Penn State Turfgrass Science Program Continues National Winning Streak
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Students from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have once again demonstrated their expertise, securing multiple accolades at two prominent national turfgrass competitions and earning a collective $25,000 in prize money. The recent successes underscore the program’s consistent excellence and dedication to cultivating future leaders in the turfgrass industry. These students include Timothy McGrane, James Cowden, Sean Endler, Carter Marshall, Brian Seltzer, Jacob Straw, Joe Rader, Joe Lofland, Tyler Bechtel, Wilson Kreitz, Ernesto Martinez, Christina Bender, Gavin Wilson, Gus Holt, Mac Chaloupka, Alic Schuster, Jaime Canal Campos, and Jake Blewitt. (Credit: Contributed Photo)
Dominating the Sports Field Management Challenge
In January, a contingent of 12 Penn State students, divided into three teams, participated in the Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA) Student Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas. This event, coinciding with the SFMA’s annual conference and trade show, provides a platform for undergraduate students to showcase their knowledge of sports field management practices. The competition encompasses a broad spectrum of topics, from identifying turfgrass species and diagnosing plant diseases to understanding irrigation principles and pest control strategies.
One of the University’s four-year teams – consisting of Wilson Kreitz, Joseph Lofland, Carter Marshall, and Jacob Straw – achieved first place, successfully defending their championship title from the previous year. A second four-year team, featuring Christina Bender, Jake Blewitt, Timothy McGrane, and Jacob Straw, secured a commendable fourth-place finish among a field of 20 teams. This marks the fifth time a Penn State four-year team has claimed victory at this event since 2016. The two-year team, comprised of Jaime Canal Campos, Ernesto Martinez, Augustus Holt, and Tyler Bechtel, followed with a strong second-place showing.
Securing Another Victory at the Golf Course Superintendents Association Turf Bowl
Further solidifying their national standing, three teams from Penn State competed at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Turf Bowl in Orlando, Florida, in February. This highly regarded competition assesses students’ comprehensive understanding of golf course management, preparing them for future roles as superintendents. The Turf Bowl challenges participants through written case studies, multiple-choice exams, visual identification tasks, and short-answer questions, simulating the real-world challenges faced by golf course professionals.
The team of Wilson Kreitz, Joseph Lofland, Carter Marshall, and Jacob Straw again took first place, marking the program’s seventh national title since 2015 and a repeat win from the previous year. Their performance, along with additional placements, resulted in a total of $25,000 in awards, which will be allocated towards funding future student participation in these vital industry events. Ben McGraw, associate professor of turfgrass science and the team’s academic advisor, expressed immense pride in the students’ accomplishments, emphasizing their dedication, work ethic, and collaborative spirit. McGraw noted that the students’ success highlights both their technical proficiency and their ability to thrive under pressure, skills essential for leadership and success in the profession.
