Modern Turf offers an array of premium Zoysiagrasses and Bermudagrasses to serve their multiple markets, along with a commodity Centipedegrass. Henry reports, “We grow three ultradwarf Bermudagrasses for golf course greens: Sunday, MiniVerde, and Mach 1, a fast- establishing, fine-leaf, dark-green grass. Modern Turf is the sole U.S. grower and marketer of Mach 1.”


Henry grew up in the family business, with his first job, at eight years old, planting golf course greens for five dollars a hole. He says, “Te company has a strong staff; many are turfgrass majors and former golf course superintendents, and my Dad’s background is in golf course management. When considering college, I wanted to explore other career options rather than committing to Modern Turf, a decision fully supported by my parents.” He chose Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, majoring in English and planning to become a journalist. “It wasn’t the right fit for me,” says Henry. “I pivoted, getting my degree in Finance, with a minor in Business, a much better match. I went through a rough stretch after graduation, interviewing for and turning down jobs, before overcoming my stubbornness and joining Modern Turf full-time in August of 2022.”


Putting his education and analytical mind to work, Henry revamped the company’s mechanics department by using a Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) called Limble. “It’s a cloud-based software platform that helps mechanics manage maintenance operations, track assets, schedule preventive maintenance, and streamline work orders.” He’s working on integrating their parts inventory into that system.


Ever-increasing insurance costs led him to set up Samsara, a fleet management program with real-time GPS tracking and routing, and in-cab cameras for monitoring drivers. He was one of the “10 in 50” presenters at TPI’s San Antonio Conference, explaining how they established the program and convinced their drivers to accept it.


Henry also works at Modern Turf’s landscape supply store one to two Saturdays a month. He says, “Te store is a good way to get in front of our customers and have a presence in the marketplace. Our full-time staff there appreciates my ‘Saturday subbing,’ and I learn more about them and that part of our business.” Henry also promotes Hydrowick, a cost- effective golf course and sports field drainage solution that can be installed through an incision in the grass with minimal surface disruption. “It’s new to the U.S. golf market. Modern Turf is the sole installer for it in South and North Carolina and Tennessee,” explains Henry. “It’s a great learning experience to have my own part of the business to run.”


Henry was drawn to the Future Leaders Fellowship program after attending the TPI Conference in Nashville with his parents in 2023 and watching them interact with their networking connections. He says, “I joined the program hoping to establish my network of contacts.”


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Te cohort’s first in-person meeting was in Kansas City and included a tour of the Sod Shop. Henry says, “Wade Wilbur is one of my favorite people in the industry, and getting to visit his farm was a lot of fun. Visiting other operations and learning how they function is an incredible part of the program.”


Henry adds, “Nathan Whitaker is awesome. Te worldview is leaders are born. Nathan sees leadership capacity in everyone that can be identified and then nurtured. He’s guiding us to do that personally and with those we lead.”


Henry made a multi-stop trip last August. He met with Ben Storbeck, his one-on-one connection, at H & E’s farm in Momence, Illinois. Henry says, “Tey are kind of a cool-season version of Modern Turf. Tey offer five different bentgrasses for their golf greens market. I was surprised at how much planting time they need because all their grasses are propagated by seed.” Henry’s mentor from the first cohort is Ryan Menken, so he also toured Jasperson Sod Farm in Union Grove, Wisconsin.


Henry and Hank both joined the TPI Study Tour to Italy. Henry says, “Te trip was such a great experience. Learning about sod production internationally is fascinating and doing it with my Dad was a bonus. With nearly all the cohort participating, it was ideal for strengthening bonds with the other fellows.”


Henry recommends the Future Leaders Fellowship Program to anyone looking for networking opportunities. He says, “With so many family businesses in our industry, it’s the best way for the next generation to develop their networks. Most of those in our cohort are in the just-out- of-college to mid-30s age group. I think the friendships we’ve developed will last a lifetime.”


Weston Guetterman


Grassroots Sod, LLC Weston Guetterman of Grassroots Sod in Bucyrus, Kansas, wears many hats in the family business—and beyond. He describes his family’s business origin as such, “My dad Mike, his two brothers, and their dad Paul are partners in a multi-generational row crop farm operation farming corn, soybeans, and wheat. With Dover Sod Farms and Bucyrus Equipment Company just across the road from our house, our sod story began when Mike and Jodi, my mom, wondered if growing grass would be a good way to diversify our row crop operation. Tey subsequently planted 40 acres of bluegrass. Wade Wilbur with Sod Shop, saw our grass while driving one day and bought out our inventory, and continued to purchase grass from us. Tis relationship lasted from 2005 until 2011. We were Sod Shop’s main source of grass in the Kansas City market until Wade started growing his own grass in nearby Lawrence. We then pivoted our focus back solely to row crops.”


TPI Turf News July/August 2025


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