UMD Turf Bowl teams pose with their prizes for placing in the annual Collegiate Turf Bowl in San Diego
When the turf gets tough, Terps get tougher.
Students from the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) and the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture (PSLA) set a school record by placing three teams in top spots (3rd, 4th, and 11th ) at the 19th Annual Colegiate Turf Bowl held in San Diego, CA on February 7. Two-hundred forty-seven students divided into 68 teams took part in the competition.
The 3rd place team consisted of veterans Bryan Shepherd (IAA), Josh Malnik (IAA), R.J. Crow (IAA) and first year student Ryan Higgins (PSLA). The 4th place team had two new members, Brian Hogan (IAA) and Brent Waite (IAA), and was anchored by veterans Justin Patenaude (IAA) and Scot Hosier (IAA). The 11th place team--just shy of 10th by 2 points--was led by Brian Dearstine (IAA) and Matt Park (IAA) working with first year competitors Steve Brew (IAA) and Trey Profili (PSLA). The Maryland Teams, coached by IAA Advisor Kevin Mathias and UMD Sports Technician Alex Steinman, earned $1,800 in prize money.
The Collegiate Turf Bowl covers an array of different subject areas and a case study. Students identify turfgrasses, insects, diseases, weeds and different types of soil. Students are also tested on personnel and business management related topics, integrated pest management programs relating to pest control strategies, basic concepts of turfgrass growth, and cultural practices related to golf turf management.
The Turf Bowl competition comes just one month after the Terps took first place in the Sports Turf Managers Competition in Daytona Beach, FL. Despite the winter weather, the turf is clearly thriving at the University of Maryland!
