The EarthWorks Podcast

The EarthWorks Podcast

The EarthWorks Podcast is a series of interviews and conversations hosted by many of the EarthWorks agronomists, featuring friends from the turf industry. Interviews include noted golf course superintendents, industry experts, agronomists and business people. These conversations are designed to inform and entertain. EarthWorks has been a leader in the discussion of Biological Soil Management and has been producing professional grade carbon based fertilizers for over 30 years. Each year over 15,000 soil tests are performed by the companies agronomists and all of this builds the focus of The EarthWorks Podcast. Please enjoy.

Episodes

September 11, 2025 60 mins
In this episode, Kevin sits down with Doug Kieffer of Spectrum Technologies to explore the tools reshaping turf management. Doug shares his unconventional journey from aerospace engineering to agronomy, including his years volunteering in Uganda, and how those experiences ultimately led him to his role as product training specialist at Spectrum.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Spectrum Technologies, from its early days ...
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For 35 years, EarthWorks agronomists have asked turf managers: What’s the most important nutrient in turf management? The answer is oxygen. Without oxygen in the soil, beneficial microorganisms can’t thrive—and healthy soil biology is the foundation of strong turf.

The challenge has always been delivering oxygen effectively. That’s where Rainmaker.Earth comes in. Their in-line irrigation system uses UV light, ozone, and hydrogen per...
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The concept of Food as Medicine has been central to Biological Soil Management, drawing a clear connection between human health and turf health. Just as proper nutrition helps our bodies build natural immunity and resist disease, balanced fertility programs help turf recover from stress, develop stronger roots, and support healthy soil biology.

In this episode, we revisit one of Jerry’s lectures given over a decade ago in Australia,...
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In this special dual podcast, Kevin Hicks and Brent Downs, CGCS MG, dive into their journeys in golf course management, career transitions, and a current course renovation project. They also explore woodworking as a creative outlet beyond the turf, sharing stories of tools, safety lessons, and the value of mentorship throughout their careers.

Hear insights from two voices in the golf industry as they discuss turf management, superin...
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Grass can take more! This week’s guest, Gage Knudson, keeps the turf at BMO Stadium—home of LAFC—in top form all year long. Right now, he’s juggling concerts in the middle of soccer season, plus on-field video shoots, because in Hollywood the action never stops. Hear how Gage and his crew execute a precise agronomic plan to keep the field in premier condition, no matter what’s on the calendar.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earth...
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This week, we welcome back Tyler Bloom of Bloom Golf Partners, an executive search and business consulting firm. Tyler began his career as a golf course superintendent, managing turf across several courses in the mid-Atlantic. Five years ago, he launched his company to help golf course managers improve recruitment strategies. Since then, Bloom Golf Partners has grown rapidly, expanding its focus beyond staffing to include broader b...
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Back by popular demand, we welcome Mr. Lawrence Mayhew—chemist and humic substance specialist—to talk about the biology of thatch. Thatch is the result of an imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio within the soil profile, often caused by the overuse of synthetic nitrogen. It can restrict air and water movement through the turf, fails to provide a usable carbon food source for microbes, and does not support a strong playing surfa...
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Louis Pitcock, Golf Course Superintendent, Avalon Golf Club joins us on the podcast to share innovative strategies for managing the demands of 300-round days during an endless summer. How does he keep both the turf and crew performing at a high level? His unique approach offers several insights you won’t want to miss.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2...
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Joel Simmons and Jack Higgins catch up with our friend—and returning EarthWorks Podcast guest—Walter Pritchett, Superintendent at Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. Walter recently hosted the ISCO Championship at his course, where Jack had the chance to volunteer. In this episode, Walter shares insights on the prep, the pressure, and the payoff of managing his first PGA tournament.

If you're not familiar with Hurstbou...
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Herons Glen Golf & Country Club, located in the Fort Myers area of Florida, is a high-traffic public facility with over 55,000 rounds of golf played annually. That alone is a big responsibility for any golf course superintendent—but add in 1,300 homes around the property, all of which rely on the course's irrigation system, and the job becomes even more complex. That’s the daily reality for Tim Kortanek.

We met Tim last year at ...
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If you're looking to learn a methodical, consistent—and surprisingly peaceful—approach to greenkeeping, this episode is for you. Dave Wood gets the job done with a smile, and Stockton University's greenkeeping success has earned international recognition. After hosting Brazil’s CR Flamengo—one of the world’s most popular sports franchises—Stockton is now a sought-after training base for the 2026 World Cup in North America. You'll e...
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In this episode, Charlie Aubry, Director of Agronomy at East Lake, discusses his early career, East Lake’s renovation, and year-round preparation for the Tour Championship. He shares insights on turfgrass choices, design considerations, community involvement, and what makes the course’s conditioning world-class—plus some personal favorites in a lightning round.

Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://w...
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On this episode of the EarthWorks Podcast, step back into the early days of the United States. We visit Liberty Hall Museum in Union, New Jersey, adjacent to Kean University and once home to a founding family, including a signer of the Constitution and the first elected governor of New Jersey. Kayla Doyle, Curator of Archives, sets the stage with historical context before Megan Couch, Assistant Director of Grounds, and Jeff Eckert,...
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Armen Suny returns to the podcast, and once again, he delivers valuable insights that are essential listening for anyone in the golf industry. In this episode, Armen dives into current hiring trends and what clubs are truly looking for in today’s superintendents. He emphasizes the growing importance of leadership and why it's critical for professionals, especially those early in their careers, to invest in leadership training now.W...
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In this episode, Kirk Castner takes us through his journey from a sports-focused upbringing to a career in turf and agronomy. He shares how he transitioned from fieldwork to sales at EarthWorks, all while juggling work, family life, and earning two master’s degrees. The conversation explores the inner workings of product manufacturing, supply chain challenges—including the surprising ripple effects of bird flu—and the evolving land...
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Biological soil management isn’t just theory—it’s real, and every now and then, we meet someone who proves it in remarkable ways. At a recent EarthWorks Academy in Greenville, South Carolina, we had the pleasure of meeting Zac Ramey, a young golf course superintendent with a powerful success story.

Zac introduced himself to Joel Simmons and shared how he transformed the soil profile at the Country Club of Spartanburg, where he serve...
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Ryan Kuster of Ag Enterprise joins Kevin for an in-depth conversation on the future of sprayer technology. Together, they unpack the mechanics, precision, and innovation driving the evolution of modern turf sprayers. Ryan shares real-world insights and highlights some of Ag Enterprise’s most unique custom projects, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology is enhancing application accuracy and operational efficiency....
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John Reilly joins us to delve into the evolving topic of organic matter in golf greens. There’s been considerable discussion across the industry about how to best test organic matter, with new methods like the OM 2, 4, 6 tests gaining traction. Our key question for John was: Do these tests differentiate between beneficial and harmful organic matter?

Anyone familiar with John knows he’s one of the most data-driven superintendents in ...
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We're coming to you from the hallowed athletic fields of LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Our guest, Jeremy Tredway—Director of Athletic Fields and Grounds at LSU—shares what it takes to manage 18 intensely active acres. A standout example: Alex Box Stadium, home to LSU Baseball, hosts an incredible 350 events each year. Jeremy dives into the challenges of maintaining overseeded ryegrass on Celebration Bermudagrass amid the region’s ...
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The first rounds of the PGA Championship begin on May 15th, but the preparation to make it all happen started well over a year ago. That’s something Keith Wood, Director of Green and Grounds at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, knows all too well. He’s been at Quail Hollow for 10 years and has hosted a tournament every year, including the 2017 PGA Championship.

We talked about what it takes to set up an event of this s...
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