Wednesday at Harrogate: Ryder Cup redux, show mentoring and UK Beer & Pretzels
Ryder Cup Round Table and a Chance to Mentor a Young Greenkeeper from the UK. Not to mention a UK twist on TurfNets Beer & Pretzels
Wednesday brought another full house to Royal Hall with an Opening Session featuring five Ryder Cup superintendents. The group spanned the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor to the upcoming 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris. Participants included Jim MacKenzie (2010 Celtic Manor), TurfNet Member Curtis Tyrrell (2012 Medina), Steve Chappell (2014 Gleneagles), TurfNet Member Chris Tritabaugh (2016 Hazeltine), and Alejandro Reyes (2018 Le Golf National.)
Five Ryder Cup superintendents: Jim MacKenzie, TurfNet member Curtis Tyrrell, Session Host the BBCs Naga Munchetty, Steve Chappell, Chris Tritabaugh, and Alejandro Reyes.
The superintendents shared what they learned from Ryder Cups previous to their own and also gave insight as to how they put their own stamp on the event. These individuals should be familiar to visitors to TurfNetTV as three of the five have been featured in our Ryder Cup coverage: Jim MacKenzie, Steve Chappell, and Chris Tritabaugh.
TurfNet member Curtis Tyrrell (Medina) and Steve Chappell (Gleneagles) during the Ryder Cup presentation
I met young superintendent Michael Mead when he was in Tony Girardi's classes Sunday and Monday. He mentioned he could use some help navigating the trade show so I met up with him and we spent the morning visiting his existing and some potential suppliers. Read the entire story of his experience here.
Most of the TurfNet group took advantage of the many free educational sessions, and a few even sat in on my presentation on Interviewing techniques.
When we decided to bring a group over to 2017 BTME it made sense to host a reception in Harrogate where our friends at the conference could meet with the assembled TurfNet members. We received excellent service Wednesday afternoon from the staff and management of Henry's Bar at The Crown Hotel. It very much had the feel of an international version of TurfNet's Beer and Pretzels.
We were honored that BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton attended and shared his thoughts on having our group at BTME. "I've truly enjoyed seeing all of you attend classes and get to know your counterparts here. When Jon Kiger came to us this idea last year we had no idea it would be so successful so quickly."
UK greenkeeping legend Walter Woods (left) chats with Eddie Connaughton.
Peter Braun and Tribal Magic's Gregg Patterson chat with BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton at TurfNet's reception in Harrogate
Young greenkeepers Stefan Carter (headed to Augusta National Golf Club in June) and Dave Stewart (BIGGA's Young Greenkeeper of the Year) enjoy a laugh at the TurfNet reception.
Medina's Curtis Tyrrell and Milliken's Cordie Morgan catch up at the TurfNet reception.
The Open Championships were well-represented at the TurfNet reception. Gordon Moir from St. Andrews Links (2nd from the left) Craig Boath (2nd from the right) and Sandy Reid (left) - both from Carnoustie catch up during the reception.
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