Education in Turf and Grounds Mangement at the University of Wisconsin-Madison offers an opportunity to get involved in a lucrative and highly respected profession. The program offers a unique opportunity for students who want a broad education as well as a specialty. Turf and Grounds Management incorporates the principles embodied in soil science, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, landscape architecture, ecology, business mangement and public relations to prepare you for a highly successful career.

The program culminates in a four-year Bachelor of Science degree. It was founded in 1961 by Professor James R. Love and directed by him until 1986. Today, Professor Wayne Kussow leads the program in Soil Science along with Dr. John Stier in Horticulture. It was Professor Love's philosophy that a strong knowledge of the basic sciences coupled with field training is essential for success. This philosophy continues today.

CURRENTLY

Enrollment in the program annually ranges between 25-30 students. Graduates have little difficultly obtaining positions as golf course superintendents, assistant golf course superintendents, lawn care specialists, turf product sales personnel, institution grounds supervisors, athletic field managers and landscape specialists.

For additional information, not included here, contact:

Dr. Wayne Kussow
Department of Soil Science
1525 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 263-3631
wrkussow@facstaff.wisc.edu

OR

Dr. John Stier
Department of Horticulture
1575 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
(608) 262-1624
jstier@facstaff.wisc.edu

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

Is a career in Turf and Grounds Management right for you?

Choosing an enjoyable and rewarding career is a difficult decision. The following questions should help you decide if a career in Turf and Grounds Management would be to your liking:

1. Are you prepared to continue your study of the basic sciences (mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology for example) to gain knowledge of soil science, horticulture, agronomy, plant pathology and agricultural engineering as they apply to turf and grounds management?
2. Are you willing to undertake field training while attending college?
3. Are you interested in continuing education necessary in a changing technical field?
4. Do you receive personal gratification from physical labor and accomplishments that you can see?
5. Do you enjoy working outdoors in all types of weather and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings?
6. Are you willing to work as many hours per day as it takes to get a job done?
7. Are you willing to assume a variety of responsibilities that range from record keeping and budgeting to equipment repair and tree pruning?
8. Do you desire leadership and supervisory responsibilities?
9. Do you enjoy working with people as well as equipment?
10. Are you self-motivated?

If you answered "yes" to most, if not all these questions, chances are excellent that you are up to the challenges of a career in turf and grounds management.

Why pursue a four-year degree?

The answer to this question lies in the broad-based, highly-respected education that a four-year degree offers. Many two-year schools offer excellent technical training in turf and grounds management. However, they lack the additional two years of education that provide a well rounded education. Four-year college students first receive a strong background in the social, mathematical, communication, physical and biological sciences. This is the foundation which students use to progress to advanced courses related to turfgrass management.

Since the four-year degree is so widely recognized, the graduate has a variety of options for employment, increased flexibility to change careers or to pursue advanced degrees and further expand employment opportunities. Four years of college education provides even footing with other professionals in our society. By the year 2004, golf course superintendents who wish to become certified by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will be required to have fours years of college education.

CURRICULUM

Students in the Turf and Grounds Program are offered two options of early study: Production/Management or Business/Sales. The Business/Sales option requires 15 credit hours related to business and economics. The Production/Management option requires 15 credit hours related to agricultural engineering, agronomy and horticulture.

All students are required to satisfy the following course curriculum:

A total of 124 degree credits are required for graduation. The program's curriculum sheet provides specific details and requirements. Copies can be obtained from Dr. Kussow or Dr. Stier.

FIELD TRAINING

Strong emphasis is placed on professional work experience. Students gain knowledge of equipment operation, landscape construction, drainage, pesticide use and application, irrigation, fertilization and other crucial practices. Students usually work full-time in the summer and part-time during the school year. Placement for summer employment is virtually guaranteed thanks to support from the program's alumni. Alumni include a network of golf course superintendents, lawn care managers, landscape managers, and sales personnel for companies specializing in turf products. Additionally, faculty are able to place students through other professional contacts across the nation and internationally.

Students can receive up to 8 credits during their field training through the internship program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Students may also enroll in Soil Science or Horticulture 299 (Special Topics) or 699 (Special Problems). This allows pursuit of topics of special concern via literature reviews, writing, term papers or the actual conduct of research projects in the senior year.

FACULTY

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has many highly qualified faculty available to deal with various aspects of turf and grounds management. Those currently involved in turfgrass extension and research on a continuous basis are:

• Dr. Wayne Kussow-Soil Science
• Dr. Geunhwa Jung-Plant Pathology
• Dr. John Stier-Horticulture
• Dr. Mike Casler-Agronomy
• Dr. Chris Williamson-Entomology

FACILITIES

The cornerstone of the UW-Madison Turfgrass Program is the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility. The facility is adjacent to UW's championship golf course-University Ridge. Proximity to the UW-Madison campus provides students full access to both facilities and the opportunity to significantly enhance the quality of their educational experience. The Noer facility has research and demonstration plots that are used for teaching purposes, as well as a fully video-equipped classroom. Turfgrass laboratories are held at the Facility to conduct hands-on exercises that stress understanding of the latest turfgrass technology. (click here for more information on the Noer Facility)

SCHOLARSHIP AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Wisconsin's turf related industries and organizations are highly supportive of the turfgrass program. There are currently 9 scholarships specifically available to qualified Turf and Grounds students. Other forms of financial assistance are college scholarships, loans, grants and work study programs. A brochure detailing all these forms of financial assistance is available from the Office of Academic Student Affairs, Room 116 Agriculture Hall, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706.

TURFGRASS IN WISCONSIN, ASSOCIATIONS, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

Turfgrass is big business in Wisconsin. In fact, turfgrass ranks third in terms of Wisconsin's top crop values. The estimated annual expenditures on turfgrass maintenance in Wisconsin are rapidly approaching $1 billion. Wisconsin is home to more than 500 golf courses. Currently, six major turfgrass equipment manufacturers in the U.S. are headquartered or have manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin.

Associations such as the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association (WGCSA), Wisconsin Turfgrass Association (WTA), Wisconsin Sports Turf Managers Association (WSTMA), Wisconsin Landscape Federation (WLF), and the Wisconsin Sod Producers Association (WSPA) promote professionalism, education, research, and unity in the turf industry. Student memberships to several organizations are available. (go to links)

Continuing education is essential in a rapidly changing technical field. During monthly meetings, the WGCSA hosts speakers who discuss timely topics in turfgrass management. THE GRASS ROOTS, a bimonthly publication of the WGCSA, keeps Wisconsin's turf managers up-to-date on developments in turfgrass management. A summer field day and winter conference organized by the WTA along with UW Extension, offers the chance to examine research plots and review their results. A Wisconsin Golf Turf Symposium promotes continuing education during a two-day conference that focuses entirely on golf turf. These are only a few of the continuing education opportunities offered throughout the state. (click for more information and upcoming dates)

BADGER TURF AND GROUNDS CLUB

The Badger Turf and Grounds Club was formed in 1987 for the purpose of enhancing the professional development of its members. Activities include speakers from various segments of the turf and grounds industry, golf course tours, manufacturing plant tours, group discussions and participation in turf conferences. Members gain experience and revenue for the club by working on special projects, such as aerifying greens on local golf courses. Meetings are usually held bimonthly. (link to the Badger Turf and Grounds Club home page)

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is a land-grant institution founded in 1849. It consists of nine schools and three colleges on a single campus. The national "Selective Guide to Colleges" gives UW-Madison the highest rank among Big 10 schools in overall programs for students. Undergraduate enrollment is about 44,000 students. Due to its size, the university is able to offer a large diversity of student services. Health and financial services, 24 primary libraries, intercollegiate and intramural sports, two student unions, more than 650 student organizations and four student/faculty recreation facilities, are just a few examples. The campus is situated on hilly terrain overlooking the shores of Lake Mendota. Most who attend UW-Madison agree that the social atmosphere, architecture, landscape and natural beauty of the campus are the finest anywhere.

GRADUATE STUDIES

The UW-Turfgrass Faculty conduct basic and applied research in Horticulture, Agronomy, Soil Science, Plant Pathology, Entomology and Agricultural Engineering. This research provides thesis research opportunities for students interested in pursuing M.S. or Ph.D. degrees.

Research assistantships are available to qualified students. These assistanships offer financial support while students pursue their degree. Funding for the assistantships is provided by organizations such as the Wisconsin Turfgrass Association, the United States Golf Association and the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research Foundation.

The UW Turfgrass program is currently working to establish graduate fellowships in the five departments that make up the Turfgrass Program. In the summer of 2000 the first fellowship was dedicated to Dr. Wayne Kussow at Summer Field Day. For more information on this and the establishment of the other fellowships please click here.