Researchers have a big impact on anyone who works in the world of turfgrass. My success as a Golf Course Superintendent, Manufacturing Representative, and VP of Sales & Marketing at Genesis would not have been a success without them. There are too many to mention in this short blog so I will touch upon those in my close circle who have helped me throughout my career.
These folks work very hard for all of us, and I don’t believe they get the credit they deserve. We expect the research! Months of testing, trials, data, paperwork, videos, teaching, speeches, travel, hand shaking and questioning make them invaluable partners for ALL of us in Turfgrass. These are the folks that ‘talk us off the ledge’ when our grass looks funky in July or August. They help us to stay calm and ‘Stay the Course.’ They have a lot of pressure.
Many of us worked with Dr. Pete Dernoeden in the Mid-Atlantic. He was one of my go-to research guys, but we also knew to have fun and relax together. In many cases they become close friends and almost like family. I remember Mike Gilmore had tickets to a University of MD football game and drove Pete and I. After the game and a few adult beverages, Pete and I started to argue about something related to turf. By the time we got back to Gilmore’s golf maintenance parking lot, we were still arguing but had to relieve ourselves. Standing outside the car, we kept arguing and slowly turned to face each other… We ended up peeing on each other’s shoes. Great guy! Love him!
Steve McDonald has been a tremendous help in our area also. I can remember running into Steve on the road when he first started. He had business cards and some machinery in the trunk of his own car. I knew he would be a friend of all that day. Now with his own Turf Trial Farm, he makes a BIG impact on everyone’s career. He also amazed me one day when we played golf together. I saw him hit a golf ball over 320 yards.
Dr. Michael Agnew is a well-known name in the industry, and was a tremendous help to me for many years in my life. Before, during, and after working as a Manufacturer Rep. I relied a great deal on his knowledge of turf. I also enjoyed our many times exploring the best red wine around. One day we tried to make it around Canton Square in Baltimore having 2 drinks in every bar. We didn’t make it.
Lee Kozy, ‘Dr. Daconil’ was a huge instructor for me and a tremendous source of information. I actually got to spend three days in his basement being schooled by Lee using PowerPoints about products and research. This was one of my initiation processes into Syngenta. Lee is still quick to answer any questions when I see him and have a laugh over something turf related.
Dr. John Kaminski and Dr. Michael Fidanza are not only GREAT researchers and help in our area, but let’s not forget their humor! These two folks have made me belly laugh many many times during my career! They both should try stand-up comedy.
Rich Buckley at Rutgers was one of my BIG phone call friends. Why? He always answered his phone. No kidding! He would answer and give me the straight story. If we weren’t sure, I would send a sample. I think that my hair is now longer than his!
How about Dr. Joe Vargas and his Elvis costume. A researcher with a cape.
There are so many others… Who are your go to Research folks? Have you bought them a beer or a crabcake lately?
P.S.—Take a look at those four young guys in the pic from Merion.
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.