UMass Turf Club Students Place 2nd in National Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition

Four teams of students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Turf Club participated in the 2010 National Collegiate Turf Bowl competition in San Diego, CA on February 11. UMass students Alexander Brooks, Robert Fitzgerald, Noah Goldstein and Timothy Kaija stunned teams from other perennial-winning institutions by taking second place in the competition. This was the highest team finish for UMass students in only the third annual Turf Bowl that UMass has participated in. The other UMass teams placed 15th, 21st, and 27th, an outstanding showing among 67 teams from 31 nationwide colleges and universities. The team that won first place was from Iowa State University.

John Deere Golf sponsored significant cash prizes awarded to turf clubs whose teams finished in the top 10 spots. The UMass Amherst Turf Club received $2,000 for their 2nd place finish (see photos below).

The National Collegiate Turf Bowl is an annual event held at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Educational Conference. This year's competition was an extensive three hour exam on various areas of turfgrass science and management, including turfgrass growth and development, physiology, soils and fertility, pest management, environmental issues, calculations, and business and personnel management.

UMass entered three teams of four students each, and one student who competed as an individual team. The 15th place team included Eric Cronin, Lisa Golden, Royal Healy, and Michael McCormick. The 21st place team included Derek Belanger, Edward Coffin Jr., Scott St. Pierre, and Shawn Wynn. Taking 27th place was William Crosby, who competed alone.

To prepare for the Turf Bowl competition, the participating UMass students met once a week during the fall semester to review subjects in turfgrass management. Several personnel in the Department of Plant, Soil & Insect Sciences (PSIS) assisted the students with their review effort, including faculty members Prasanta Bhowmik, Michelle DaCosta, Scott Ebdon, Geunhwa Jung, and Patricia Vittum. Also assisting were PSIS staff members Laurie Brocklesby and Jason Lanier. PSIS Assistant Professor Michelle DaCosta is the UMass Amherst Turf Club's faculty advisor.

Turf Club members made significant efforts during the fall and spring semesters to raise over $8,000 to help 13 students go to the GCSAA conference (see photo below). Considerable extracurricular fundraising efforts by the students included fertilizing and renovating home lawns, and other various yardwork in the Amherst area. In addition, several turfgrass associations in New England made generous contributions to help pay for travel to the conferences. All in all, participation in these conferences has proven to be a great opportunity for the students to meet and network with turfgrass industry professionals from around the country.

PSIS is proud of the Turf Club students and of the continuing tradition of excellence offered by the UMass Amherst turf program.

2nd Place Winners receive a $2000 Check from GCSAA

left to right: Gregg Breningmeyer (Sales & Marketing Director, John Deere Golf), Dr. Michelle DaCosta (Faculty Advisor), Alexander Brooks, Robert Fitzgerald, Timothy Kaija, Noah Goldstein, and Mark Kuhns (President, GCSAA)

13 UMass Turf Club Members at the GCSAA Conference

top row left to right: Timothy Kaija, Royal Healy, Michael McCormick, Noah Goldstein, Robert Fitzgerald, Alexander Brooks, Lisa Golden, and Eric Cronin
bottom row left to right: Derek Belanger, Edward Coffin Jr., Shawn Wynn, Scott St. Pierre, and William Crosby

UMass Turf Club members & key supporters celebrate win

top row left to right: Laurie Brocklesby (PSIS Staff), Lisa Golden, Royal Healy, Edward Coffin Jr., Scott St. Pierre, William Crosby, Shawn Wynn, and Derek Belanger
bottom row left to right: Michelle DaCosta (Turf Club Faculty Advisor), Michael McCormick, Robert Fitzgerald, Alexander Brooks, Noah Goldstein, Timothy Kaija, Eric Cronin, Pat Vittum (PSIS faculty), and Matthew Kozlowski (past Turf Club president)

CNS Dean and Stockbridge School Director share pride

The 13 UMass Turf Club members who attended the GCSAA Educational Conference proudly display their Turf Bowl 2nd place prize with Steven Goodwin, Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at UMass Amherst (top left) and William Mitchell, Director of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst (top right)

The 2nd place winning team brings it home for UMass

left to right: Robert Fitzgerald, Noah Goldstein, Alexander Brooks, and Timothy Kaija