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Last updated 9/23/03 |
A turfgrass manager is responsible for the production, maintenance, quality, and performance of turfgrass for areas such as golf courses, home lawns, athletic fields, commercial lawns, parks, recreation areas, sod farms, and other areas where turfgrass is utilized. The challenges and opportunities for turf managers to excel are limitless. Maintaining a high quality, manicured turf, subjected to intense use, requires skill and experience. The self satisfaction and excitement of seeing your knowledge and hard work combine to prepare a challenging golf course, beautiful lawn and landscape, or a high quality sports field are the rewards of a career in turf management.
A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Turfgrass Science is recommended for individuals interested in a career as a professional turf manager. The Turfgrass Science curriculum is centered on principles, concepts, and problem solving that provides a student with preparation to handle a wide array of situations. It is felt that four years of study provide the student with a broad base of knowledge to cope with rapidly changing issues and technology.
Employment Opportunities
The turfgrass industry in Indiana and nationwide is expanding rapidly. The demand for
college-educated personnel with a degree in turfgrass
management is strong. Placement for graduates with a
B.S. degree has been 100% over the last ten years. Projections
are for continued growth and expansion of the turf industry.
Starting salaries vary widely depending on the area of the country, but range from $25,000 to $30,000 a year plus benefits. It is common for a student just graduating to work as an assistant to a professional turf manager for three to four years to gain experience before moving into a position of greater responsibility and opportunity. Professional turf managers with a college degree in Turfgrass Science and 10 to 15 years experience in the turfgrass industry currently earn $37,000 to $88,000 a year. Successful turf managers have expanded their careers into club management, ownership of small businesses related to turf, consultants, managers of firms, and sales and marketing of turf-related products.
Summer Employment and Summer Internships
Students majoring in Turfgrass Science are strongly encouraged to spend each summer
working in the turfgrass industry. The experience gained from summer
employment will be essential when seeking a permanent
position and will make classes more
relevant and valuable. There are opportunities to work on the finest golf courses
and other athletic fields across the nation during the summer months. Summer positions are
also available in
the lawn care industry, landscaping, sod production, and athletic field maintenance.
An internship program is available at Purdue University for students who desire to earn credit while employed during the summer. Prospective employers look very favorably on job applicants who have completed an internship, therefore internship experience is strongly recommended for students earning a B.S. degree. Internship opportunities exist nationwide.
Scholarships
Several scholarships are available specifically for students majoring in Turfgrass
Science. The Turfgrass Program at Purdue
University administers these scholarships. All students majoring in Turfgrass Science are
eligible for turf scholarships
as well as those at the Department and School level. Scholarships are
awarded based on academic performance, activities, character, and interest in
a turfgrass
management career. These scholarships are typically awarded to
sophomores, juniors and seniors.
| Semester 1 | Credits | Semester 2 | Credits | |
| AGRY 101 Intro to Ag | 1 | CHM 112 General Chem II | 3 | |
| CHM 111 General Chem | 3 | Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Engl 106 Eng Comp | 4 | BIOL 111 Biology II/HORT 301* | 4 | |
| AGRY 110 Survey of Turf | 1 | COM 114 Speech Comm | 3 | |
| MA 220/223 Calculus Elective | 3 | Economic Elective*** | 3 | |
| BIOL 110 Biology I/BTNY 210 | 4 | |||
|
Total |
16 |
Total |
16 | |
| Semester 3 | Credits | Semester 4 | Credits | |
| AGRY 398 Agronomy Seminar | 1 | AGRY 210 Turf Management | 3 | |
| AGRY 255 Soil Science | 3 | BTNY 304 Weed Science | 3 | |
| HORT 217 Woody Landscape | 4 | CHM257 Organic Chem | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | AGRY 320/FNR 305 Genetics | 3 | |
| AGEC 330 or MGMT 200 | 3 | Agry 211 Turf Mgmt Lab | 1 | |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 | |
|
Total |
17 |
Total |
17 | |
| Semester 5 | Credits | Semester 6 | Credits | |
| AGRY 510 Turf Science | 3 | BTNY 518 Disease of trees/Shrubs | 1 | |
| BTNY 301 Intro Plant Path | 3 | BTNY 520 Disease of Turf Grass | 1 | |
| ENTM 340 Insct, Tree, Ornmnt, Turf | 3 | AGRY 365 Soil Fertility | 3 | |
| Business/Mgmt Elective** | 3 | PHYS 214 Nature of Physical Science | 3 | |
| AGRY 349 Soil Ecology | 3 | Business/Mgmt Elective** | 3 | |
| STAT 301 Statistical Method | 3 | Intl Understanding Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |||
|
Total |
18 |
Total |
17 | |
| Semester 7 | Credits | Semester 8 | Credits | |
| AGRY 498 Agronomy Senior Seminar | 1 | AGRY 525 Crop Physio & Ecology | 3 | |
| AGRY 512 Prof Turf Mgmt | 3 | Soc Science or Humanities Elect | 3 | |
| AGRY 465 Physical Prop of Soil | 3 | Soc Science or Humanities Elect | 3 | |
| ASM 591B Turf Irrigation & Drainage | 3 | Written/Oral Comm Elective | 3 | |
| HORT 435 Principles of MKTG & MGM | 4 | Turf Suggested Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |||
|
Total |
17 |
Total |
15 | |
Definitions of Electives
Turf Electives: AGRY 399, 585 ASM 201,215 FNR 444, HORT 218,
317, CSR 342
Humanities & Social Science Electives: Any class with one of the following
abbreviations - Anth, Econ, Pol, Psy, Soc, FLL, Phil, V&P arts
Effective for students beginning college Fall 2003
Revised 3/6/03
If you would like more information about the Turf Program at Purdue or have questions please contact:
Dr. Cale Bigelow Agronomy Department 915 West State Street Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907-2054 765-494-4692
Department of Agronomy Undergraduate Programs
Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu