Traci Tomas (left), Sandy Tomas (center), and the former media manag- er for Tomas Turfgrass, posed for this photo when Tomas Turfgrass was planting sprigs on Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.
Tis Tomas family photo pictures three generations, Emory and Sandy, their children Traci and Seth, along with their spouses, and all six of the grandchildren.
Sod installation
Seth Tomas holds up a slab of sod harvested from one of the Tomas Turfgrass production fields.
Both Traci and Seth have three children each. Emory said that he and Sandy love their six grandchildren, consisting of four boys and two girls. Teir families live on farms in Bastrop and Austin counties, making it only an hour’s drive in either direction to visit.
Industry changes
Over the years, one of the greatest differences Emory has observed in the sod industry is mechanization. He recalls harvesting in high school when they used a sod cutter they would walk behind. Tey would push the rolls of sod up by hand and stack them onto trailers. He even remembers when they finally bought a forklift to stack pallets of sod. Emory said he is appreciative of these mechanical changes over time.
Emory also complimented computer software that has made their bookkeeping systems much more efficient and faster. “We also have better chemicals and safer chemicals than they did back in the 1970s and that’s very important,” he said.
He estimates 90 percent of the grass Tomas Turfgrass produces is grown on sand-based soil which is what sports field architects specify for projects. He explains the reason for this is because water can percolate through the sod quickly after heavy rain so athletes can resume play rapidly if the field is designed properly.
TPI Turf News May/June 2021
Tomas Turfgrass produces, installs, and maintains sod products. With seven installation crews, Emory said this responsibility just went along naturally as a part of their sod business. “Most of our competitors do not install grass at all. It’s a real benefit for us and brings a lot more business our way. We think our crews do a better job of installing than anybody else does anyway, so we highly encourage that,” he said.
Tomas Turfgrass has completed several high-profile sod installations and many small projects. Emory said no matter the size of the project, their goals are to make sure their customers are happy and that they resolve any issues quickly.
Last year, Tomas Turfgrass’s Celebration® Bermudagrass was installed at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Emory said this was a high-profile project that they enjoyed completing. He joked it would have been a lot better if they’d repeated their national football championship and is hopeful it will happen next season.
Tomas Turfgrass also installed its Latitude 36® Bermudagrass at Texas A&M’s Kyle Field. Emory said since they had a good season this past year, they were really proud to see their grass played on at this stadium.
A few years ago, Tomas Turfgrass produced and installed the grass for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Tey also furnished and installed Latitude 36 at the Amarillo Sod Poodles minor league baseball field and the BBVA Compass Stadium professional soccer arena in Houston, TX. Emory said there are more listed on their website,
thomasturfgrass.com, but these are some notable jobs they have completed.
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