The Team Behind Tournament-Ready Turf - by Corey Finn ⛳🎙

Golf isn’t just a game—it’s an orchestrated effort that happens long before a player takes their first swing.

In this episode, we sit down with Corey Finn, the Cluster Director of Agronomy at Viya Golf in Abu Dhabi, who doesn’t take the credit—his team does. They’re the ones who just pulled off hosting the Abu Dhabi Championship, a massive event on the DP World Tour, making sure the course was flawless from the first tee to the final putt.

🔎 What’s inside this episode?

✔ The human side of golf course maintenance—how an elite team brings a championship venue to life.

✔ Platinum Paspalum & extreme climate turf care—why the right grass matters.

✔ Rolling vs. Mowing—how Tru-Turf rollers help achieve consistency while protecting turf health.

✔ The pressure of preparing for a global tournament—the stress, the teamwork, and the small details that make all the difference.

Who should listen?

🔹 Greenkeepers & superintendents: Hear from someone who’s been in the trenches, leading a team through high-stakes tournament prep.

🔹 Golfers: Ever wondered why the greens feel different from course to course? This episode explains why rolling matters.

🔹 Anyone who loves problem-solving & teamwork: This is about people, not just grass. It’s about precision, pressure, and delivering under the spotlight.

🎧 Hit play now—because great golf doesn’t just happen. It’s built.

In this episode of the Super Series Podcast, Steve Chappell takes listeners through his journey:

• How Dr. Thomas Nikolai’s research inspired his approach to rolling.

• The challenges and successes of implementing rolling at Taymouth Castle.

• The transformative role of tools like the Tru-Turf FR-108 (past model, new product arriving soon) in achieving turf excellence.

This is more than a story about rolling—it’s about curiosity, experimentation, and the pursuit of innovation. Whether you’re a turf professional or simply fascinated by the intricacies of golf course management, Steve’s journey offers invaluable insights into what it takes to lead in the industry.

This time, we’re diving into the world of equipment management with Jason Fontana, Senior Equipment Manager at Arizona’s Desert Mountain Golf Course 🌵

Photo Credits : Chase Ivey

With 9,000 hectares, seven courses, and over 200 operators, Desert Mountain is no small feat. Jason shares why the RB48 roller is his team’s favorite, thanks to its durability and easy maintenance protocols. They roll three times a week and maintain our rollers daily and quarterly - a winning combination for pristine greens!

Hear Jason’s journey from superintendent to equipment expert, his advice for newcomers, and even a bit about his life outside of golf.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John Dempsey, PhD, who shares over 30 years of experience, including his time managing Ireland’s oldest golf course, The Royal Curragh.

Dr. Dempsey discusses:

• The fascinating impact of rolling on turf health, including how it triggers natural defense responses in turfgrass.

• Research-backed insights on how mowing differs from rolling in terms of plant health and why rolling can be more beneficial in certain contexts.

• The unique challenges greenkeepers face, including the physical demands of the job and the mental health aspect that often gets overlooked.

Whether you’re a turf expert, a golf course manager, or just someone curious about how turf care impacts the game, this episode is packed with real-world knowledge from a leader in the field.

▶️ Watch it on YouTube or Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts.

#TurfCare #Greenkeeping #TurfResearch #SuperSeries #TruTurf #agronomy #agriculture #MentalHealthInGreenkeeping

In this special episode of the Super Series Podcast, we sit down with Michael Knoll, Superintendent at Del Monte Golf Course in Pebble Beach Resort. Michael shares his deeply personal journey through mental health challenges and sobriety, offering powerful insights into how he turned his struggles into strength. He talks about his passion for greenkeeping, how it gave him purpose, and why he would still be doing what he loves, even if he had all the money in the world. This episode is part of Tru-Turf's ongoing commitment to supporting mental health within the greenkeeping community. As we release this episode on the eve of Thank a Super Day, we want to raise awareness about the mental health struggles many greenkeepers face and start a conversation on how we can support them. Greenkeepers are the backbone of golf courses worldwide, and it's time we show them the recognition they deserve—not just today but every day. Join us as we celebrate Thank a Super Day and take the first step toward building a stronger, more supportive greenkeeping community. Stay tuned for more content on how we’re working to make a lasting impact.

In this chapter of Tru-Turf’s Super Series, we catch up with Dave Edmondson, the Head Greenkeeper of the historic Prestwick Golf Club, birthplace of The Open Championship. Dave shares his journey in turf management, discussing the unique challenges of maintaining the prestigious links course. He discusses the crucial role that Tru-Turf rollers play in achieving optimal green conditions and maintaining the heritage of one of golf’s most revered courses. Tune in to hear Dave’s expert insights into sustainable and traditional turf management, the turning points in his global career and the legacy of Prestwick. www.truturf.com TRU-TURF

Tru-Turf General Manager Nick Thornton catches up with Longboat Key Golf Club's Director of Agronomy/Superintendent John Reilly in the sixth episode of Tru-Turf's Super Series. John discusses the benefits of rolling on Tru-Turf rollers, recounts his journey with Paspalum grass and talks about his life on turf in general.