MIDLOTHIAN — The 2024-25 session of the Virginia Tech School of Turfgrass Ecology and Management (VT-STEM)—a 13-week training course in the principles of turfgrass ecology and management through both synchronous and asynchronous learning—was recently completed. The Virginia State Golf Association provided grants to over 30 students, each of whom were employees at VSGA member clubs, allowing for those interested in breaking into or advancing in the turfgrass industry to take the class free of charge.
VT-STEM is a comprehensive introductory turfgrass training program that works around busy work and family schedules. The program, held entirely online, is intended to primarily serve the educational needs of those without formal training in turfgrass science, but are either employed in or have interest in working in the turfgrass industry.
This was the fifth year that the program was held, but the first year that the VSGA grant allowed free access to staff members at VSGA member clubs. The course ran from November 1, 2024, through January 10, 2025.
“Turf management is a fundamental part of the golf industry and impacts the golfer experience daily. When we learned of the VT-STEM program, we felt it was a great way for the VSGA to serve golf in Virginia by helping employees of golf courses increase their knowledge of turfgrass ecology and management. Dr. Goatley, Dr. Sandor, and the entire VT Turfgrass Team offer a wealth of knowledge and experience and the feedback from participants in the program has been incredibly positive,” said VSGA Executive Director, Matt Smiley.
Students heard from all members of the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team and had opportunities to meet with them online for two hours every Wednesday night. Each week, the students were given pre- and post-training quizzes to evaluate their understanding of a subject, and all students that passed all 13 post-training quizzes were awarded the VT-STEM badge, which also provides the student the opportunity to participate in the Virginia Tech Certified Turfgrass Professional (CTP) program.
This special certification program requires the students to become VDACS-approved Certified Fertilizer Applicators and to pass comprehensive exams in the areas of in 1) Turfgrass and Pest Identification, Adaptation, and Management, 2) General Turfgrass Agronomy and Cultural Programs, 3) Best Management Practices in Water Quality and Environmental Protection, and 4) Turfgrass Mathematics. All CTPs then have continuing education requirements each winter to maintain their CTP status.
“The VT Turfgrass Team strongly believes that the investment in time, effort, and financial support leads to personal and professional development of the students and ultimately benefits the game of golf through a labor force that is better educated on how to deliver higher quality playing conditions through environmentally responsible management decisions,” said Dr. Mike Goatley, Virginia Tech Professor and Turfgrass Extension Specialist.
Topics discussed during the 13-week session included soil science principles, irrigation principles, mowing principles, turfgrass disease management, and review of turfgrass mathematics, among other topics.
This year’s school and certification program formally closed on March 31. The following students received both STEM and CTP badges in 2024-25: Michael Crouch (Ashley Plantation), Caleb Dotson (Shenandoah Valley GC), Cassidy Mitchell (Two Rivers CC), Joseph Moreno (Kingsmill Resort), Joshua Phillips (Boonsboro CC), and Grayden Sauerwein (Farmington CC).
The following students received STEM badges in 2024-25: Joseph Alvaro (Cutalong GC), Jose Barahona (Springfield G&CC), Berkley Boettner (Salisbury CC), Will Kujawa (Cutalong GC), Caleb McKinney (Lake Chesdin GC), Tim Perkins (Giles CC), Kyle Rackley (Kinloch GC), Bradley Ragland (Cutalong GC), Ian Sikes (Ballyhack GC), Robert Starcher (The Federal Club), and Joseph Tabor (Stumpy Lake GC).
“Our congratulations to all and our thanks to VSGA for the support of the students and our educational outreach programming, but most of all for the opportunity provided to these students to expand their knowledge in the turfgrass sciences,” Goatley said.
The VSGA and VT-STEM plan to continue their partnership into the 2025-26 season.
“This program was one that I had been hopeful would come to fruition for years,” said Mark Cote, VSGA board member and former superintendent at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. “The need for labor on golf courses has been an issue for a long time. This program is one that takes the labor you do have and provides them with the basic science behind Turfgrass Management. This provides superintendents and their courses with someone who can make decisions based on that newfound knowledge and who hopefully will become a better, more efficient, and knowledgeable employee. Is there a downside to this? I can’t see it.
“There are some secondary benefits as well. At the end of the STEM program, the students have the option to take the Certified Turf Professional exam to become certified. For some this may be the beginning of furthering their education to the point of getting a degree in Turf Management. This then becomes a pipeline for future Technicians, foremen, Assistants and superintendents.
“This is a win-win all the way around. This VSGA/VT partnership has the potential to develop in other areas as well, all to the benefit of golf in the state of Virginia.”