Mistakes made, lessons learned, and a chance at a golf course start up…for the second time. Join Kevin Hicks this week as he talks with Ben Wilmarth, Superintendent at the Osprey Meadows GC at Tamarack Resort, near Donnelly, Idaho. Ben had the opportunity to re-start the venerable Robert Trent Jones II course built in the early 2000’s and then shuttered in 2016 due to bankruptcy.

Kevin and Ben also discuss many of the common mistakes turf managers make and the importance of talking about them to help others avoid similar pitfalls.

Welcome Pete Bachman! On this edition of the EarthWorks podcast Jack Higgins chats with Pete (golf course superintendent at The Links at Spanish Bay, Pebble Beach, CA) about the importance of perseverance, networking, and everyday hard work. Join them as they reminisce about their time together in college and what it was like to be part of Penn State’s Spanish for Agriculture minor during its inaugural year.

Join Kevin Hicks for a discussion with Dave Wilber about construction and renovation. They discuss what to watch out for and what steps are most important in the planning and implementation process. 

The second go-round with Armen Suny (Search and Consulting Executive, Kopplin Kuebler & Wallace) is as good as the first. Armen shares his thoughts on sand greens mixes.  We talk about what is good and what could be better with a sand construction mix.

Once again the conversation with Armen is lively, funny and worth listening to.

Fertilizer prices have been on the rise for a year and are showing no signs of slowing down. Carbon-based fertilizer is not rising at the same rate and this can be the right time to make a change and find out the long-term cost value of a good carbon based fertility program.

Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins chat with Mark Nuzum of United Granulation Services about where the fertility market is and where it’s most likely to go in the next few years.

They also talk with Lisa Kiefer, Vice President and Operations Manager at EarthWorks, to better understand today’s freight market and where it may be heading.

Join Joel Simmons for a visit with Patrick “Irish” Coakley live from the Myrtle Beach STMA Conference and Trade Show. Patrick tells the funny story of where the name “Irish” came from and we go through his career managing sports turf. Irish has been involved in Minor League Baseball for his entire career, and we have a healthy discussion about the state of where Minor League Baseball is today.

Keith Wood, Director of Greens & Grounds at Quail Hollow Club is no stranger to hosting tournaments. This year their tradition tournament, the Wells Fargo, will move north and instead Quail Hollow will be getting ready for a new venue for the fall 2022 Presidents Cup. Keith also talks to us about his career, lessons learned, and the construction work done at Quail Hollow to prepare for the 2017 PGA Championship which is coming back in 2025!

Greenkeeping runs deep for Jason Pierce, and it better because he’s got a lot to manage! Forty-five golf holes at Golden Horseshoe Golf Club in Williamsburg, VA plus a role as Mid-Atlantic Regional Agronomist for Kemper Sports. Jason puts a lot of effort into staying organized and efficient probably because he learned how to keep greens during a time when you were forced to make more with less. This is a characteristic that he has carried throughout his career. You will also enjoy hearing Jason tell some great old “Joel Stories” from his early days of building greens at Whitetail Resort in PA and Heron Glen in NJ.

This week’s podcast features Chuck Barber, Superintendent at St. Charles Country Club in suburban Chicago, Illinois. Of course we talk about turf, but there are also some great conversations about health, taking risks, raising kids and the work/life balance. We also discussed innovations and ways to bring positivity to the industry.

In this EW Podcast, Jack Higgins chats with Jeremy Hreben, superintendent at Indian Spring Golf Course in Marlton, NJ, about the unique challenges of municipal golf in providing excellent golfing conditions at an accessible price. It’s also a nice chat between friends that have supported each other’s career - and that’s what it’s really all about!

Allen Reed has an awesome perspective of the full evolution of the sprawling FC Dallas complex. He started as Field Manager 16 years ago, just weeks after construction of the stadium field began. Allen keenly recalls great details from his time at FC Dallas and shares entertaining stories of his introduction into the world of turf. Enjoy this interesting talk from a renowned Major League Soccer Field Grounds Director.

Zach Bauer of Valley Country Club in Colorado is one of the up and coming superintendents in the west. Zach and Kevin discuss a wide range of topics including: construction projects he’s overseeing, staffing and retention ideas that have worked in a very tight job market, and of course hobbies he enjoys to get his mind off of work. Zach’s passion for the industry is very apparent and he offers many ideas that could be applicable to everyone.

Pat Jones is one of the most recognized names in the golf course industry and has been a passionate advocate for superintendents for over 30 years. He spent most of his career as a writer, editor and public speaker working for many major turf publications. Join us for a discussion of some of the trends that he sees happening today with the state of the golf maintenance market.

Greg D’Antonio has 25 years of golf course experience, including 10 years as a head superintendent at a classic Pennsylvania country club, and he’s not even 40! After reminiscing about his early days on the golf course he quickly gets into the meat of the talk! Greg is near the conclusion of his 10 year master plan that has rebuilt Concord Country Club. Learn how he has accomplished this with limited outside contractors and no assessment to the members!

Kevin Hauschel is a former golf course superintendent who got interested in drone technology while at the Meadow Club in Marin County, California. He has taken that interest to his position as head of West Coast sales for Greensight, a company that provides drone technology to turf managers. This technology is providing a tremendous return on investment by allowing the turf manager to see from above areas of the property that may not be obvious from the ground. Join us for this fascinating conversation.

Bonus video! Kevin Hauschel shares a few aerial drone images showing areas of a golf course and Oracle Park in San Francisco. Then he explainshow these images can help turf managers.

The EarthWorks team introduces the term Eco Adaptive Chemistry. This term is gaining strength in the worldwide agronomic community. The concept observes natural soil systems and helps define the symbiosis between minerals, microbes and plant roots. Eco Adaptive Chemistry helps explain how a soil really works.

How do you get owners and golfers to take notice? Steven Ball of Ballyhack Golf Club uncovers his most impactful practices.

Steven Ball is a young superintendent with mountains of experience. Ballyhack Golf Club is a stunning links course in southwest Virginia and a jewel of the nationally renowned Dormie Network. In this conversation with Jack Higgins, Steven uncovers tools he uses to reduce compaction and manage the very heavy clay soil on the property. Steven doesn’t hold back in this very insightful conversation. 

Matt Muhlenbruch has has one of the best resumes in the golf turf business. He escaped the stresses of the Mid Atlantic summers to move to the west coast where he worked at the Olympic Club during the 2012 US Open, then moved to Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach and recently did a major rebuild at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles. A great conversation between two guys from New Jersey!