“Turf Terps” Earn 4th Place Honors

Continuing a tradition that began almost two decades ago, UMD students recently participated in the Sports Field Managers Association (SFMA) Student Challenge. The event is conducted annually during the SFMA Conference and Trade Show and allows the student to compete against other turfgrass programs nationally. This year, the conference was held from January 19-22 in Fort Worth, Texas. Because of the studying, academic dedication, and required after-class meeting time needed to prepare for these competitions, students participating in the turf competitions have the opportunity to enroll in a 1-credit independent study class in the Fall semester. This year, UMD was able to take two teams, including 4-year and IAA students.

The SFMA Student Challenge competition includes turfgrass species, weed, insect, and disease identification; turfgrass soils questions, turfgrass-related math problems, and a hands-on practical section. Between this year’s teams, only one student, Sam Burke, had intercollegiate competition experience, so it was a good opportunity for other students to gain experience before competing in the Turf Bowl competition at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) conference. In addition to the competition experience, students had the opportunity to attend the educational seminars, browse the tradeshow floor and speak with vendors, and experience the Fort Worth region, travelling to the world-famous Fort Worth Stockyards. 

A mere two weeks later, from February 2-5, three teams totalling 11 students traveled to the GCSAA conference in Orlando, FL. Having gained valuable experience from the SFMA competition, the students were ready to compete in the Turf Bowl, in which 77 different teams from universities across the US and Canada were competing. In addition to the Turf Bowl competition on February 4, the students attended various seminars and presentations at the conference, experienced the GCSAA welcome celebration at ICON Park, and attended the Mid-Atlantic regional social events. The “Turf Terps” top team, consisting of Sam Burke (captain), Carson Thomas, Eli Johnson, and Owen Scott, earned 4th place, and the team consisting of Ryan Smith (captain), William Walsh, Quin Mulholland, and Racer Anderson earned 19th place.

Attending and competing in these national turfgrass competitions raises the national recognition for our IAA turfgrass program and provides students with an added academic rigor as they practice for the competitions and experience the industry on a broader, national level. We would like to extend a word of thanks to all of the UMD turf alumni for the ways they have supported the team over the years, and everyone who has supported the Shields Memorial Fund, funds from which provide the means to bring student teams to these competitions.