Episode 9 – Dan Grogan: Turf Trials, Tech Tools, and Turfgrass Legacy
Show Summary
In this episode of The LowDowns, Brent Downs welcomes longtime friend and respected Superintendent Dan Grogan of The Sagamore Club. With summer stress, crew challenges, and cutting-edge turf tech all in play, Dan shares a deeply personal and professional reflection on what it takes to thrive in modern golf course management.
From the brutal summer of 2025 to his early days influenced by a turf family legacy, Dan opens up about the lessons he's learned, the mentors who shaped him, and the tools that keep him pushing boundaries—like GPS sprayers and robotic mowers. But it’s not all agronomics. The episode also explores Dan’s life outside the turf, from family and sand volleyball to his golden retriever, Maverick.
It's a conversation filled with laughs, leadership wisdom, and a heartfelt look at the people and places that define our turf careers.
Top Takeaways
- Resilience in Rough Seasons – Dan details the extreme summer of 2025 and how he kept his team healthy, motivated, and grounded through it all.
- Tech That’s Actually Working – A practical breakdown of Toro GeoLink GPS sprayers, plus candid thoughts on robotic mowers and FireFly fairway units.
- Unique Property, Big Challenges – Sagamore Club’s expansive native areas and A1 greens present both maintenance hurdles and high rewards.
- Power of Social Media (with a Warning) – How Dan’s use of X (formerly Twitter) shaped his growth—and why he’s dialed it back.
- Legacy in the Turf – Growing up with a father and uncle in the business shaped Dan’s career path more than he realized.
- Influencers Who Mattered – A nod to Kyle and Gary Myers, and the mentors who molded Dan’s approach to turf and leadership.
- Balance Off the Turf – Family time, competitive sports, and a dog named Maverick help Dan stay centered beyond the 18th green.
⏱ Chapters and Timestamps
- 00:00 | Episode Intro + PSA on the 2025 Summer
- 03:48 | The Summer of 2025: Weather, Crew & Culture
- 10:10 | Technology for the Superintendent: GPS Sprayers, Robots & More
- 17:10 | Challenges of The Sagamore Club
- 22:39 | Dan’s Social Media Journey: From Twitter Power User to Occasional Poster
- 27:40 | A Turf Family Legacy: Multi-Generational Superintendent
- 32:12 | Memories of a Career: Nicklaus, Bryson, and NCAA Regionals
- 38:35 | Influencers and Mentors: Kyle & Gary Myers
- 41:07 | Life Beyond Work: Family, Volleyball, Sports & Maverick the Dog
- 46:00 | Two Truths and a Lie + Fastest Two Minutes in Podcasting
- 53:40 | Final Reflections: What’s Next and What Matters Most
- 57:20 | Outro & Episode 10 Preview: Adam Moeller
If you're navigating turf through tough weather, curious about GPS tech, or just want to hear from a superintendent who's seen it all and still loves the grind—this episode with Dan Grogan delivers. From brutal summer stress to fatherhood and fairways, Dan shares stories that are honest, hilarious, and filled with practical wisdom.
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