In this episode Frank Speaks with Paul Roche, irrigation industry veteran and now president of Golf Water of Wake Forest, NC. Frank has known Paul since the mid-1990’s during Paul’s time with a Rochester-based irrigation distributor and eventually as co-author of the definitive irrigation textbook Golf Course Irrigation: Environmental Design and Management Practices.

Frank and Paul discuss a variety of topics related to the most effective irrigation design, operation, and maintenance. A lively discussion ensues around run times, distribution and the best use of the latest technology that leads to water use efficiency. “Are we using the technology in our irrigation systems like driving a Ferrari in first gear?”

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, our “water guy” Mike Huck, president of Irrigation and Turfgrass Services (Dana Point, CA), chats with Frank about the past, present and future of water. The conversation ranges from “all water is local” and the classic movie “Chinatown” to the obstacles and opportunities for conservation.

Will there be a “free market”  for water and where will golf fall out in the allocations?

To be sure this is not simply a conversation for golf west of the Mississippi River, but as drought impacts many areas of the country, these conversations will be relevant.

In this special episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank is joined by four top turfgrass diagnosticians from across the USA. Our Northeast correspondent Rich Buckley from Rutgers University, From the ACC we have Lee Butler at NC State, from the Midwest I chat with Kurt Hockenmeyer from UW Madison, and Emily Braithwaite from Oregon State University in the PNW.

These experts provide insights into Spring diseases, insects and nematode issues. Discussion from Pythium root rot and summer patch to Spring dead spot and Ascochyta leaf spot. It’s a plethora of pests and stresses!

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In this 'evergreen' episode of Frankly Speaking, Dan Dinelli relates what he has learned from his recent conversion from Poa annua on native soil greens to bentgrass on sand-based greens at North Shore Country Club near Chicago.

A fresh look at behavior and management of organic matter and biomass in sand-based systems, down to the single-particle level. A fascinating discussion!

Originally aired 12/13/2019. Presented by DryJect, Plant Food Company and Frost Services.

Frank Speaks at length with Professor William (Billy) Crow from the University of Florida about all things nematodes. How they work as a species? Where we find them? How to sample them? How do you know if you have a nematode problem? And what are the long-term effects of nematicide use?

Billy speaks Frankly about nematicide use in warm season turf and the challenges we face as an industry with managing plant parasitic nematodes and sustaining the many beneficial nematodes and arthropods vital to the soil food web. Billy’s efforts to improve sampling and diagnosis of plant parasitic nematodes has made the UF Nematode Lab an important resource for the turfgrass industry.

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Frank Rossi speaks with Professor Jim Brosnan of the University of Tennessee on the rising concerns of herbicide resistant annual bluegrass and the national project attempting to understand this elusive plant.

Frank and Jim revive Resistance Radio and go deep on the nature of herbicide resistance and the multiple strategies plants develop to elude routine herbicide applications. Jim wonders why weed control is not approached like diseases and insects managed in turf.

The conversation expands to include other difficult-to-control weeds such as goosegrass, nutsedge and crabgrass. This is one of those episodes we will listen to in 10 years and wonder why we didn’t pay attention this critical issue sooner. As Jim so aptly quotes a leading researcher, “the answer to herbicide resistance is not going to come from a jug”.

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Big welcome to our newest sponsor, Frost Inc. Spray Technology Products!.

Each year the University of Wisconsin-Madison Turfgrass Pathology Program and the Turfgrass Diagnostic Lab evaluate over 100 snow mold control products at multiple locations throughout the Northern Great Lakes Region. The man behind that research is Kurt Hockemeyer, the Director of the Diagnostic Lab. He sat down with Frank for a conversation about predicting, controlling and recovering from the variety of snow molds that afflict golf turf systems. You’ll be surprised to hear his take on not treating at all, use of pigments, and asks, “do we really need three active ingredients?”

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In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with long-time colleague and Professor at the UW-Madison, Doug Soldat. Doug and Frank have a 15-year history of chatting about all sorts of plant and soil science topics from early days at Cornell, GCSAA Seminars, regional webinars, as well as previous episodes of this fine podcast.

Doug and Frank take up some “organic matters” of the soil concerning nutrient and water management, and the soon-to-be-released USGA standards for organic matter testing. Lively conversation ensues discussing “chasing fake numbers”, establishing meaningful comparisons to expected water use rates, and why managing growth and organic matter will directly improve playability. Consider this another installment of “what Doug and Frank think this year”.

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In this episode Frank speaks with Jason Straka, Cornell University alumnus, former president of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and current president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

After a quick wander through his formative years Jason and Frank take up practical course construction issues, working with golf course superintendents, affordable golf, and the minefield that can be mass media.

Jason speaks candidly about what is fair criticism of golf but also where we are excelling environmentally. Ending with an interesting conversation about access and addressing the length of courses by changing the golf ball.

If you are a golf geek, you will love this chat.

In this episode, Frank speaks with Dr. Larry Stowell of PACE Turf about his career path as the son of California Dept of Agriculture professional, through having to get kicked out of the University of Arizona “'cause I loved it so much” and competing for a job his partner Dr. Wendy Gelernter was recruited for!

This pioneer in data-driven management is always asking questions and seeking the best science to help golf course superintendents be more efficient and effective in achieving their performance goals. What could be a better aspiration! A lovely chat worthy of a good listen.

In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank catches up with Penn State University Professor John Kaminski in between John’s presentations to golf course superintendents. In his usual candor, John walks us through his early years, wanting to crush everyone’s turf program, and the nature of “we are”.

Some technical topics arise during the conversation regarding thatch collapse and a new Pythium species being researched in John’s lab. There is even talk of the new Diagnostic Lab John is launching. Not too bad for a Penn State Guy!

Presented by DryJect and Plant Food Company.

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In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with longtime friend and turfgrass researcher, consultant, and all-around great guy Mark Mahady. Mark has spent almost 40 years in the turfgrass industry, from some humble golf maintenance shop floor-waxing skills to one of the most sought-after turfgrass consultants/researchers in the Western US.

Mark and Frank speak on a wide range of topics from turfgrass management in the late 1970’s in California, through the 1980’s and the Chemlawn research group. Much of the chat turns to annual bluegrass management and how far we have come as an industry out west. Mark and Frank end up by paying homage to the many innovative superintendents who have contributed to improving annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass management in CA.

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In this episode of Frankly Speaking, Frank speaks with two young leaders in the golf turf industry: Leasha Schwab, the golf course superintendent of Pheasant Run Golf Club in Sharon, Ontario, and Christopher Reverie, golf course superintendent at Allentown Municipal Golf Course, Allentown, PA.

These young leaders have distinguished themselves in unique ways. Individually they are making a difference in the lives of both aspiring and existing golf course professionals. It’s not always easy, and it usually means working more than the next person, but it seems leading is in their DNA.

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This episode of Frankly Speaking returns to the Western US with Dr. Gwen Stahkne of Walla Walla Community College, WA and long-time Washington State Turfgrass Extension Specialist, and Brianne Kenny, an Environmental Scientist at Troon Golf, based in Arizona.

Gwen has a long career that began in the Midwest working with some legends in turfgrass science, Drs. Beard, Turgeon and Shearman. Well trained and outspoken, Gwen established and maintained educational resources for the PNW for the last 40 years. We got a chance to explore those years.

Bri Kenny started waiting tables at a Troon property during her MS program in Environmental Science. She was able to tour the course during onboarding and knew that was the place for her. Nothing quite like hearing the hope and promise of a new generation of scientists and turf professionals. Bri sees golf in a broader context that we could all learn from.

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Golf in the desert and in the mountains offer unique experiences in dramatically visual arid environments. This episode of Frankly Speaking focuses on these unique management systems with experts in agronomy and pest management.

Brian Whitlark, USGA Green Section Senior Agronomist in the Southwest and Adam VanDyke, owner and lead scientist at Professional Turf Solutions based in Utah.

Brian and Frank speak frankly about managing desert golf courses in some of the last remaining areas in the US that winter overseed. Overseeding strategies, surface preparation, the Ryegrass Management System and of course water are big topics.

Adam and Frank turn to pests and stress in the mountains. Lots of persistent challenges, emerging pests and managing turf in the mountains when abnormal becomes the new normal with warmer temperatures and less snow.

As usual Frank is able to cover a lot of ground in a short time!

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This expansive Frankly Speaking episode is filled with Science, Economics, and Formula 1. Frank begins with Professor Michelle DaCosta from the University of Massachusetts on her career and winter injury research. You’ll be surprised to learn what a new USDA multi-million-dollar research program will be studying in the next few years.

Frank then turns to long time contributor Jim Koppenhaver, from Pellucid Golf, answering the question, “are we holding onto gains in golf realized in 2020, during 2021?” But the better topic is Jim’s advice for how to put that money back into the most important resource, the golf course.

The show wraps up with a “catch-up” chat with Chris Tritabaugh. Frank and Chris discuss the season in review, what makes a good irrigation system, Formula 1, and taking good care of yourself during some challenging times.

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Frank speaks unusually Frankly with Tyler Bloom, a former golf course superintendent currently specializing in workforce development. A far-reaching conversation about the woes, wins and opportunities that lie ahead for the labor needs in the golf and sports turf industries. Aligning labor and business goals in a golf course operation requires some progressive thinking. Tyler provides some useful tips.

Frank ends the episode checking in with the official SE Diagnostician of the Frankly Speaking Podcast, Lee Butler at NC State University. Frank-Lee speaking about above and below ground issues from the growing season and how to prep for next year’s disease pressure now!

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In this episode, Frank Speaks with Pete Cookingham, recently retired director of the Turfgrass Information File based at Michigan State University. Pete reviews the history of the database and the unique nature of managing a topic specific database, like turfgrass science. His lifetime commitment is celebrated every time we use the information and he continually receives donations of information by the pallet!

Frank also chats with Dr. Casey Reynolds, Executive Director of Turfgrass Producers Inc (TPI) about the soon to be voted on Sod Checkoff program. Casey outlines the research and marketing program currently underway with TPI and the startling amount of money that this program could generate. $14 million!

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