Assistant Experiences a Special Ryder Cup

Ford Plantation Assistant Matt Sumpter, volunteered for the Ryder Cup at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. His jobs ranged from final greens set up (Figure 1) to mowing bunker banks (Figure 2). The jobs at Medinah allowed all the volunteers to experience various aspects that go into preparing for a major golf tournament.





Figure 1. Matt Sumpter standing on the 15th green after final inspection at the Ryder Cup.

Figure 2. Matt is putting the final touches on green side bunkers.

Matt, a former intern from 2010, had special ties to the course. Having spent a summer helping grow in the renovated fairways and greens, the tournament was especially exciting. "To go back, see how the golf course has come together over the years since the renovation and hosting The Ryder Cup was special." says Sumpter. For Matt, the experience was topped off by the opportunity to get to work side by side with past classmates, former supervisors, and industry professionals from all over the world.

 

Matt’s Ryder Cup experience is highlighted with other Purdue Alumni in the article by Purdue Connections.

Turf Team Attends GCSAA Show in Orlando, FL

Last week our turf management team attended the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Industry Show (GIS) in Orlando, Florida. Nelson, Jared, and Brooks participated in a wide variety of continuing education classes where they learned the latest research and management practices being used in the industry. 

The GCSAA Show offers many seminars ranging from turfgrass related educaion to professional development.

Along with taking multiple seminars, Nelson teamed with Dr. Eric Ervin from Virginia Tech and Troy Fink from the Country Club of Virginia to teach a one day seminar on organic matter control on putting greens. Leading this seminar was a great experience for Nelson and the three were honored by being asked to present their seminar twice at next years show.

Jared took a variety of seminars as well, but the highlight of his week was teaching a seminar on networking for assistant superintendents. This was Jared’s first time teaching a seminar at the GIS show and he has been asked to present this seminar again to superintendents in a webcast next month.

Brooks felt the most interesting part of the show was the trade show where he learned of the newest pesticides, equipment, and fertilizers among other things. Coupled with taking several educational seminars, he felt like it was a great GIS show.

Researching the newest equipment and advances in technology on the trade show floor is one of the highlights of the show.

Assistant Matt Sumpter participated with his alma-mater Purdue in the collegiate turf bowl competition. This is a four hour examination which test participants in comprehensive golf course management including, but not limited to; turfgrass ID and management, pest identification, business, and mechanical knowledge. We are happy to announce out of 85 teams, Matt’s team finished second.



Matt helped Purdue place 2nd at the 19th Annual Collegiate Turf Bowl Competition.



Golf Maintenance Welcomes Three New Staff Members!

   The golf course maintenance department is excited to welcome three new members to our staff; Equipment Manager, Alan Bussey; Assistant Superintendent, Brooks Riddle; and Assistant in Training, Matt Sumpter.

Alan comes to us from TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, New Jersey where he was the Equipment Manager for four years. Prior to his time with the TPC network he was the Head Technician for the Golf Club of Georgia located in Alpharetta, Georgia. Alan holds a degree in Turf Equipment Management from Florida Gateway College, numerous manufacture training certificates and is a certified class “A” Golf Course Equipment Manager through the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association. Alan brings not only his mechanical ability but also a wealth of knowledge to our staff including agronomic skills learned from being an assistant golf course superintendent for multiple years throughout north Florida.

In his free time Alan is an all around outdoors man, enjoying golf, both fresh and salt water fishing, hiking, and hunting; with annual trips around the country to support all four interest. Alan is accompanied by his wife of three years Sarah, a teacher of the blind and visually impaired, and their two “children” Sidni- an English Springer Spaniel, and Crash- a Collie mix.

Brooks comes to us from The Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he has spent the past three years as the Head Spray Technician. Like Nelson Caron, he earned a B.S. in Turfgrass Science from North Carolina State University and completed internships across the country at some of the most storied golf clubs in the nation. These include Old Chatham Golf Club in Durham, N.C., Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York, The Honors Course in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the famed Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Brooks is an avid golfer and reads many books on the history and game of golf. Brooks is enthusiastic about the opportunity to work as an assistant superintendent and maintain the golf course at a high level while expanding his knowledge under the direction of Nelson Caron.

Matt is originally from Plymouth, Indiana and a recent December graduate from Purdue University with a B.S. in Turfgrass Science. Matt, has completed internships at some of the top clubs in the country such as Medinah Country Club in Chicago, IL, Victoria National Golf Club in Evansville, IN, Kinloch Golf Club in Richmond, VA, and Indiana National Golf Club in Plymouth, IN. Not only did he broaden his horizons completing internships and various work experiences Matt, also spent a semester studying abroad in Aberystwyth, Wales.


Along with golf, Matt, enjoys the outdoors and traveling across the country. Matt is excited to start his career with us and broaden his understanding of agronomics and business management.

We feel extremely fortunate to have Alan, Brooks and Matt join our staff, and are excited to see what the future holds for them and our department. When you see them on the golf course make sure you welcome them to the Ford Plantation.