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.

In our new episode, Dr. David Huff of Penn State shares the challenges of developing and releasing high-quality Poa annua seed, how he succeeded, why Poa often gets a bad rap, and much more.

In our new podcast episode, we’re joined by Lee Butler from the NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab to learn about the latest turf pathology trends, tips on sampling for and managing disease, and much more.

In our new podcast, we chat with two of this year’s Green Section interns, Elisabeth Kitchin and Manuel Salado. They talk about their careers in turf, experiences in the program and more. Links: Green Section Internship Program. Apply today!

Our summer abroad wraps up in England as we welcome Sunningdale’s Jamie Wilson and George Pitts to the podcast for a chat about heathland golf, course prep and history at the Curtis Cup.

In our new episode we chat with Richard Forsyth, director of golf courses at Royal Melbourne, about the unique way they manage organic matter in their bentgrass greens, and much more!

The University of California, Riverside, Turf Breeding Program has been hard at work developing improved warm-season grasses and finding solutions to the issues facing golf courses in California and throughout the Southwest. In our new podcast episode, Dr. Jim Baird discusses how their new bermudagrass releases can help golf courses save water and improve conditions year round. We also chat about which bermudagrass traits are being targeted for future improvement, where kikuyugrass could find a niche in golf, the current water situation out West, and much more!

Our new episode features Course No. 2 superintendent John Jeffreys on U.S. Open prep and Audrey Moriarty of the Tufts Archives on Pinehurst’s 130-year legacy of golf and course maintenance.

To say that Paul R. Latshaw is one of the most accomplished and influential golf course superintendents of all time would not be an overstatement. He is the only superintendent in history to host all three U.S. majors, he’s been a mentor to countless industry leaders, and he changed how courses are prepared for championship golf. Oakmont, Augusta National, Congressional, Riviera, Winged Foot and others benefited from his innovative and energetic approach to greenkeeping. We are thrilled to share our conversation with this giant of the golf course maintenance industry as he reflects on a remarkable career. Subscribe to the Green Section Record and more at : https://gsshop.usga.org/education

In our new podcast, we talk with Chris Tritabaugh about data collection, innovation, and how focusing on surface performance and golfer satisfaction leads to great greens at Hazeltine.

Are frequent aeration and topdressing only needed because turf growth isn’t being properly managed? What maintenance practices aren’t worth the time, effort and money – and what should you being doing more of? In our new podcast episode, Dr. Micah Woods answers these tough questions in a fast-paced, informative conversation. He also shared his thoughts on what role zoysiagrass might play in golf’s future and why focusing on playability instead of just agronomy can lead to more success. It’s a great discussion with one of the sharpest minds in turf.

In our first episode of 2024, USGA agronomist Chris Neff discusses what’s been happening in the Southeast this winter, his role in the Green Section and tips to get the year off to a great start. Related Article(s): Southeast Regional Updates in the Green Section Record Chris Neff Joins the Green Section as an East Region Agronomist

Are you ready for winter? In our new podcast, Dr. Paul Koch from the University of Wisconsin discusses the WinterTurf project and strategies for getting turf through the cold weather ahead. Related Article(s): Be a Part of the WinterTurf Project Paul Koch, Ph.D. – The Koch Lab

From robot mowers to education and leadership, Dan Meersman is a pioneer in the golf course maintenance industry. In our latest episode, we caught up with the third-generation superintendent to discuss how his role has evolved at The Philadelphia Cricket Club and the fleet of robots he has helping him maintain three golf courses and various other turf areas around the facility. He’s been very happy with his robot mowers so far and sees even more promise on the horizon.

Have you ever wondered about the best way to sample for organic matter in your greens? How many samples should you take? How deep should they be? Grass on or off? What’s the right amount of organic matter for your course? In our latest podcast episode, we talk with University of Nebraska professor and 2023 USGA Green Section Award recipient Dr. Roch Gaussoin for some answers to these and other sampling questions. He’s been working on a collaborative project to standardize putting green organic matter testing with USGA agronomists and researchers around the country.

The focus of the golf world is in Rome this week at the Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club. We spoke with Lara Arias, the host course superintendent, about her career in course maintenance, hosting the Ryder Cup, growing grass in Italy, and more!

In our new podcast episode, Dr. Ben Wherley from Texas A&M sheds some light on the issue of shade and its impact on turf. We cover how light is measured, how much light different grasses need to grow well, tips for dealing with shade, new research on this topic and more!

In our latest episode, we cross the pond to chat with James Bledge, links manager at Royal Liverpool. He detailed the agronomics of links golf, prepping for a major and his experience on greenkeeping in the UK.

Buckle up for a cross-country road trip as we catch up on the latest trends in each region with USGA Agronomists. We’ll recap 2023 so far, discuss organic matter and the GS3, then preview the U.S. Open at LACC.

Dr. Scott McElroy, professor at Auburn University, joins us to chat about several topics including robot mowers, Poa annua and goosegrass, data and his work in Italy.

Dr. Cole Thompson, director of research at the USGA, joins us for a special Earth Day episode to discuss the research program he leads and all the ways golf courses benefit the environment. Related Articles: Golf Courses Benefit People And Wildlife Golf, USGA Green Section Doing Their Part to Make Game Environmentally Friendly What Is a Golf Course?

Our latest podcast takes you on a trip to the Caribbean as we talk with Damon Di Giorgio, superintendent at Cabot St. Lucia, about the ups and downs of building a golf course in paradise.

Catch our conversation with Chris Tritabaugh, golf course superintendent at Hazeltine, to learn how he approaches putting green data collection and how he uses that data to make decisions.

Catch our conversation with David Bermudez, director of agronomy at Del Rio CC, about the motivation and process involved in converting their fairways from common to hybrid bermudagrass.

Menlo Country Club superintendent Chris Eckstrom talks about making the switch to hybrid bermudagrass fairways and how it has the course well positioned for the future. Related Articles: Pulverize Your Way To Hybrid Bermudagrass Fairways Converting Fairways To Bermudagrass In Northern California Converting to Bermudagrass Fairways Fairway Regrassing — Can You Afford Not To?

In the third part of our fairway regrassing series Knollwood Club superintendent Drew Barnett takes us through converting a mixed stand of cool-season turf to an improved creeping bentgrass. Related: Successful Fairway Regrassing Starts With Proper Planning

In this episode of our fairway regrassing series, we learn about going from bermudagrass to zoysia with no-till sprigging from Brian Powell, director of golf course management at Old Chatham. Related: Old Chatham Golf Club to host 2026 U.S. Girls’ Junior Fairway Conversion From Bermudagrass To Zoysiagrass The Ins And Outs Of Zoysiagrass Fairway Management

In the first part of our multi-episode series on fairway regrassing, we’re joined by John Hoyle, CGCS, superintendent at Corning Country Club in New York. John takes us through the multi-year process of converting fairways to a newer bentgrass variety with improved playability and reduced inputs. Related Articles: Bentgrass Fairway Conversion Improves Playability And Reduces Inputs Successful Fairway Regrassing Starts With Proper Planning Fairway Regrassing — Can You Afford Not To?

Troy Flanagan, director of golf course maintenance at The Olympic Club, discusses the upcoming renovation of the Lake Course, his perspective on hosting USGA championships and more. Related Episodes: Marissa Mar on the Upcoming Gil Hanse Renovation at The Olympic Club US Women’s Open Preparations with Shannon Rouillard and Troy Flanagan

Dr. Jim Brosnan gives his perspective on all things Poa annua, with a focus on the Southeast, as superintendents continue their battle with one of turf’s most problematic weeds. Related Articles: Poa annua: There Wasn't Any Until There Was The Pros and Cons of Poa annua Poa annua Control on Greens

Todd Raisch, superintendent at Ridgewood Country Club, gives us an insider’s view into the famed golf course and his preparations for the 2022 U.S. Amateur.