SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/356087
42 SportsTurf | August 2014 www.sportsturfonline.com Field of the Year What I enjoy most is providing our teams a high quality grass field. A lot of that enjoyment comes in the challenge of dealing with two teams training and playing games on one field, which receives 700 to 800 hours of use per year. We are always trying to improve through trying new methods, new equipment, or new products. We're not satisfied with 'good enough'! I also find a great deal of satisfaction in working with and mentoring Peter Larson on Championship Field. Peter handles the daily maintenance and doesn't have a background in turfgrass management, but has really excelled in learning and absorbing the concepts and methods we employ to create a quality field. I enjoy everything I do, but wouldn't mind sitting in fewer meetings. I think most things can be dealt with through email. ST: How did you get your start in turf management? What was your first job? White: I began my career in turf management on the golf side in Southern California, and feel fortunate to have worked at some great places with some incredible people along the way. Ini- tially, I wanted to become a golf course architect, but after some advice from the late Dr. Kent Kurtz, while we were waiting in line at an airport, I chose to pursue Turfgrass Management at Cal Poly Pomona. Kent was a tough professor, wise mentor, and good friend. He had a way of pushing you to your limit, but always had your best interest at heart. His impact on me will last my lifetime; he just had that kind of effect on people! Seattle University is the first sports turf job I have had, and it has been a very rewarding one. It has also been a great place to transition from golf to sports turf with having a grass field, a syn- thetic field, and a skinned infield. I've learned a lot in a short time, and continue to learn every day. ST: How do you balance your family life with work demands? White: I find it to be much easier now than when I was an assistant superintendent. Working in golf was difficult, and it put a big strain on our marriage. Sure, we have busy seasons and long days now, but taking time off isn't really a challenge. The team knows how to do everything, which makes all the difference. ST: What changes if any are you considering or implementing for the winning field in 2014? White: We constantly make little tweaks to our maintenance program trying to make it better, but this year we decided to try something a little bigger. Following the final spring soccer game on May 12, we began the process of fraze mowing, recycle dressing and seeding. We then had 7 weeks to grow it back in before the start of the 2014 soccer season, which culminates in November when we host both Western Athletic Conference women's and men's soccer tournaments. It is going to be a very busy season! ST: How do you see the Sports Turf Manager's job changing in the future? White: I think we are going to have to continue to be more open-minded about maintenance practices and push boundaries in terms of field use for our natural surfaces. I do not think natural grass gets enough credit in terms of how much wear it can toler- ate. The new technology in equipment and products, and the new breeds of turfgrasses that are emerging now is very encouraging and exciting. I do believe synthetic surfaces have a place in this industry. However, in my opinion I see an unfortunate trend go- ing on across the country. Personally, I feel that we are losing an appreciation for the art and science of growing a quality stand of grass for sport. I see the profession I'm deeply passionate about and wholly committed to changing. I just hope we can slow, or reverse the current trend, and continue to do what we got into this business to do…grow quality grass! ■ STMA would like to thank Carolina Green, Ewing, Hunter Indus- tries and World Class Athletic Surfaces for their continued support of the Field of the Year Awards Program.