Jacobsen Helping Prepare Next Generation of Turf Managers for Successful Careers

Source: www.TurfMagazine.com

Last week, Jacobsen, a Textron Company, hosted over 20 college seniors from top turfgrass programs around the world as part of its Future Turf Managers event.

The annual event gives students a unique opportunity to network with turfgrass industry professionals at the highest level. During the three-day event, students visit with top superintendents and sports field managers, hear cutting-edge presentations from top university professors and get an insider’s look at Jacobsen’s turf maintenance equipment.

Attendees must be recommended by directors or professors at turfgrass programs. Students were selected from over 20 colleges and universities, including Penn State University, Texas A&M University, Mississippi State University, Iowa State University and North Dakota State University. The group also included an international student from Myerscough College in Lancashire, England.

Dr. Jim Brosnan of the University of Tennessee presented on herbicide resistance during one of Jacobsen University’s several educational sessions.

The event included site visits to Quail Hollow Golf Club and Sage Valley Golf Club, two of the top golf courses in the Southeast. At Quail Hollow Club, the group got a rare opportunity to see the course in the midst of its transition from bentgrass greens to bermudagrass. The grass change is part of a host of course renovations being made at Quail Hollow in preparation for the 2017 PGA Championship.

The week ended with a valuable discussion on leadership and communication by Steve Randall, senior manager of Chapter Outreach for the GCSAA. Randall’s presentation served as the perfect capstone to the week.

Reflecting on the event, students said their experiences will better prepare them for their job search and future careers.

Photo: The Jacobsen Future Turf Managers group gets a firsthand look at Quail Hollow Club’s renovations with Superintendent Chris Deariso.