Frank has wide ranging conversation with Professor Doug Soldat, the chair of the Soil and Environmental Science Dept. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Doug and Frank begin with discussing how turfgrass is “starved” of nitrogen, growth and density are impacted by traffic, and how organic matter is managed using a tool developed by Emeritus Professor Ed McCoy and DryJect Services to monitor OM development over time using various cultivation methods.

The conversation wraps up discussing tools that measure surface firmness and how OM and topdressing impacts performance.

Frank caught up with another “local” to the Central NY Region, Brian Palmer, Director of Courses at Tara Iti Golf Club and  Te Aria Links Golf Club in New Zealand. The son of a golf course superintendent and graduate of my alma mater SUNY Cobleskill, Brian did a seven- year stint at Merion, then his first Superintendent’s role at Shoreacres in Chicago, where he worked with consulting architect and Cornell grad Tom Doak. That eventually led to Brian being offered the lead role where he now oversees three golf courses and a staff of 64.

Frank and Brian discuss his career, fescue greens, and growing grass in the Winterless North of New Zealand.

Frank got a chance to catch up with Andy Magnasco, Director of Golf Course Maintenance and Grounds at Carmel Valley Ranch in Carmel Valley, CA about his career development and how he arrived in his current role — a second stint at the Ranch. They discussed the many and varied projects from bentgrass putting surfaces on the golf course to fire prevention for land management and yoga platforms that enhance the guest experience.

Andy is among the most thoughtful turfgrass professionals Frank has had the opportunity to chat with. Listening to this podcast will likely inspire others to take on the many challenges that are offered at any golf course!

Our guest this episode is Chris Hyman, the Equipment Manager at Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Victor, NY about 15 miles southeast of Rochester. Chris is a longtime member of the turfgrass industry working in agronomics, sales, service/support, and now equipment manager - wrenching! He’s worked with many of the colors of iron we find in golf and sports turf and is currently a EMCP Level 2 in the equipment managers certification program on his way to be a fully CTEM.

This a classic equipment deep dive we’ve come to expect when an EM comes on Frankly Speaking.

Frank wraps up the 11th season of Frankly Speaking with Finger Lakes native Russ Myers, Director of Agronomics for Hanse Golf Course Design. Russ’s illustrious career has humble beginnings as a coach’s son attending SUNY Cobleskill before moving onto Augusta National, Card Sound, LA CC and two stints at Southern Hills.

This is one of the most candid conversations ever on Frankly Speaking, describing a career of networking and high-profile golf course construction and maintenance intersecting with all the modern giants of the golf course industry. A one of kind conversation with a one of kind professional -- a great end to our season!

Frank gets a chance to catch up with Dr. Michael Bekken, a research scientist at Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) conducting research on sustainable resource management with particular emphasis on turfgrass management.

Michael and Frank discuss third party environmental review programs such as Audubon, GEO, E-Par and gathering data from the golf industry on detailed energy, fertilizer, water, and pesticide use. Michael expounds on how we as an industry will begin to understand a strong framework for golf course sustainability.

Frank speaks with Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis, Professor of Turfgrass Breeding & Genetics at North Carolina State University about her career progression from Peanuts and Tobacco to Turfgrass breeding. Dr. Milla-Lewis discusses how her study of these other crops has informed her process to produce improved turfgrass varieties through the “breeding pipeline”. She elaborates on the challenges that the Transition Zone will be facing as the climate continues to change and how breeders will collaborate nationally to address our most pressing challenges.

Frank speaks with the Managing Director of the USGA Green Section, Dr. Matthew Pringle. Frank and Dr. Pringle discuss his education and early career with the USGA Equipment Standards department with particular emphasis on his work addressing golf club grooves.

Dr. Pringle further emphasizes the current USGA efforts to connect playability with golfer performance and preference as well as helping golf course superintendents to become more sustainable.

In this episode Frank speaks with Dr. Michael J. Goatley Jr., Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. His contributions to sports turf management and turfgrass science have earned him numerous honors, including the 2023 PGMS Gold Medal Award and election as an American Society of Agronomy Fellow in 2018.

Dr. Goatley and Frank do their best to not sound like the OG Muppets, covering topics such as nutrient management and training the next generation of turf professionals.

In this special episode of Frankly Speaking highlighting the The First Green program, Frank revisits his conversation with Jeff Gullickson, the “Godfather” of the First Green program. The passion that Jeff discusses lays the foundation for the current program managed by Leann Cooper, the Director of First Green And Workforce Development at the GCSAA.

Finally, Frank catches up with Muhammed Ali, the former GC Superintendent at Morton Golf and now the Parks manager at Southgate Recreation and Park District in Sacramento, CA. Muhammed discusses his background in centuries of farming in Pakistan and bringing the First Green program to Pakistan, where he was able to inspire some local residents and plant the seed for a new generation!

Frank speaks with Murray Cook, Head of Sports Turf Division at Brightview Sports and a 2025 Inductee into the Virgina Sports Hall of Fame. Murray and Frank discuss three decades of experience in field construction and renovation for multiple MLB stadiums, Olympic venues, and World Baseball Classic facilities. His expertise spans from the major leagues to emerging baseball markets across Asia and Latin America, where he's helped develop both professional and grassroots facilities.

Frank and Murray chat about prep for Field of Dreams, Rickwood Field and Next year at NASCARS Bristol Raceway!

Frank speaks with Dr. Chas Schmid from Oregon State University on the evolution of his thinking on organic matter and nutrient management from early days meeting in Nebraska, a stint for Chas Ph.D. at Rutgers University and now as part of the thriving OSU Turfgrass Program. An in-depth discussion of modern-day organic matter management with particular reference to the new 5 yr project underway at OSU investigating cultivation and topdressing on Poa annua greens in the PNW is followed by the same throughline from Rutgers to OSU on nutrient management.

If you are looking for a deeper understanding of organic and nutrient management, this is the listen for you.

Frank visits with Kayla Kipp, Certified Turfgrass Equipment Manager at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania. Kayla takes us through her journey as the daughter of a handyman-Dad to her current leadership role at Nemacolin as well her support of Equipment Managers and Technicians benefiting from her involvement in the GCSAA’s education program.

The conversation includes a good ole’ deep dive into Reel Theory, her approach to mower set-up and how data informs her decisions. If you are involved in producing golf playing surfaces with reel mowers, you don’t want to miss this episode.

Frank got the band back together for their annual conversation about the business of golf. Jim Koppenhaver of Pellucid Golf and Stuart Lindsay of Edgehill Consulting join Frank for a lively chat about the 20 percent growth in golf since the Pandemic, the lower supply of courses, changing golf playing patterns due to remote work and a vibrant economy stimulating the golfing demographic. Always something new to learn about how golf performs as a business.

The inimitable Dr. Brandon Horvath from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville joins Frank to chat about his early days growing up playing golf, time with Dr. Joe Vargas, what makes a good candidates for the turfgrass industry, and  an elaborate discussion on the analytics of golf and course management. This concludes our interviews of ALL the UT faculty!

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with Dr. Jay McCurdy, Associate Professor and Mississippi State Turfgrass Extension Specialist, about a variety of topics concerning his career that has spanned from farming in TN to working with Dr. Micah Woods in Asia and now as the Mississippi Turfgrass Extension Specialist.

Dr. McCurdy has led the USDA Refuge Lawn project that some might say can look like a “grow’d up mess” when the Bermudagrass is actively growing in May. It is clear Dr. McCurdy has a keen sense of his stakeholders in MS and across the US. We are lucky to have him teaching, researching, and extending his knowledge into our industry.

Frank speaks in this episode with PBI-Gordon’s West Research Scientist, Dr. Chrissie Segars. Dr. Segars received a BS at Clemson University, spent a short time as Grad Assistant at LSU “watching Les Miles eating grass”, then an MS and Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University under the tutelage of Dr. Dennis Martin. Short stints in academic life ultimately led to Dr. Segar’s current role exploring Biological Control products as West Research Scientist for PBI-Gordon.

This is a lively conversation with a passionate professional committed to educating, encouraging and doing some exploring for the next generation of turfgrass professionals.

This episode, with Dr. Becky Bowling, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Tennesee, focuses on the emerging need for working with people when studying and managing turfgrass systems.

Dr. Bowling receved her MS at Texas Tech and Ph.D. at University of Georgia with Dr. Gerald Henry. Her research and extension efforts have focused on evaluating and communicating turfgrass best management practices to promote water efficiency, water capture, and water quality in turfgrass systems and related urban greenspaces.