Richard Hurley Ph.D.
Rutgers Turf Education Rutgers College became a land grant college in 1864. NJ Ag. Exp. Station in 1880. College of Ag. (Cook now SEBS) in 1921. The first turfgrass evaluation plots - 1923 1920 s Dr. Howard Sprague was the first full-time turf faculty member. 1940 s Dr. Ralph Engel started as a full-time turf faculty member. 10 week Winter Turf Course started in 1946. Five-day Turf Short Course offered from 1929 to 1957.
Rutgers Educational Opportunities Rutgers turf education leading to a BS degree Rutgers graduate school leading to a MS or PhD degree Dr. Steve Hart, Rutgers summer turf field day
Four Year Degree Program Leading to a BS Degree Approximately 15 to 25 students, Freshman Senior, with four or five graduates each year. Each year we have three to five transfer students coming into Rutgers with Turf interest.
Over the decades Rutgers Turfgrass Alumni from our four year program have entered the turf industry, whether working for lawn and landscape companies or with the equipment, seed, sod, Irrigation, fertilizer, and chemical industries. Some graduate so on to become leaders in the fields of sports turf and golf courses, as well as educators at high schools and college levels.
Rutgers Turf Alumni, B.S degree Chuck Fatum, 1950 s Dr. Al Turgeon, 1960 s Joe Flaherty, 1960 s Charlie McCrea, 1960 s Mike Hosfield, 1960 s Bill Dickson, 1960 s Al Neuberger, 1960 s Joe O Donnell, 1960 s Bernard McGuiness, 1960 s Al Rathjens, 1960 s
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Chris Carson, 1970 s Dr. Bruce Clarke, 1970 s Mary Beth Clark (Rue), 1970 s Laura Betts, 1980 s Marie Pompei, 1970 s Brian Minemier, 1980 s Bruce Neary, 1970 s Joe Clark, 1980 s Phil Catron, 1970 s Rick Kroc, 1980 s
Gary Gentilucci, Golf Course Superintendent Chestnut Ridge CC, MD.
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Josh Honig, 1990 s Bob Wolverton, 1990 s Brian Feldman, 1990 s Gary Gentilucci, 1990 s Keith Kubik, 1990 s Tim Andresean, 1990 s Chris Boyle, 1990 s Victor Frederico, 1990 s Scott Fritz, 1990 s Howard Nakase, 1990 s
Dr. Bonos and Bob Wolverton at the Rutgers summer turf field day
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Pedro Perdomo, 1990 s Carie Mansue, 1990 s Craig Tolley, 1990 s David Neufeld, 1990 s Sean Klotzbauch, 1990 s Sabrina Tirpak, 2000 Steve Cronin, 1990 s Dr. Gerald Henry Margret Stegman, 1990 s Dennis DeSanctis, Jr, 2002
Turf Alumni and life experiences Gordon Moir, Links Mgr. at St. Andrews, Scotland and Lauren Giordano (2004), former Rutgers turf student and summer intern
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Jeff Borajkiewicz, 2003 Dr. Robert Shortell, 2004 Peter Crowl, 2003 Mike D Ascanio, 2004 Mike Laudato, 2003 Dave Kobrick, 2004 John Ralli, 2003 Mike Lyons, 2005 Lauren Giordano, 2004 Brian Ducy, 2005
Rutgers Turf Alumni Stay Involved Eric and Sabrina at the Rutgers summer turf field day
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Jim Devaney, 2005 Paul Scapellato, 2005 Chris Young, 2005 Michael Schaeffer, 2006 Matt Koch, 2005 Bruce Culver, 2006 Mary Provance-Bowly, 2005 Rosemond Pierre, 2005 Dan Purner, 2006 Chris Hendrickson, 2007
Rutgers Turf Club, 2008
Rutgers Turf Alumni, BS Degree Danielle Skoba, 2007 Dale Cruzan, 2009 Tim Sibicky, 2007 Kate Venner, 2009 Jill Compano 2007 Zane Raudenbush, 2009 Alex Tekulsky, 2007 Justin Hughes, 2009 Chris Skivar, 2008
Faculty and Alumni together Zane Raudenbush, Rutgers turf student in Scotland Dr. Jim Murphy, Chris Skvir Rutgers turf student, and Gordon Moir, St. Andrews, Scotland
Rutgers Turf Education Professional Golf Turf Management Program (Twenty week) certificate Program through the Office of Continuing Professional Education at Cook (SEBS) College Two sessions per year: Fall and Winter Approximately 80 graduates per year
Professional Turf Management Twenty week program. Ten weeks in fall or winter. Return to intern work at a golf course for the season. Second ten week session in fall or winter one year after the first ten weeks.
Ned Lipman, Director Professional Turf Management School
Rutgers Professional Turf Mgt. School Since 1980 Over 1500 students have graduated from the program. Billy Malcum, VA 2009 graduate
Recently identified 678 superintendents and 489 Assistant Superintendents currently working at golf courses in over 35 states and 10 countries.
Award for Professional Excellence 2003 Bob Dickison, Class of 1962. 2004 Robert Alonzi, Class of 1962 2004 Anthony Bertels, Class of 1995 2004 Frank Bevelacqua, Class of 1962 2004 Steve Matuza, Class of 1979 2004 Rick Shriver, Class of 1996 2005 Philip Shoemaker, Class of 1980 2005 John Zimmers, Class of 1993 2006 Sean Hoolehan, Class of 1981 2007 Joe Bianco, Class of 1962
Award for Professional Excellence 2008 Joe Alonzi, Class of 1973 2008 Rick Holanda, Class of 1993 Donald Sauvigne, Class of 1980
Rutgers Prof. Golf Turf Mgt. School Award for Prof. Excellence, 2009 Don Sauvigne, Alumni - class of 1980 Prof. Turf Mgt. School Site Director for Pfizer s research facilities - Eastern North America.
Turf Mgt Alumni 2007 US Open volunteers and Rutgers Turf Alumni John Zimmers Golf Supt. Oakmont CC
Rutgers Turf Alumni.. Hamilton Farms, NJ 2006 photo
Ken Mathis is a graduate from the first fall class in December 1993. Currently Superintendent of Parks for Brick, NJ Also acting Golf Course Superintendent at Bey Lea CG in Toms River.
Michael Puchkov 2000, Moscow, Russia
Prof. Turf School, class trip to Pine Hill GC, 2004
Your future Hook yourself to a star! Someone to mentor you! Develop reasonable goals Match your talents to the position your desire
Mentor: Wise Loyal Advisor Everyone needs mentors to help guide them throughout life someone they can trust to offer sound advice on life, challenges, success and failure
Alumni Network with turf researchers