TurfNet Podcasts

In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, host Brad Klein speaks with Bill Bergin, the newly elected president of the American Society of Golf Course Architects.

Bergin discusses his transition from a PGA Tour player to a prolific golf course architect, reflecting on significant career moments like his performance at the Open Championship at St. Andrews. He shares insights into modern golf course design trends, specifically arguing that the current trend of larger, more undulating putting surfaces benefits elite players while creating disproportionate challenges for average golfers.

The conversation also covers specific design projects, as well as the technical importance of the relationship between architects, contractors and superintendents.

John "Trey" Rogers, Ph.D., of Michigan State University joins Frank to talk about a career spent shaping both playing surfaces and the people who manage them.

Rogers traces his path from civil engineering student to turf researcher at Penn State, where a lucky mistake in the machine shop gave the industry the 2.25-kilogram Clegg hammer still used today.

He shares what nearly four decades of teaching at MSU have taught him about students, and why their passion for the work hasn't changed, even as the technology in their hands has.

Rogers also looks back on growing grass inside the Pontiac Silverdome for the 1994 World Cup and reuniting with former student John Sorochan, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee to deliver sod-on-plastic fields across 16 stadiums for this year's World Cup. With more than 1,100 graduates now running golf courses and sports fields around the world, Rogers' legacy is as much about people as it is about grass.

In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, host Anthony Pioppi interviews golf course architect Jim Nagle of Nagle Design Works.

The discussion focuses on Nagle's work developing a master plan for Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club.

Nagle explores how the evolution of modern player athleticism and driving distance affects course design, specifically regarding the balance between maintaining historic character—such as the club's iconic tree-lined fairways—and the need for strategic challenges like bunker repositioning and green modifications.

They also discuss the impact of tree varieties on turf health and Nagle's professional transition from working under Ron Forse to launching his own design firm.

In this episode Frank, talks with Kerry Haigh, chief championship officer of the PGA of America, about his nearly four-decade career in championship golf.

Haig traces his path from a working-class upbringing in Doncaster, England, through early tournament jobs with the PGA of Great Britain and the LPGA, to eventually building out the PGA of America's championship operations from scratch.

He explains his philosophy on course setup: highlighting a course's natural features rather than manufacturing artificial difficulty, keeping goals aligned with superintendents, and avoiding excessive rough that removes player skill rather than testing it. The conversation also covers new venues like PGA Frisco in Texas, the growing influence of team captains on Ryder Cup course setup, and crowd behavior challenges at Bethpage.

Throughout, Haigh reflects on how data, media scrutiny and player driving distances throughout the duration of his career have transformed the way championship courses are prepared.

Frank caught up with Adam Zubek, the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at La Cumbre Country Club in Santa Barbara. Adam’s career began in golf course agronomy and included leadership positions at some of Canada’s leading clubs. Adam reflects on his transition from superintendent to club executive and why communication, curiosity, and the ability to influence people became central to his leadership style. We discuss building teams around talented people, learning from mentors and colleagues, and creating a culture where department leaders trust and support one another rather than operate in silos. Adam also shares his perspective on the importance of good governance, clear roles, and giving capable people the autonomy to do their jobs. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, self-awareness, and what it takes to lead people successfully across an increasingly complex golf operation.

This TurfNet Renovation Report episode features host Anthony Pioppi interviewing Dennis Hurley about his career and the evolution of golf course drainage. Hurley recounts his journey from a Kentucky upbringing and golf scholarship at Louisiana State University into insurance, chemical distribution, and ultimately founding his drainage company in 1985.

A key turning point was his adaptation of a construction material into what became the “waffle drain” (marketed as Turf Drain), which he helped popularize nationwide despite early business setbacks and industry skepticism.

Hurley also discusses broader trends shaping modern golf course management. There is increasing pressure from owners, players and revenue demands to keep courses open and playable even after heavy rain, unlike in past decades when closures were more accepted. This has driven demand for more advanced and intensive drainage systems, though tensions sometimes arise with architects who prioritize aesthetics over functionality. Hurley concludes that while perfect drainage is impossible, the goal today is to minimize downtime and maintain consistent playing conditions in an industry with far less tolerance for weather-related interruptions.

In this TurfNet Renovation Report podcast episode, host Brad Klein interviews Kurt Kuebler and Tom Wallace from KK&W consulting firm about the critical relationship between leadership and golf course excellence. The discussion explores how successful golf courses require strong leadership not just from superintendents, but coordinated efforts between general managers, golf professionals, and board governance. The guests emphasize that modern superintendents need skills beyond agronomy — they must be effective communicators, financial managers, and team builders who can educate boards and members about necessary investments. The conversation covers the evolution of golf course budgets, with renovation costs now reaching $25-30 million at high-end facilities, and the importance of proper dues structures to support quality operations. They discuss how clubs are increasingly focusing on dues revenue rather than outside events, and touch on innovative food and beverage models like Monterey Peninsula's cost-plus approach. Throughout, Kuebler and Wallace stress that great golf courses result from collaborative leadership teams that can build trust, communicate effectively, and make sound business decisions together.

Peter McCormick, founder of TurfNet, joins Joel Simmons for a candid conversation about retirement after more than three decades serving the golf course industry. Rather than focusing solely on finances, Peter shares the emotional transition of stepping away from a career that defined much of his life, the importance of completely disconnecting from work, and the unexpected relief that comes from simplifying life.

The discussion covers practical retirement planning, including maximizing retirement contributions, understanding Social Security, working with financial advisors, downsizing possessions, avoiding debt, and preparing financially long before retirement arrives. Peter explains how thoughtful planning gave him confidence that retirement could be something to enjoy rather than fear.

Beyond finances, Joel and Peter explore the psychological side of retirement, staying physically active, maintaining purpose, volunteering, mental health, and the value of letting go of possessions and responsibilities that no longer serve you. Peter also reflects on the meaningful relationships he built throughout his career and the touching retirement tribute organized by his family and industry friends.

Whether you're just starting your career or beginning to think about life after work, this episode offers honest advice about preparing for retirement while also reminding us that success isn't measured only by money, but by health, relationships, and living a life with purpose.

In this episode of the TurfNet Renovation Report, host Brad Klein interviews golf architect Matt Schiffer about his career path from civil engineering to golf course design.

Schiffer discusses his transition into the profession through a master's degree in Scotland and his subsequent work with various design offices.

The conversation covers the importance of sustainable golf design, his work with the Golf Environment Organization, and how golf courses can act as biological assets.

Schiffer shares insights on successful renovations, such as his work at Dearborn Country Club and Carlisle Barracks, emphasizing the need for efficient bunker patterns and courses that are accessible to a wide range of skill levels.

He also explores industry trends including the rise of shorter, non-traditional courses and the increasing investment in irrigation infrastructure.

Frank caught up with Ross Niewola, consulting agronomist based in Washington serving the Pacific Northwest for the United States Golf Association.

Frank and Ross discuss his career aspiration of being an agronomist after working all across the continental United States.

Lots of good chatter about communication with golfers and staff, having course care happen in cooperation with golfers not just what happens to them, and preparing and working on championships. Ross brings a wealth of experience in discussions about water and using data.

The PNW is in good hands.

Frank had a chance to catch up with his former graduate student Dr. Carson Nesbella, whose path has taken him from golf course crews and high school ag classrooms to Penn State, the USGA Greenkeeper Apprenticeship Program, and now Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

They talk about Carson’s roots in turfgrass and agricultural education, his Cornell work using environmentally responsible golf courses as living classrooms, the growth of ag education and FFA, the National Turfgrass Science Invitational, First Tee, workforce development, adult learning, and why the future of golf course labor may depend as much on teaching and mentorship as agronomy.