Turfgrass Management Schools

The health of grass on a golf course must be carefully maintained.

A turfgrass manager maintains the grass on golf courses and sporting arenas. He inspects the turf for damaging insects, fungus and poor growth. The job is important to ensure that the grass does not impede the ability to play the related sport. Turfgrass management schools train turfgrass managers to correct problems and maintain healthy grass.

Northeast

Rutgers University's Golf Turf Management School offers three programs in turfgrass management. The two-year certificate program asks students to participate in 10 weeks of classroom learning and nine months of practical application each year of the program. Courses include botany and physiology of turfgrass and ornamentals, golf turf math, turfgrass disease identification and tournament preparation strategies. A three-week golf course management short course is offered to help golf course turfgrass managers refine technical skills, learn new techniques to manage employees and possibly discover career opportunities. Turfgrass managers take a two-day training course in repair and maintenance of irrigation systems. University of Connecticut offers an Associates of Applied Science in horticulture and turfgrass management through the Ratcliff Hick's School of Agriculture. The program is rigorous, requiring students to take 16 credit hours per semester to complete the degree in two years.

Southwest

College of the Desert, in Palm Desert, California, offers an associate's degree and a one-year certificate in turfgrass management. The area boasts 75 working golf courses for hands-on learning. Day and evening courses are available to accommodate work schedules. Texas State Technical College offers an associate degree in golf course and landscape management. Courses include specialized turfgrass management, turfgrass maintenance, landscape construction and introduction to irrigation.

Midwest

Students of Joliet Junior College in Joilet, Illiniois, may obtain an Associate of Applied Science in turfgrass management. The program includes 19 weeks of hands-on learning. Training includes tree and pest management, landscape design, mechanics and electrical controls. Michigan State University students may obtain a bachelor's degree in Turfgrass Management. An 18-month certificate program is also offered in golf turf management. Students may also opt for a general sports and commercial turf management certificate to open up career possibilities.

Southeast

Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, offers three programs in turfgrass management. Students may study toward an associates in applied science, a diploma in turfgrass technology, and a certificate in turgrass technology with a specialization in turfgrass management. Florida Southern University offers a bachelor's degree in recreational turfgrass management. The degree is a joint effort between the department of horticulture and the business and economics department. Students can choose to take courses in marketing, economics, and finance to enhance qualification for golf course and resort management jobs.

References

• Rutgers University: Professional Golf Turf Management School
• Rutgers University: Repair and Maintenance of Golf Course Irrigation Systems
• College of the Desert: Turfgrass Management
• University of Connecticut: Turfgrass Management Program
• Central Piedmont Community College: Programs of Study
• Florida Southern University: Recreational Turfgrass Management

Resources

• Rutgers University: New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
• University of Connecticut: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Michigan State University: Academic Areas of Turfgrass Studies
• Texas State Technical College: Golf Course & Landscape Management Associate Degree
• College of the Desert: Campus Map
• Florida Southern University: About
• Texas State Technical College: About
• Michigan State University: Extension