John Deere crowns Collegiate Turf Bowl winner

Photo: Purdue University

John Deere and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America named Purdue University as the winner of the 27th annual Collegiate Turf Bowl.

Announced during the Closing Celebration of the Golf Industry Show on Feb. 4, the winner, Purdue University, received the traveling trophy, $4,000 first-place prize and opportunity to volunteer at a PGA Tour event in 2021.

The Turf Bowl, which was held virtually for the first time as part of the 2021 Golf Industry Show, featured 26 student teams representing 14 colleges and universities from across North America.

For this year’s competition, teams were required to complete a timed online exam and submit a case study based on a provided prompt highlighting a real-life challenge. The competition components judged teams on their overall industry knowledge and problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations, demonstrating what superintendents can face daily. In addition to the first-place prize, John Deere awarded a total of $10,000 in cash and prizes to the top teams.

“Each year, we look forward to the Turf Bowl and seeing the passion these students have for the industry. While we are sad that we could not be together in person this year, we are thankful that we can continue the tradition of the Turf Bowl for the 27th year,” said Manny Gan, global director of golf, John Deere. “These students are the future of our industry, and we are committed to supporting them as they continue to grow as golf and turf professionals. The team from Purdue University showcased the determination and knowledge needed to succeed within the golf industry. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievement and are excited to watch them grow as professionals.”