DelVal Turf Program

I just finished compiling the Delaware Valley University golf team records. If you played for the Aggies, please let me know if there are mistakes or if you have any additions.https://athletics.delval.edu/documents/2024/2/8/Golf_Records_Jan_2024.pdf

Today for lecture, the turf class went to Lookaway GC to experience drill and fill aeration done by Double D Turf. Students love learning like this at DelVal

Learning about PPE today in our Pesticides course. Thanks Ty Gossel for modeling

Guest speaker and DelVal Turf alum Chuck Perkins telling the class how he got interested in turf and how he started his own business called South Jersey Turf Consultants

Thanks Charlie Koennecker of Finch Turf for showing my class equipment and explaining the role an equipment distributor plays in the turf industry.

These students just returned from attending the GCSAA conference and competing in the Turf bowl against 27 other universities. Most of their trip was paid for by donations to our turf program. Thank you to all the donors for helping create this experience they will never forget

4 students and I met up with some alumni last night at the GCSAA conference in Phoenix. I enjoyed watching them interact with each other, passing on advice to the students. Plus the alumni picked up the bill at the restaurant. I love the Aggie family

Helping superintendents recruit and retain employees at the GCSAA conference in Phoenix. 4 hours of interaction with Bill Maynard is a blast

Students collecting data to determine their pace factor. How many feet they travel in one pace

The audience had great questions today at SiteOne University in Atlantic City. Thanks Robin Sherred for asking me to speak

The speakers did well yesterday at the PAGCS winter education day. It included a former Del Val student Josh Burnside, golf course architect Gil Hanse, and fellow Dr. Watschke grad student Darin Brevard of the USGA.

Sad news about Jim Koontz. He was a '95 Delaware Valley University Delaware Valley University Alumni and Friends grad in the sports turf industry SFMA - Sports Field Management Association. Early in his career he improved the fields at Cumberland Valley HS so much that eventually he became Facilities Director.

James L. Koontz, Jr. Obituary 2023 - Hoffman Funeral Home & Crematory View James L. Koontz, Jr.'s obituary, send flowers and find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

2 students joined me at NJ Green Expo. Here they are with 3 alumni. They got to practice their conversation skills with about 30 alums we met. The DelVal Friends of Turf paid for their trip.

Results of the first land surveying Olympics at DelVal. Winners were the closest ones to the average. Marabelle won a doc Linde dollar and team Gauge won candy

What happens to putting green organic matter values if samples included core holes recently filled with sand. I've been doing a study looking into this. Stay tuned

Good day to walk Ginkgo Lane today and experience DelVal history

Turf class trip to Lincoln Financial Field home of the Philadelphia Eagles on screen free Friday. Thanks, Tony Leonard and Eddie Harbaugh for the tour

Thanks James Bryson and Brian Chapin for showing my class some putting green construction today on screen free Friday. Labar golf is renovating some greens at Bedens Brook GC. James is the superintendent and is a DelVal Turf grad

Thanks Delaware Valley University for letting me finish my 2020 sabbatical to New Zealand the past 8 weeks. Visited public garden managers for Longwood Gardens, NZ Sports Turf Institute turf consultants, and golf course superintendents. Did it with my son.

Contribute to the DelVal Turf program through today's A-Day of Giving campaign. We used funds to send these students on a weekend to Pikewood and Out Door CC to golf and meet the superintendents and learn about how they maintain their courses
https://www.givecampus.com/schools/DelawareValleyUniversity/a-day-of-giving
Under Designation select Academic then Turf Management.

DelVal is running a Campaign to raise $ for student activities called A-Day of Giving. In Dec, these 6 students attended a turf conference that was paid for with funds from the DelVal "Friends of Turf" fund. If you want to help fund these kind of student activities you can give to the campaign and target your gift to "Friends of Turf". Select "Other" and type in Friends of Turf
https://www.givecampus.com/69z5wl

Thanks John Kmitta GreenMediaMags SFMA - Sports Field Management Association for the excellent article about our turf program at Delaware Valley University

College and University Turfgrass Programs: DelVal Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Delaware Valley University graduate Nick Dolimpio is hosting the best female golfers in the world at his course this week. As head superintendent he is responsible for the playing conditions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club. While at DelVal, he studied turf and played golf for Delaware Valley University Athletics, LPGA, Hilton Grand Vacations, GCSAA

I'm jealous! My turf student & golfer Robby Meredith is in Hawaii this week volunteering for the Sentry TOC Kapalua Golf. Learning how they maintain courses in Hawaii and watching the best golfers in the world. He'll be leading the Delaware Valley University Athletics golf team in spring. Delaware Valley University

Congrats '16 grad Bob Marterella on becoming head superintendent at Old York Road Country Club Spring House, PA. His hard work and commitment paid off. While at Delaware Valley University, Bob studied turf and played golf and football for Delaware Valley University Athletics

Kentucky to Okinawa, Japan! One of my turf grads, Steve Babcock, recently moved to the island in the Pacific to be superintendent at Taiyo GC. https://www.okinawa.usmc-mccs.org/about/other-camps/taiyo-golf-club/taiyo-golf-course
Delaware Valley University

While at the NJ Green Expo conference last week, I ran into 30 alumni in turf including Steve McDonald, one of the top turf consultants in the country. My students got to me him and many of the Aggie alumni. Was like a family reunion Delaware Valley University New Jersey Turfgrass Association Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey

Recently took 6 students to the NJ Green Expo turf conference in Atlantic City. Great conference experience for these young turf professionals. Their entire trip cost was covered by donors to the
Delaware Valley University turf program "Friends of Turf" account. Thanks New Jersey Turfgrass Association for a discounted student rate. Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey

More photos from our weekend golf trip to Hidden Creek Golf Club. The turf students got to experience a high-end resort course from the customer's point of view. Name plates on locker, concierge, staff handled our bags, private putting green, fire pit, and luxurious rooms. Dormie Network Delaware Valley University Delaware Valley University Athletics

Thanks '13 grad Eric Junkins, Hidden Creek Golf Club , & Dormie Network for hosting 13 Delaware Valley University turf students and I for a 2 day golf trip with 5 star accommodation & service. That was generous to do that for these future golf superintendents and I. Eric is the head superintendent and studied turf and played golf for me at Delaware Valley University Athletics