The EW Podcast - Joel & Jack with Walter Pritchett - Championship Week at Hurstbourne

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 Hurstbourne CC, it's one of Louisville’s hidden gems—steeped in history and known for its exceptional design. Walter discusses what it took to get the course championship-ready and credits Biological Soil Management and EarthWorks products as key to a smooth and successful week.

One player summed it up best: “I thought we were coming to play an off-week tournament in Kentucky—but it felt like a U.S. Open!” With 5-inch rough and small, firm greens, the course demanded precision and finesse. The tournament ended in dramatic fashion with a first-time champion firing a Sunday 61 to win by a stroke.
This episode is full of agronomic insight, tournament prep tips, and great turf talk—don’t miss it! A great conversation with a lot of agronomic and tournament prep ideas great fun for any turf manager.


Visit EarthWorks at:  https://www.earthworksturf.com
Podcasts: https://www.earthworksturf.com/earthworks-podcasts/
2 Minute Turf Talks: https://www.earthworksturf.com/2-minute-turf-talks/