Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins catch up with our friend—and returning EarthWorks Podcast guest—Walter Pritchett, Superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Walter recently hosted the ISCO Championship at his course, where Jack had the chance to volunteer. In this episode, Walter shares insights on the prep, the pressure, and the payoff of managing his first PGA tournament. If you're not familiar with Hurstbourne CC, it's one of Louisville’s hidden gems—steeped in history ...
Jul 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, located in the Fort Myers area of Florida, is a high-traffic public facility with over 55,000 rounds of golf played annually. That alone is a big responsibility for any golf course superintendent—but add in 1,300 homes around the property, all of which rely on the course's irrigation system, and the job becomes even more complex. That’s the daily reality for Tim Kortanek. We met Tim last year at a Soil First Academy event at John Riley’s property on Longboat ...
Jul 10, 2025•1 hr 4 min
If you're looking to learn a methodical, consistent—and surprisingly peaceful—approach to greenkeeping, this episode is for you. Dave Wood gets the job done with a smile, and Stockton University's greenkeeping success has earned international recognition. After hosting Brazil’s CR Flamengo—one of the world’s most popular sports franchises—Stockton is now a sought-after training base for the 2026 World Cup in North America. You'll enjoy meeting Dave and hearing the key tips and insights he shares...
Jul 03, 2025•33 min
In this episode, Charlie Aubry, Director of Agronomy at East Lake, discusses his early career, East Lake’s renovation, and year-round preparation for the Tour Championship. He shares insights on turfgrass choices, design considerations, community involvement, and what makes the course’s conditioning world-class—plus some personal favorites in a lightning round. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ 2 Minute Turf Talks: h...
Jun 26, 2025•59 min
On this episode of the EarthWorks Podcast, step back into the early days of the United States. We visit Liberty Hall Museum in Union, New Jersey, adjacent to Kean University and once home to a founding family, including a signer of the Constitution and the first elected governor of New Jersey. Kayla Doyle, Curator of Archives, sets the stage with historical context before Megan Couch, Assistant Director of Grounds, and Jeff Eckert, Director of Buildings and Grounds, join us for a lively discussi...
Jun 19, 2025•58 min
Armen Suny returns to the podcast, and once again, he delivers valuable insights that are essential listening for anyone in the golf industry. In this episode, Armen dives into current hiring trends and what clubs are truly looking for in today’s superintendents. He emphasizes the growing importance of leadership and why it's critical for professionals, especially those early in their careers, to invest in leadership training now.We also explore the increasing demand for full time and part time ...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 6 min
In this episode, Kirk Castner takes us through his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to a career in turf and agronomy. He shares how he transitioned from fieldwork to sales at EarthWorks, all while juggling work, family life, and earning two master’s degrees. The conversation explores the inner workings of product manufacturing, supply chain challenges—including the surprising ripple effects of bird flu—and the evolving landscape of organic demand and carbon-based construction. Kirk also ...
Jun 05, 2025•55 min
Biological soil management isn’t just theory—it’s real, and every now and then, we meet someone who proves it in remarkable ways. At a recent EarthWorks Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, we had the pleasure of meeting Zac Ramey, a young golf course superintendent with a powerful success story. Zac introduced himself to Joel Simmons and shared how he transformed the soil profile at the Country Club of Spartanburg, where he serves as Director of Agronomy. When he took the role seven years ago...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Ryan Kuster of Ag Enterprise joins Kevin for an in-depth conversation on the future of sprayer technology. Together, they unpack the mechanics, precision, and innovation driving the evolution of modern turf sprayers. Ryan shares real-world insights and highlights some of Ag Enterprise’s most unique custom projects, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology is enhancing application accuracy and operational efficiency. From GPS integration to data-driven systems, this episode is ess...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 9 min
John Reilly joins us to delve into the evolving topic of organic matter in golf greens. There’s been considerable discussion across the industry about how to best test organic matter, with new methods like the OM 2, 4, 6 tests gaining traction. Our key question for John was: Do these tests differentiate between beneficial and harmful organic matter? Anyone familiar with John knows he’s one of the most data-driven superintendents in the business. He’s been collecting and analyzing data on this ve...
May 15, 2025•57 min
We're coming to you from the hallowed athletic fields of LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Our guest, Jeremy Tredway—Director of Athletic Fields and Grounds at LSU—shares what it takes to manage 18 intensely active acres. A standout example: Alex Box Stadium, home to LSU Baseball, hosts an incredible 350 events each year. Jeremy dives into the challenges of maintaining overseeded ryegrass on Celebration Bermudagrass amid the region’s hot, humid climate. We're heading straight into the heart of SEC ...
May 08, 2025•51 min
The first rounds of the PGA Championship begin on May 15th, but the preparation to make it all happen started well over a year ago. That’s something Keith Wood, Director of Green and Grounds at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, knows all too well. He’s been at Quail Hollow for 10 years and has hosted a tournament every year, including the 2017 PGA Championship. We talked about what it takes to set up an event of this scale—from the agronomy and course preparation to the massive phy...
May 01, 2025•43 min
Kevin interviews Zach Bauer, CGCS, and Dan Frederiksen, offering a compelling glimpse into the minds of two next-generation superintendents with distinct approaches. Dan champions data-driven precision, employing advanced sensors and analytics to inform his decisions. In contrast, Zach relies on intuition, experience, and real-time observation to guide his turf management. Though their philosophies differ, both are united by a shared commitment to excellence, adaptability, and using the tools th...
Apr 24, 2025•56 min
Jack Higgins and Joel Simmons, two passionate agronomists, sat down and shot the breeze on some of their favorite topics. First up was the cold, wet spring that many areas of the country are battling—and one superintendent’s struggle to get his Zoysia grass to green up in the chilly conditions. The conversation turned to rhizophagy, a fascinating and increasingly popular subject in the regenerative agriculture world. Rhizophagy refers to a symbiotic relationship between soil microbes and plant r...
Apr 17, 2025•42 min
What a treat it was to walk and talk with Olee on what might be the most beautiful lawn in America. There are U.S. Open golf courses that would envy his uninterrupted, three-acre pure stand of turf-type tall fescue, mowed at a pristine 3.25 inches. As we strolled, Olee shared stories about soil building and broke down his annual fertilizer plan. He keeps it simple, stays consistent—and the results are out of this world! Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.ea...
Apr 10, 2025•34 min
Lawrence Mayhew, chemist extraordinaire, is back by popular demand! This time, we explored how microbiology helps buffer toxin buildup in soil, with a strong focus on managing sodium through the soil’s microbial biome. As expected, humic substances took center stage in our discussion with a world-renowned expert in the field. Lawrence broke down the physical and biological damage sodium can inflict on soil, reinforcing EarthWorks' long-held belief that sodium and bicarbonates are the first major...
Apr 03, 2025•58 min
Golf course superintendents and sports field managers often dream of landing a great job as a grounds manager at a top school close to home. Tom Barry has been living that dream for over 12 years as the grounds manager at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. Greens Farms Academy is a private PreK-12 school situated just off the Long Island Sound. Its 45-acre campus includes gardens, turf, athletic fields, and naturalized areas—all managed by Tom and his four-person crew. They maintain ...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Kevin Cooper spent over 25 years as a golf course superintendent in Kentucky, Ohio, and Houston, Texas, where the weather was tough and growing grass was a challenge. A technical and data-driven professional, he holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, which positioned him well for his current role as a digital sales specialist at Syngenta. His position is a new one at the company, and he is one of only four specialists—all former turf managers—who have helped launch Syngenta’s GreenCast Connec...
Mar 20, 2025•1 hr 3 min
This week’s EarthWorks Podcast features a lively conversation between EarthWorks agronomists Kevin Hicks and Joel Simmons. As always, they covered a lot of ground, focusing on key takeaways from this year’s trade shows and the latest industry buzz. With the season ramping up, staying informed on emerging trends is essential. The discussion begins with how carbon-based fertility is reshaping the industry—from major synthetic fertilizer companies to new entrants in the market. Kevin noted that at ...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this engaging podcast interview, Jon Kiger shares his diverse background and his journey to becoming a key figure at TurfNet. From an early age, Jon was immersed in publicity and promotion—starting as a magician at age 12 and later developing a passion for media at Phillips Exeter Academy, where he managed the campus radio station. His experience in journalism and advertising shaped his approach to media sales and content creation. Jon discusses TurfNet’s transition from print to digital, a p...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Matt was incredibly open in this interview, sharing great stories from Sylacauga to Skidaway Island. He grew up working on the farm at Farmstead, and since graduating college, he has spent the last 13 years with The Landings Golf & Athletic Club, working on every course. He provides fascinating insights into the construction and regrassing of many of the club’s six courses. Matt also highlights how adding KVantage to his soil spray was a game-changer, reducing the wilt point of his TifEagle ...
Feb 27, 2025•42 min
Who’s ready to tune in as John and Jack dive into a discussion about Poa annua greens and their passion project, Lehigh Country Club? In forty years, John has come full circle. In 1990, he fumigated the greens and seeded a pure stand of bentgrass. Both Lehigh and John have continued to evolve over the years. If you’re passionate about classic golf courses—especially if you manage Poa annua—this episode is for you. Don’t miss our discussion on the newly available Poa annua seed! Visit EarthWorks ...
Feb 20, 2025•45 min
We had an incredible time at the GIS Trade Show in San Diego, California! It was great reconnecting with old friends and meeting new ones. Jack Higgins had the opportunity to welcome many guests onto our couch for insightful conversations about the GIS event and their experiences with EarthWorks. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth, joined us at the House of Blues, or attended our cocktail reception. Your support and enthusiasm made this year’s show truly special! Visit Ea...
Feb 13, 2025•43 min
We revisit a previously recorded podcast with Dave Wilber from December 2021. In this episode, we discussed some of the key elements of completing a successful renovation project and what to watch out for. It serves as a lead-in to a future podcast where we’ll feature several clients who have recently completed major renovation projects. They’ll each highlight the keys to their success and share what they would do differently if given the chance. Dave is always a fan favorite, and this was one o...
Feb 06, 2025•52 min
The three-legged stool analogy reminds us of the essential balance between soil chemistry, physics, and biology. While chemistry is relatively easy to test and analyze, and we have reliable tools for assessing soil physics, soil biology has remained more elusive. Laura Decker’s company, MicroBiometer, has developed a simple, handheld meter that provides valuable insights into fungal and bacterial populations in any given soil. For years, we have searched for a way to both quantify and qualify li...
Jan 30, 2025•59 min
The highlight of our work is meeting individuals who are deeply passionate about what they do. Jay Werbalowsky, Golf Course Superintendent at Wallkill Golf Club, shares captivating greenkeeping stories and vividly describes the golf courses that sparked his love for golf and greenkeeping. Visit EarthWorks at: https://www.earthworksturf.com Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/ 2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/...
Jan 23, 2025•42 min
Justin Mandon has been a guest on the podcast in the past, and we wanted to bring him back to discuss the reconstruction of the Alister MacKenzie-designed Pasatiempo Golf Club in Santa Cruz, California. This may be one of the best reconstructions we’ve seen in years, but it was not without its challenges. The work was broken into two parts: the front nine was completed first, and a year later, they worked on the back nine. Justin talks about selecting and testing the greens mix both at the mine ...
Jan 16, 2025•54 min
Dave Wilber may very well be one of the best agronomy minds in the turf industry. A close friend of EarthWorks for over 30 years, he has appeared on numerous EarthWorks Podcasts and is one of our most popular guests. Dave spent many years as a golf course superintendent, much of his career as a turf consultant, and he has also been a site manager for construction projects. One of his greatest strengths is his in-depth knowledge of irrigation water concerns, and he has helped many superintendents...
Jan 09, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Each year between the holidays we run a “Best of” podcast where we choose one guest from each of our three podcast hosts and share a piece of the podcast recording. It is always a challenge to choose what we call “the best” when each week we have an informative and fun guest who is passionate about turf. So to all of our guests we say thank you because you all have made the EarthWorks Podcast one of the most listened to in the industry. For the “Best of” we have chosen the Jack Higgins interview...
Jan 02, 2025•53 min
At the end of each year the EarthWorks agronomy team gets together for the last podcast of the year. Kevin Hicks, Kirk Castner, Jack Higgins, Joel Simmons and newcomer Marshall Evans go around the table talking about the events of the year, the weather, and some ideas that we have formulated throughout the turf season. It was hot and dry in most corners of the country, even more so in the east and south than the west but it was a tough year all around. Of course, we talked about the many success...
Dec 26, 2024•38 min
