Oregon State University knows turf. The university is located near the grass seed capital of the world and is the home a turf program that has produced superintendants of major golf courses all over the West Coast and nationally. Now OSU is taking on a special effort to create an endowed professorship in turf management.
The position is intended to attract a top researcher and educator to continue the work of Tom Cook, who will retire in the fall. Under Cook's direction, the OSU turf program earned national recognition for its development of grass mixes that require less water and chemicals, and innovative approaches to environmental stewardship without compromising functionality, rigor, and form.
OSU graduates have led famous golf courses and clubs including Bandon Dunes, Pebble Beach, La Quinta and Pronghorn, among others. The turf professorship fundraising effort was initiated by the Oregon Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and continues to gain support, including contributions from Oregon Seed Trade Association, Northwest Turf Grass Association, and Oregon Turf and Tree Farms, as well as other individual supporters.
