Bayer selects 2014 Plant Health Academy class

Environmental Science, a division of Bayer CropScience LP, announced the class of golf course superintendents selected to participate in the second annual Plant Health Academy.  The Academy is one of four educational opportunities available to superintendents as part of Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow – an initiative Bayer developed in collaboration with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA’s) Environmental Institute for Golf to advance plant health research and education for superintendents.

Twelve members of GCSAA were chosen to attend the 2014 Plant Health Academy:

• Kelly Barker, superintendent member, Santa Rosa Golf & Beach Club, Santa Rosa, Fla.
• Todd Bohn, Class A member, Wolf Creek Golf Club, Olathe, Kan.
• Brett A. Chapin, Class A member, The Redding Country Club, Redding, Conn.
• Michael J. Dunk, CGCS, Class A member, The Trophy Club, Lebanon, Ind.
• Brian C. Green, Class A member, Lonnie Poole Golf Course at NC State, Raleigh, N.C.
• Timothy J. Hahn, Class A member, Greystone and Shadows Golf Courses, Walworth, N.Y.
• Andrew Jorgensen, CGCS, Class A member, On Top of the World Communities, Inc., Ocala, Fla.
• Vincent A. Pavonetti, CGCS, Class A member, Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, Conn.
• Heath Puckett, CGCS, Class A member, Cypress Lakes Golf & Country Club, Muscle Shoals, Ala.
• Chris Steigelman, CGCS, Class A member, The Landings Club, Savannah, Ga.
• Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Class A member, Horton Smith Golf Course, Springfield, Mo.
• Robert J. Williams, superintendent member, Stockton Golf & Country Club, Stockton, Calif.

“We are proud to support these superintendents who are dedicated to expanding their knowledge of our ever-evolving industry,” said David Wells, golf business manager for Bayer’s turf and ornamentals business. “The Academy provides an excellent forum to discuss future plant health trends, work together to solve current issues, and support the next generation of innovative solutions.”

The Plant Health Academy’s two-part immersive plant health curriculum will involve classroom training at GCSAA headquarters March 3-5 in Lawrence, Kan. and in-the-field training at the Bayer Development and Training Center Sept. 24-26 in Clayton, N.C. The Academy is part of Healthy Turf, Healthy Tomorrow, a multi-faceted program that also includes plant health-related webinars, demonstration courses and scholarships.