USGA Green Section Podcast

In our latest podcast, Kenton Brunson, director of agronomy at the legendary Mid Ocean Club, joins us to talk about managing bermudagrass in Bermuda and the challenges that come with maintaining a golf course on a small island in the Atlantic. We also cover his experiments with creeping bentgrass greens, upcoming renovations at the course, the strong business mindset he brings to the maintenance department, thoughts on leadership, and much more.

Preparing grass playing surfaces for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has taken years of planning, research and coordination across multiple countries and venues. In our latest podcast, we chat with Dr. John Sorochan from the University of Tennessee about all the work behind developing, growing and installing 16 stadium pitches and dozens of training fields across the United States, Canada and Mexico. From grass selection and reinforced fiber systems to sod production and stadium installation, this unprecedented project is not only fascinating, it offers valuable lessons for golf course management.

In our new episode, the incomparable John Reilly joins us to talk about data collection, social media, his secrets for maintaining smooth and true greens, and much more!

Warm-season winter injury is a challenge for courses across the transition zone. In this episode, Dr. Mike Richardson explains why it happens, how to prevent it and tips for recovery.

In our new episode, Pat Jones, a leading voice in the turf industry for 40 years and a staunch advocate for superintendents, discusses the key issues shaping golf course maintenance today.

Shane Pokorney, CTEM, is Dallas National’s equipment manager and joins us to talk fleet management, staff training, fabrication, the superintendent-mechanic dynamic and more!

UNC Tar Heels football is going back to its roots – literally. In this episode, assistant AD of facilities and turf management, Casey Carrick, joins us to break down the switch from artificial turf to bermudagrass at Kenan Stadium, including the agronomic and performance considerations behind the decision.

The golfing world will get an inside look at one of the cathedrals of the game as Cypress Point Club hosts the 50th Walker Cup next month. Superintendent Jeff Markow joins us in this special episode to discuss course prep, agronomy, history and what he’s learned over three decades at one of golf’s most spectacular courses.

For a fortnight each summer, the sporting world turns its eyes to Wimbledon, where the impeccably maintained grass tennis courts have taken center stage at The Championships since 1877. In this special episode, Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, offers a behind-the-scenes look at maintaining the club’s 90 grass courts. We also discuss their extensive turfgrass research program, the similarities and differences with golf course maintenance, innovative techniques like steam sterilization developed by Neil and his team, and so much more!

AI is showing up everywhere – including on the golf course. In our latest podcast, Dr. Roch Gaussoin explains the basics of AI, how it can help superintendents, and what the future may hold.

Oakmont’s iconic bunkers and greens will take center stage at next week’s U.S. Open. Superintendent Michael McCormick joins us to discuss their history, maintenance and recent restoration.

In our new podcast, we’re joined by superintendent Chris Tritabaugh from Hazeltine National Golf Club in Minnesota. He talks about how comparing actual turf growth with expected growth using “Turf GvX” can help superintendents at any type of golf course optimize their putting green management to deliver the best possible playing conditions on a consistent basis.

What does a century of Green Section research look like? Two of the brightest minds in turf reflect on their journeys directing the USGA’s turf and environmental research program and share how superintendents can put all that research into practice.

Tanner Coffman is the man behind the turf and tech at TGL, the new simulator golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods. In this episode, he covers the maintenance of both the real and artificial turf as well as all the technology it takes to make it happen.

In our new episode, Dr. Micah Woods returns for a lively discussion on a wide range of topics, including how to properly perform soil nutrient testing and how using MLSN can improve fertility programs. We also talk about the water requirements of different grasses and explore how superintendents may contribute to their own Poa annua and dollar spot problems. From tracking topdressing amounts to getting turf research into practice, Dr. Woods shares his insights on many important issues and offers real solutions for superintendents.

In our new episode, 2025 Green Section Award recipient Rod Lingle reflects on a long and accomplished career as a superintendent, his inventions, leading the ultradwarf revolution and more!

Are you ready for some football? In this special episode, we catch up with the Kansas City Chiefs' director of turf management, Travis Hogan, for an inside look at what it takes to manage a field for the NFL.

In our new podcast, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how two leaders and their teams work together to deliver an exceptional golf experience at one of America’s great golf clubs.

Our 50th episode features a conversation with Chad Allen on how data collection leads to consistently great greens at Chatham Hills and we have an intro to the GS3 from our own Brian Powell.