tests teams on science of grass
KINGSTON, R.I. — February 20, 2002 — In a true turf war, one of three teams of students from the University of Rhode Island chapter of the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association of America (GCSAA) recently placed tenth among 62 teams at the national Collegiate Turf Bowl competition in Orlando, Fla.
According to team adviser W. Michael Sullivan, URI professor of plant sciences, the competition consists of “a rather brutal exam that involves broad professional knowledge” of turf growth and development, soil fertility, environmental stewardship, mathematics, and pesticide chemistry. In addition, a practical component of the exam required the identification of numerous plants, insects and diseases.
“We were the smallest school in the top ten,” said Sullivan, who noted that “the winning schools were all five or ten times larger than URI. And we had only one senior competing. All in all, I’m very proud of our team. They represented the university and the department well.”
The URI team that placed tenth consisted of Matthew DiZazzo of Pelham, N.H.; Jeff Gennarelli of Hawthorne, N.Y.; Christopher Gould of Stow, Mass.; and Derik Lundin of Bridgewater, Mass. Other URI participants included Ara Boghigian of Cranston; Joseph Buonassisi of Thornwood, N.Y.; Michael Calcagni of Staten Island, N.Y.; Michael Galvin of Westwood, Mass., Anthony Gilberti of Westford, Mass.; Jamie Medeiros of Warren; and Zachary Schnip of Norwich, Conn.
The event was held in conjunction with the GCSAA international convention and in cooperation with the U.S. Golf Association, the Golf Course Architects Association, the North American Turf Grass Breeders Association, the Golf Course Owners Association, and the American Irrigation Association.
For Information: W. Michael Sullivan 401-874-4540, Todd McLeish 401-874-7892