Something is energizing about getting out of your normal routine for a few days and seeing golf through a different lens. Most of my work as a consulting agronomist happens in the Southeast, where ultradwarf bermudagrass, slow spring greenup, rapid summer growth, heavy play, heat, humidity and tropical weather are part of the normal conversation. So, when I had the chance to spend time with fellow USGA agronomists visiting courses in the Northeast, I was all in.
The Northeast is a completely different agronomic world to me. Instead of talking about bermudagrass recovery or coming out of overseeding, the conversations centered on annual bluegrass, bentgrass, cool-season fertility, summer heat stress and preparing courses for long winters. Every stop had its own challenges, and every superintendent had a story worth hearing. For all the differences, there were also plenty of common themes – including how to handle the huge increase in play over the past several years.
One of the best parts of working for the USGA Green Section is learning from agronomists who have spent years solving problems I do not see every day. Watching them study putting green profiles, talk through drainage issues, and discuss Poa annua management was a good reminder that sound agronomy starts with slowing down and making observations no matter where you are. The small details usually have something to say.
The trip was memorable beyond the turf conversations, too. We drove through small towns, visited historic clubs, and spent plenty of time on tree-lined roads that felt a long way from home. Some mornings started with ocean mist hanging in the air after several rain events. One afternoon ended at a cathedral of golf that had just hosted the U.S. Open, where the focus had already shifted from championship week to the careful work of taking down stands, removing temporary structures, and helping the turf and grounds recover.
Every visit was a chance to trade ideas. I shared some of my thoughts on drought management, aeration strategies, and heavily played golf courses. My colleagues shared their experience with cool-season grasses, trees, moisture management and long-term planning. It was the kind of back-and-forth that makes everyone better. By the time my flight headed south, my notebook was a lot fuller than it had been when I arrived. It had observations, ideas, questions, and a few reminders that I probably needed more than I realized. That is one of my favorite parts of this job.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
Jordan Booth, Ph.D., senior director, USGA Course Consulting Service – jbooth@usga.org
Chris Hartwiger, director, Agronomy – chartwiger@usga.org
Chris Neff, senior agronomist – cneff@usga.org
Mitch Leininger, agronomist - mleininger@usga.org