medium

Shagbark hickory

Carya

Medium

Honey locust

Gleditsia

High

aR esearch supported ranking (McPherson, E.G. 1984. Planting design for solar control. In McPhearson, E.D. (ed.)

Energy- conserving Site Design. American Society of Landscape Architects. Washington, D.C. bL ow transmitted radiation = less light intensity; Medium transmitted radiation = intermediate light intensity; High transmitted radiation = more light intensity.

32

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6. Inter-seeding. Annual inter-seeding

may be necessary to maintain turfgrass stand density in shade. Remove or recycle fallen tree leaves and pine needles as soon as possible to reduce the amount of time light is excluded from turfgrasses.

7. Fungicide(s). Fungicides can be applied as preventative or curative treatments.

Powdery mildew and pink snow mold are often more common in shaded turfs.

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8. Plant growth regulators (PGRs).

Research has shown that some turfgrass species, especially those with marginal shade tolerance, may maintain better overall quality in shade when routinely treated with PGRs.

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9. Limiting traffic. Minimize foot, turf maintenance equipment and vehicle traffic to reduce turfgrass wear injury and soil compaction.

Trees and turf can be managed successfully on the same site as long as managers understand the needs of both types of plants, and their interactions when growing together.

CENTIPEDE

RE FE RE N C E S

TIFWAY 419

Anonymous (Fondriest Staff). 2010.

What is Photosynthetically Active Radiation? Aug. 12. Environmental Monitor. Fondriest Environmental, Inc. https://www.fondriest.com/news/ photosyntheticradiation.htm

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34

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

How did you get into the turfgrass industry and end up where you are today?

I always loved the game of golf. My dad got me started super early, I started playing when I was first able to walk, basically. He put a club in my hand, and I grew up playing golf. Some of my fondest memories are going to the golf course with my dad at six o’clock in the morning on Saturday and Sunday, play golf at six, then be home by eleven o’clock, start the day. I was always around the golf course, and I came across an article in high school that college in SUNY Delhi was offering a class in turf management and I thought it would be interesting so I looked into that. I signed up, they accepted me and I started my turfgrass voyage, if you will. So I’ve been in the business now for over 25 years. I started back in 1996.

Where did you go from there – how did your path bring you to where you are now?

I grew up in Buffalo, New York. Actually a little city called Dunkirk, which is 40 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York. The winters there are pretty harsh, so it’s a six-month work window there in west New York. I had some relatives out in Las Vegas, so when I graduated college, I decided to go try to work in Las Vegas. I worked there for about a year, got kind of bored of it because it is literally just Vegas, there’s nothing else really around, except for casinos and golf courses.

Then I moved back home for six months. I had some family in the Carolinas, Greensboro, and I went down there for a weekend looking for a job, and a friend from back home called me and said that he heard that I was in the area, he happened to be in Charlotte, North Carolina and I went down there to visit him and they hired me on the spot as a second assistant superintendent, making nine dollars an hour, which at the time to me was an insane amount of money. I worked at Highland Creek as my first assistant job for about two years and eventually got picked up at Charlotte Country Club, where I spent ten years as senior assistant superintendent.

I eventually moved on to River Hills Country Club, which was my first golf course superintendent job. I worked there for five years, and then interviewed here at Memphis Country Club and I’ve been here, starting my sixth year right now.

From those previous locations, and now that you are entrenched in Tennessee living there in Memphis, what has been a unique challenge of managing turfgrass where you are right now?

The weather. I thought it was going to parallel the Charlotte market, but it does not. The weather is just brutal. The summers, the humidity are just brutal, the heat. Then the winter – you’ve got some cold nights here. And then the rain, I did not expect all this rain. I think one year we had 78 inches, something like that. The winter months, we try to do a lot of project work. Cutting trees down, sod work, cart path repair… you struggle to get anything done because it’s either too wet or everything’s frozen. It’s tough, so the weather was my biggest shock moving here.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

35

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve had, not just there in Memphis, but in the turfgrass industry in general?

I would have to say it varies—I can’t believe I’m getting ready to say this – by decade almost. Originally, it was finding a job when I first started. It was breaking into being an assistant. I think colleges were churning kids out at the time and we had a hard time just finding an assistant’s position. So my first few years, it was just landing that assistant’s position. After that it was trying to grapple with member expectations – being a young assistant, learning to deal with all that… I don’t want to say heat, but the noise coming from members or guests. Highland Creek, my first course, was a public course, so you’d hear a lot of vocal opinions from the guests. You’d have to kind of dig through that feedback to find out what were the real issues out there.

When I was an assistant, I was an assistant for ten years. Not by choice, because we couldn’t find a superintendent position at the time. Even in the Carolinas – it’s very competitive, there’s golf courses that have assistants ten deep right now in the Carolinas just because the market is very tight right now. So breaking into that superintendent role was pretty difficult. And right now, it’s the labor. The labor market is just terrible. We raised our rate of pay up, and we still are not competitive with the housing market, the construction, the landscapers, the roofers.

We cannot pay competitive with that, not to mention Memphis being a hub for Nike, FedEx, you name it, with all these warehouses… they’re paying warehouse workers in some instances $20 an hour to work in the air conditioning. So we’re paying what we’re paying, it’s tough to compete with that, especially when you’re outside, sometimes in the rain, sometimes in 100 degree heat, nobody really wants to do that right now.

How do you adjust operations when there is such a struggle?

We’ve got a core staff that have really stuck with us, so I’ve got a base of assistants that have been here. For instance, my one assistant, Mario, has been here almost 30 years now. So he knows this property better than anybody. I’ve got another, younger gentleman that’s been with us two years and we sit down, we plan every day out. Whether the day before and then I call him up on my ride to work and I say, “Hey, what are we going to do today? Has anybody called you, is anybody sick, have they texted you?” Because half the time, it’s dealing with, “Hey, I’m not going to make it.” So we plan the schedule out the day before and we know what we need to get done each week and we’ve got ways around that. We can’t walk mow greens every day like we used to. So some days we’re triplexing, some days we might have to skip raking bunkers to get other projects done. So it’s just structuring your day and taking the time out to plan well in advance of what obstacles you might run into.

Has that networking with other people in your position across the state through TTA been helpful to you when it’s time to adjust to the challenges that probably all of you are facing?

No doubt. I go back to the Carolinas. I worked my way up, I was eventually the president of our local there, the Carolinas, the Charlotte chapter. So I spent about eight years on that board until I was president. The networking with everybody – knowing the vendors, other superintendents, the peers in the market, makes a huge difference. Being able to pick the phone up and say, “Hey, I’m short four guys. How are you guys getting by with ten guys where I’m used to having fifteen? How are you doing it? Walk me through your day.” Those conversations are priceless. To be able to call up a superintendent in Nashville, Chattanooga, and for me Carolinas, even, to discuss pay rates and how often people are mowing greens or raking bunkers. That’s invaluable.

Do you have a mentor in the industry?

John Szklinski over at Charlotte Country Club, he’s still the superintendent out there. He came to Charlotte in 2007. It was an interesting time. I was a senior assistant. They had let go of the previous superintendent in 2006 and they called me into the office and said, “You’re going to be the interim superintendent until we find somebody, and by the way, we’re starting a complete golf course renovation project in November. So go ahead and start planning for that.”

John didn’t arrive until March, so we had everything planned out, and John and I clicked from day one. I talk to him probably twice a month now still and bounce a ton of ideas off of him, ask him tons of questions. He’s a friend and a mentor and I definitely wouldn’t be where I am right now without him.

36

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

What do you do in your free time?

Do you still get to play some golf?

I try. I think I played six rounds this year, maybe seven. My wife Jennifer and I have two small children. My son Tyler turns six and my daughter Teagan just turned four in August. So we’re tied up with soccer and baseball doing homework.

My son’s in kindergarten now so believe it or not, it blows my mind that they send these kids home with homework in kindergarten, so we’re doing that and running around. So it’s tough to get out and play golf, especially with the hours we’re putting in here. But I try. My parents followed me down here to see their grandkids, they live in Munford, so it’s nice to get out and play golf with my dad whenever I can still.

Other than that, when I do have some down time, I enjoy reading, non-fiction, history type stuff and just relaxing.

What would be your advice for someone thinking about a career in the turfgrass industry?

I still think it’s a great industry to get into.

You’re basically guaranteed a job for life.

I still say that because you can literally call up any golf course in any market and say, “Hey, I’m in the business, are you looking to hire?” And they’ll hire you to sit on a mower, walk mow, assistant, irrigation tech… you can get a job. It has its ups and downs like everything else. It’s great that we get to work outside yearround, but the downside is, we’re working outside year-round depending on where you’re at. It’s been great for me and my family, I’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to a lot of great golf courses and a lot of great events. Like anything else though, you get out of it what you put into it. It’s a lot of hard work, it’s a lot of networking, it takes a lot of your spare time, even outside of work to get to where I feel like I’m at right now. It’s not always as easy as it seems to sit in that superintendent’s chair. It’s not all about growing grass anymore, it’s political game. What you learn in school is great, but the real lessons are learned in the superintendent’s chair – you’ve got to feel that weight as a superintendent to really grasp and respect that position.

To hear the full interview, visit us at TheTurfZone.com.

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FEATURE

IT’S A LONG TERM IMPACT: TEACHING FOR FUTURE SUCCESS AND IMPACT

By Brandon Horvath, Ph.D.

T

eaching by its nature is a thankless job; it’s difficult to judge how effective you’ve been in the moment. Sure, there are tests and assessments one can use to determine how much has been ‘learned’, but those tools do little to capture the impact you’ve had on a student over a longer term. So, you often find yourself in a place where you don’t really know how you’ve done as a teacher until after the teaching is ‘complete’. Similarly, being a student isn’t exactly easy, nor what you end up doing when you move to the “real world”. I hate that term. The real world is where we are right now. It’s the ups and downs of being a student, learning new things, while juggling work commitments, social agendas, and parental expectations. Not to mention one’s own expectations, hopes, and dreams.

Honestly, the relationship formed between teacher and student when it’s done right should be one that lasts. Someone that the student can call upon when they need an unbiased perspective and someone that knows them and believes they’re capable of excellence even when they might not believe themselves. That is what I love about my opportunities to teach students in the Turfgrass Science and Management program here at the University of Tennessee,

38

Wes Mackie – Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club

Knoxville. It’s being able to see the growth of a person from being a novice to capable professional. It’s being able to show them how to identify a grass in the introductory turfgrass lab, to assessing a complex problem in the turfgrass strategies class, to taking a phone call about a new job opportunity and talking about the impact that might have on their burgeoning family.

Accomplished teaching is a long-term commitment, and I’ve been able to reflect this past year on just how much impact I’ve had on students that have made their way through our program, and the impact that my colleagues have had on our students as well.

The purpose of this article is to share with all of you just a few examples of what we do, and how committed we are to establishing long-term relationships with our students that tell us just how well we do at that job called “teaching”. I asked several of our students and alumni that you’re about to meet what it is about me and my colleagues’ teaching that has had an impact on them as they are navigating their careers. Their answers are insightful, and I think demonstrate that we are doing an exceptional job developing connections that will last.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Ryan York – Valhalla Golf Club

“Doc(s)” One of the things that comes with getting a Ph.D., if you’re not conceited or arrogant, is that you never quite get used to (at least I don’t) being called Doctor. Both Dr. Sorochan and I have plenty of stories when we were asked to call a professor by their name instead of referring to them by their more formal title. Both of us regularly encourage our students to call us what makes them comfortable, but with some limits; our last names are fine when referring to us to others, but I’m not a buddy or friend, so when talking to me, Doc, or my first name is fine. I know Dr. Sorochan is similar, and we both certainly don’t want an email that just says, “Hey, I need...(fill in the blank)”.

We spend a lot of class time talking about professional behavior and the importance of communication, and it’s obvious that it does have an impact because many of the students I contacted relayed how these concepts have been important in their careers.

One example comes from Tyler Baker, who graduated in 2012 and is General Manager of Common Grounds Landscape Management, where he mentioned as one of the Top 5 things he learned in

school that “Networking and developing professional relationships will make your career easier.” The same holds true for 2020 graduate, Ryan York, “Dr. Horvath was one of the main pillars in my education. His network is one of the largest I know.

Doc was and is still the guy you can go to with any questions not only about turf, but how to set and meet your goals as well as opportunities in the business.” Superintendent of Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club in Branford, CT and 2013 graduate Wes Mackie, says of Dr. Sorochan, “I think of Doc as ‘The Indiana Jones of turfgrass,’ he’s always on an adventure, and his awesome attitude is contagious. He taught me to view problems through a different lens, and that has undoubtedly helped me as a golf course superintendent.”

The importance of communication and networking was evident in every response from every student we interviewed for this article.

I know from my perspective that having 2012 graduates to 2022 future alumni saying they know how important professional communication and networking is to professional success serves as an indicator that what we are teaching is being absorbed and acted upon, and that is a good sign of true learning.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE VALLEY SPORTS TURF MANAGERS ASSOCIATION • TENNESSEE GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIATION

39

FEATURE Spreading Wings

Your Younger Self

Another consistent theme throughout the interviews with current and former students trying to understand the impact their educational experiences have had on their career preparation was the importance of the internship. Internships can be varied in their depth, duration, and impact. In the turfgrass science and management program here, Dr. Sorochan and I believe that students need to push the boundaries of what they think is possible and to spread their wings and experience an internship that is in line with their career goals. Jimmy Humston, 2011 alumnus, and superintendent of The Lido, the newest course added to the renowned WI golf resort, Sand Valley, captured what our goal is with student internships, “The connections I made through my first internship, while at Tennessee, have paved the way for all my career moves thus far.”

Mackie says, “My internship was at Quaker Ridge in Scarsdale, NY, and if I hadn’t gone there, I guarantee you I would not be where I’m at today.” And even with the impact of Covid-19, the importance of internships has not diminished, with current student, Mitch Penn (2022), saying, “I think my two internships (both affected by Covid-19) have been extremely influential to my success. They’ve allowed me to apply the knowledge I’ve gained in the classroom into the field. It has also gone the other way around; there are things that I’ve learned on my internships that have helped me in the classroom too. They are a great way to start building your network and creating opportunities for post-graduation positions.”

It’s clear that our students value the time that they spend in the field putting their education to work on deep, rich internships that help them get started on a successful career path.

I said at the beginning that it is hard to know how good a job one has done as a teacher in the moment. I think it is equally difficult for the student to know how something will impact them at the time they are taught. It is only after some reflection, growth, and life experience that things start to make sense. I asked these students what advice they’d give their younger selves in an effort to tease out things that have impacted them. They didn’t disappoint, and I’m heartened to see consistent themes come out of these bits of advice that I and Dr. Sorochan try to impart to them.

Overhead in progress view of The Lido, where Jimmy Humston is superintendent. Photo Credit: Brandon Carter

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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

Jimmy Humston at Sand Valley.

Photo Credit: Jeff Bertch

Jordan Clark (2012), Superintendent of the Links of Kahite in Tellico, TN says, “Listen, be observant, have an open mind, you’ll figure it out later. Challenge yourself, ask more questions, and take risks.” Humston echoes this, “Don’t get fixated on a course, area or even region.

Have an open mind as you never know where your job will take you.” Baker talks about the comfort zone, “Don’t stay in the comfort zone just because it’s easy.

You’ll miss opportunities for better things.”

Our soon to be alum Penn is insightful, “Do a bit more digging, you never know what you’ll stumble upon.” I’m constantly amazed at the growth students display as they make their way through our program, and I can’t help but feel proud at the students that we are fortunate enough to have in our care for a little while.

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Long-Term Impact & Future Success It is rewarding to see the impact that you have on your students not just professionally, but in their lives. I had a chance to chat with a student about a job opportunity that would require a move just the other day. Our conversation wasn’t about growing grass or fungicide programs. It was about how a move like this was going impact his growing family, and what he thought about that. If I could give my younger self some advice, it would be to emphasize to my students the importance of the big things, and not to worry so much about the details. I try to do that in class. I want them to understand that the materials and detail is only useful if you can communicate it to others and use it to solve problems. I often get asked why I ask exam questions that require a written response. The why is that I want to see how they are thinking, reasoning through a scenario, because that skill is what they need to be successful in the future, not which fungicide they should use to control dollar spot. I count myself fortunate that I’ve been able to develop these longlasting relationships with students where they want to come back and involve me in their careers, which to me is the primary indicator that they’ve been taught effectively. I love teaching. And I’m appreciative that they’ve let me be their teacher for a little while.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LET’S MAKE WORK EASIER

By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM

W

ork can be so hard sometimes. I don’t have to tell you this as nearly every organization is short staffed and desperate for labor to help. But as hard as work can be, it’s got to be even tougher for new hires when impatient customers and nearly impossible deadlines overwhelm even experienced employees. Maybe that’s why they’re quitting so quickly. As managers, we need to make it easier for them.

In fact, before we talk about how to boost retention by creating a better new employee experience, let’s think about all the people who haven’t even applied to our job postings. In a world of job descriptions that are often too long, too boring, and too confusing, we need to rewrite descriptions that introduce our organization’s mission and inspire people to help the team. We need to talk about what’s in store for them beyond pay and benefits that every job offers and focus on the career development and purpose that is unique to each organization. And we need to post our story in a clear, concise, and inviting manner.

One of my colleagues also believes that most organizations make it far too difficult for prospective employees to apply for work. He strives to make it as easy to apply for a job as to order a pizza from Domino’s (if you don’t know you can order in at least 15 different ways: from a voice command on Alexa to posting a pizza emoji on social media). By streamlining applications to the essentials and allowing job seekers to text-to-apply, you can engage people faster and provide a more convenient application process. I like this idea so much that I don’t even have a job application anymore.

And we all know most people under 30-years-old hate talking on the phone, so why do hiring managers continue to make job seekers uncomfortable with a phone call to start the process?

When we do manage to hire a candidate, the experience needs to be a smooth ramp up rather than a swift jump into the fray. I believe that leaders need to focus first on building a relationship with their people before they can lead a team toward real production.

Without a foundation of trust and opportunities to learn the positional and cultural expectations, success is impossible, and burnout is likely. But how long will it take to build these relationships and integrate someone new into a team?

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After considering and testing the time requirement for many years, I believe it takes a full year to expect someone to be working successfully. This doesn’t mean they don’t complete tasks and add value in their first year of employment, but rather that managers need to be intentionally investing in their development at the base level of job performance for a full year to help them stay engaged.

A large part of this effort is protecting first year employees from overbearing expectations.

When I propose my one-year theory to most managers, it isn’t met with enthusiasm and excitement. I empathize with their frustration and have worked hard to disprove this idea by onboarding people faster for years. Yet every time I accelerate the expectations it fails, and I find myself trying to rehire for a position (costing a fortune in recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding time and costs). So, I’ve given up attempts to fast track new employees.

The good news is that I have found incredible success in a patient approach of weekly coaching and development. In fact, people produce at basic tasks more reliably than ever and while it takes a year for them to reach their potential, I think that their potential grows immensely during that time. By committing my time and patience to my people, both production and retention skyrocket.

It’s time for managers to change their approach for success.

If you want help implementing a better application process or would like to discuss how to better coach your people through onboarding and beyond, I’d be happy to help. Just send me a note at Neal@GrowTheBench.com. When you change your approach, you’ll be amazed at how the outcomes change too.

NEAL GLATT is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry.

Learn more about him and his solutions at www.NealGlatt.com.

TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org

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Winstead Turf................................Inside Front Cover

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