by
Dave Phipps
| Nov 10, 2022
In my travels, I have heard from so many members about how difficult it has become to find qualified individuals that can work their way up the ladder into leadership positions. With enrollment at many turfgrass schools at all-time lows, it has become necessary to look in different places for those key employees. At it just so happens, these individuals may be right under our noses and may already be on our staff.
With that said, Alec Kowalewski, Ph.D. at Oregon State University, has designed a professional and continuing education turfgrass management program aimed at filling that very gap. This program will provide an introduction to someone who is considering a career in turfgrass management and is looking to advance their knowledge. Currently, there are seven courses offered including Introduction to Turfgrass Management, Introduction to Golf Course Management, Pesticide Applicator Education and Safety, Irrigation and Drainage, Turfgrass Diseases and Suppression Using Fungicides, Turfgrass Mathematics and Turfgrass Insects and Weed Management.
These are six-week, online college-level courses offered at an affordable rate. An individual can sign up for the entire program or simply take each course individually. GCSAA has approved up to 3.6 CEUs per class.
| Course Title | Course Hours | GCSAA Class A Credits |
|---|
| Introduction to Turfgrass Management | 30 | 3 |
| Introduction to Golf Course Management | 36 | 3.6 |
| Pesticide Applicator Education and Safety | 18 | 1.8 |
| Irrigation and Drainage | 21 | 2.1 |
| Cool-Season Turfgrass Diseases and Suppression Using Fungicides | 30 | 3 |
| Turfgrass Mathematics | 36 | 3.6 |
| Turfgrass Insects and Weed Management | 36 | 3.6 |
In Oregon, Alec has provided a complementary scholarship to the Oregon GCSA as long as they offer a matching scholarship. Now in the second year, the Oregon GCSA has awarded four scholarships to four deserving individuals looking to further their careers in turfgrass management. Some of them have already graduated from college with a different degree and others have been working on a golf course crew and have desires to take on a more responsible role. Alec has indicated that he would offer the same deal to other chapters if they are willing to provide a matching scholarship themselves. The Oregon GCSA has developed an SOP for the scholarship which they would be more than happy to share.
For more information please visit the Oregon State website.
David Phipps
GCSAA Northwest regional representative