Jacobsen’s Future Turf Managers event exhibits industry optimism

Jacobsen, a Textron company, brought nearly 30 college seniors from top turfgrass programs around the world to its annual Future Turf Managers event June 4 in Charlotte, N.C.

The three-day event allows students to network with top superintendents and sports field managers, hear presentations from top industry experts and get an insider’s look at Jacobsen’s turf maintenance equipment.

Dustin Harris, a recent graduate of Oklahoma State University’s turfgrass program, says the experience made him more confident for his future and the turf industry as a whole.

Students recommended by professors at turfgrass programs were selected from 30 colleges and universities including Penn State University, Mississippi State University, Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, Rutgers and the University of Florida. The group also included international students from Myerscough College in England and the North Melbourne Institute of Tafe in Australia.

“The Future Turf Managers event showed how we can truly achieve our dreams if we go for it,” says Garrett Emerick, a recent graduate from the University of Maryland and current assistant superintendent at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club.

The group traveled to Charlotte Country Club and Sage Valley Golf Club – two top golf courses in the Southeast – as well as visited the University of South Carolina Gamecocks’ baseball and football facilities.

Steve Randall, senior manager of chapter outreach for the GCSAA, discussed leadership and communication with the students. Each received a full year’s membership to the GCSAA, sponsored by Jacobsen, and credit towards the pursuit of their Class A GCSAA certification.

“It was great to hear so much optimism from the future leaders of our industry,” says David Withers, president of Jacobsen.