Wisdom from the unforgettable

I am not someone who makes New Year’s resolutions. They are easily broken and easily forgotten. However, at the New Year, I daily remember comments from colleagues in the turf industry. I hope some of the names ring a bell, or at least give you a brief appreciation of “turf history.”

1. “It’s who picks you up.” — As an undergraduate at Purdue University, I asked my advisor, William (Bill) Daniel, Ph.D., who spoke extensively throughout the country, about his favorite place to travel. He replied, “It’s not the place, but who picks you up.” I didn’t understand what he meant until I became a faculty member. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to travel the world and see places that I could only imagine when I was a kid. But given all the travel, I realized rather quickly it’s not so much the place that makes it a favorite, but literally the person who greets you at the airport and spends time showing you around and taking care of you. While places are forgotten over time, hospitality shown to others never is forgotten by those on the receiving end.

2. “Enough science for one day.” — Joseph (Joe) M. Vargas, Jr., Ph.D., professor of turfgrass pathology at Michigan State University, would walk out of his office into the lab every Friday afternoon and proclaim, “Enough science for one day.” As a graduate student in Joe’s lab, this meant only one thing: We would all head out for happy hour. I remember how cool it was to get to hang out with fellow students, and especially Joe. Now, as a faculty member, I realize how important it is to be interested and get to know people who work with you, and that it builds camaraderie and loyalty.

3. “At the end of the day…” — Prior to arriving at Ohio State, Alfred (Al) Turgeon, Ph.D., who later became professor and head of the department of agronomy at Penn State, told me, “At the end of the day, take a moment and lean back in your chair and think of what you accomplished that day… and if you can’t think of anything, it’s not time to go home.” In my profession, you are judged by your creativity and productivity. No one knows or cares how busy you are, they care only about your productivity. I’ve never accepted “busy” as a synonym for “productivity.”

4. “… that does not mean being No. 1 all the time.” — Patricia (Pat) Sanders was the turfgrass pathologist at Penn State decades ago. She was an iconic figure in this industry. I remember Pat telling me, “You know, everyone should try to be the best they can or strive to be No. 1, but that does not mean being No. 1 all the time.” That saying reminds me why I don’t live in a box in an alley somewhere. We all have goals and dreams, but you can’t be so rigid or unchanging that you forget to step back at the appropriate time and rearrange your priorities.

5. “… a grin on your face.” — When Paul Latshaw was superintendent at Muirfield Village Golf Club (now at Merion Golf Club), I conducted studies on his course. Our conversations eventually would evolve to discussing cars, specifically BMWs. At the time, I had a 2000 BMW 323i, and I would complain about it getting old, and that I probably should get something new. Paul said, “When you start the engine, if it still puts a grin on your face, it is not time to get rid of it.” I took his advice and had the car for 16 years. When I now think about retirement, I’m reminded of that saying. Each day that I come to my office, a grin always appears on my face. I guess I’ll contemplate retirement when that no longer occurs.