Henry Kerfoot,
Modern Turf, South Carolina Te TPI Study tour was a great opportunity to grow closer with my peers in the Future Leaders Fellowship. We were able to take in all the beautiful sights as well as learn from the European Sod Producers. Tese experiences helped us all build memories and bonds that will last well beyond our professional careers!
In particular, I enjoyed going to Marco Simone Golf Club and all of the visits to sod farms.
Photo courtesy of Allie Roed
We walked around with the Golf Course Superintendent and were able to pick his brain on some of the challenges and successes he has come across. We mainly discussed the management practices of the Seashore Paspalum that covers the course tee to green.
Ben Storbeck,
H & E Sod Nursery, Inc., Illinois Overall our trip was amazing. My wife and I were very hesitant at first as we didn’t know a lot of members that were joining us on the trip, but that soon changed when we landed. It is hard to pinpoint specific things we loved about the trip because every day there was truly amazing with the sights, history, and culture. Immersing ourselves in the European sod production was eye-opening, seeing how similar yet diverse we all are. It gave me ideas we might be able to implement here in the States.
Attending the walking tours in Verona and Rome was a great way to learn the history of Italy but also a good excuse for members to break out into conversations with one another. I can’t count how many connections we made just from standing in the streets of Rome or sitting down at a vineyard sharing conversation over a fabulous lasagna. Te lifelong friendships made from a trip like this will pay dividends in the long run and I am excited to see where they go.
Photo courtesy of Allie Roed
At the Becca Prati Sod farm some of the fellows and I talked with a sod farmer and his family who were from Spain. To my surprise, we actually grew many of the same varieties. Tese included Celebration, Latitude, and Empire. Tey also grow some of the same Ultradwarf Bermuda grasses, such as Mini Verde and Sunday! We also discussed some of the newer Bermudagrasses emerging in both the U.S. and European markets.
Between the sights, sod farms, and travel companions this trip was unforgettable and something I would highly recommend to all TPI members!
TPI Turf News January/February 2025 Photo courtesy of Ben Storbeck 35
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