DR. CLINT WALTZ
Receives TPI’s Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence By Jim Novak
TPI President Linda Bradley presents TPI’s Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence to Dr. Clint Waltz. Photo by Steve Trusty
From time to time the Turfgrass Producers International (TPI) Public Relations Working Group selects an educator based on nominees submitted by the membership. Te Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated personal commitment and dedication
and has had a positive influence in helping to educate consumers, turfgrass producers and industry professionals throughout the world.
Te recipient of this award is someone who has made themselves available to their community and to TPI and its members to address turfgrass questions and concerns and who has been involved in programs that promote the benefits of turfgrass.
During TPI’s 2017 International Education Conference & Field Day, Linda Moyer, chair of the TPI Public Relations Working Group, presented the Turfgrass Educator Award of Excellence to Dr. Clint Waltz.
Dr. Waltz joined the University of Georgia turfgrass team in September 2001 as a Turfgrass Extension Specialist. His program leadership responsibilities are in all turfgrass management areas, including turfgrass water management. He also has other state responsibilities, including involvement with all aspects of the Georgia Urban Ag Council (UAC), and especially its sod producers committee. He also serves the golf course industry on the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association (GGCSA) education committee and Water Task Force.
Although his appointment is 100 percent extension, Dr. Waltz conducts research projects in many areas of turfgrass management.
Ken Morrow of Te Turfgrass Group offered these thoughts about Clint. “Clint focuses on industry relationships in his role as Extension Turfgrass Specialist by serving as liaison with each industry association serving the turfgrass industry.
He has served the sod industry since his first year at UGA. His work in conducting the Annual Sod Industry Survey and annual reports on it have greatly enhanced sod marketing for all sod growers and provided landscapers,
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sports field managers, golf course superintendents and other urban ag professionals with a third party, unbiased report of the inventory of turfgrass sod by species, and with the expected price impact for the spring season. Tis report is a ‘go to’ resource for all sod customers in planning and bidding their projects. Sod farms rate it a key resource in evaluating the market and setting prices for sod each spring. Clint leads industry associations’ committees in planning and conducting annual education programs and conferences. He provides this assistance also for our Turfgrass Sod Field Day which occurs every two years and has a one-half day seminar.”
Aaron McWhorter of NG Turf wrote, “As Georgia Extension Turfgrass Specialist, Clint focused on serving the turfgrass industry from day one at UGA. He has continuously put his attention on building relationships with any and every entity of the turfgrass industry.”
Dr. Waltz has been published in scientific journals and trade magazines, and makes regular contributions to the newsletters of state associations. Additionally, he makes numerous presentations to turfgrass professionals, from golf course superintendents and county extension agents to homeowner groups. He also was active in working with TPI’s Public Relations Working Group and Extension Specialists Meetings and has spoken numerous times at TPI-related events. He also is responsible for the development of the GeorgiaTurf website.
Along with the Annual Sod Industry Survey, Dr. Waltz’s research includes evaluation of the grasses in the southeast for the turfgrass industry members, including the sod producers, and for the homeowner. As part of that research, he oversees multiple NTEP trials across the state. In addition, he is researching the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more frequently called drones, to document, identify and analyze areas of stress on golf courses and other highly-managed turfgrasses.
Dr. Waltz expresses his gratitude to the TPI membership and the nominating committee. “I value this as an affirmation of my work coming from the folks that I’ve served for years. I didn’t see it coming, so it’s especially humbling. I’ve learned so much from our turfgrass producers throughout the state from the production standpoint. I really value their input into my program and career. I greatly appreciate the acknowledgement. Tis is an award I’ll cherish.”
Jim Novak is TPI Communications Manager. TPI Turf News May/June 2017
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