Sylacauga, Ala. - Kansas State University and Pursell Technologies partnered to enhance Kansas State’s golf course management program and the future of the turf industry through a new breed of superintendent.
“Kansas State has risen to the top in terms of turf management with 150 students enrolled in the program,” said David Gourlay, CGCS, director of golf and general manager of operations for Kansas State-owned Colbert Hills Golf Course. “The university aims to develop a new breed of superintendent – leaders in the industry – through exposing students to the most effective turf products available.”
The horticulture department at Kansas State has a golf course management program that educates students in all aspects of managing and operating a golf course, going beyond traditional turf maintenance.
Gourlay, as well as other Kansas State representatives, believes PTI can contribute to the development of the students and program.
“We do experiments (at Colbert Hills) with PTI’s Polyon controlled-release fertilizer to see how the product performs on zoysiagrass and cool-season grasses for fairways,” Gourlay said. “The results are remarkable.”
Dr. Jack Fry, professor of horticulture and director of the golf course management program for Kansas State, sees the partnership as an opportunity to expose students to new technology and innovations in the fertility field.
“I see it as cutting-edge technology meets cutting-edge golf course management education with the program we have here,” Fry said.
In April, David Pursell, c.e.o. of PTI, Dave Heegard, vice president of sales and marketing, and Dr. Jeff Higgins, executive director of business development, traveled to Kansas State where Higgins was named an adjunct faculty member and taught a class on nutrient management and fertilization strategies.
“I am quite honored to serve as an adjunct professor at Kansas State and feel that this type of relationship between PTI and the university will provide students with more insight into innovative technologies and implementation of these technologies after graduation,” Higgins said. “Just as important, this partnership provides PTI with insights into the new generation of turfgrass managers and their future needs so we can stay ahead of the curve.”
Vaughn Studer, senior director of development for the College of Agriculture at Kansas State, agrees the relationship with PTI will help prepare students for their futures beyond the classroom.
“Our graduates and interns are placed all over the world, and this relationship will help broaden the perspective our students receive about technology,” Studer said.
The university hopes to place future Kansas State interns at Pursell-family-owned FarmLinks Golf Club to further students’ experiences.
Additionally, students will be given the opportunity to participate in The Experience at FarmLinks where they will receive education on fertilizer release mechanisms from PTI and attend sessions on plant protection strategies and golf course maintenance and irrigation equipment.
