UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Golf Turf Conference, slated for Oct. 10-12 at Penn State’s HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus, will feature sessions on golf course management, a turfgrass job and internship fair, and the Watschke Scholarship Golf Tournament.

This conference is designed for golf turf professionals and industry representatives; turfgrass students looking for internships; pending graduates of turfgrass programs seeking full-time employment in golf, sports, lawn care and the turf industry; anyone interested in turfgrass management; and those seeking educational credits from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and/or state pesticide applicator credits.

Organizers noted that the conference will include top-tier speakers, including United States Golf Association agronomists, university faculty, golf course superintendents, industry representatives, graduate students and others, and will offer a knowledge-sharing and networking experience for anyone passionate about turfgrass management.

The conference will cover:

• The latest turfgrass pest control recommendations.
• Information about the latest technology, including GPS sprayers and autonomous mowers.
• A comprehensive look back at the 2023 turf industry season.
• Insights on championship-level turf maintenance, including innovative techniques and collaboration with the U.S. Golf Association to enhance golf course quality. 

The job and internship fair will provide opportunities for professionals, industry representatives and students to connect. Students in Penn State’s turfgrass programs can seek part-time or full-time employment opportunities. Companies looking to tap into this talent pool can secure a job fair booth or table to engage with prospective candidates. Attendees can engage in resume reviews, mock interviews and giveaways. While the event welcomes everyone, registration is free for full-time job and internship seekers.

The Thomas Watschke Scholarship Golf Tournament is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Thomas Watschke. As a professor of turfgrass science at Penn State, Watschke advised undergraduate turfgrass science majors and coordinated the undergraduate turfgrass science program in the Department of Plant Science. This annual gathering serves as a platform to generate funds for the Thomas L. Watschke Award of Excellence in Turfgrass Science in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences.

Attendance at certain educational sessions will qualify participants for educational points from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and pesticide update training required for Pennsylvania pesticide applicator certification.

Participants must register by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 6. The registration fee is $150. More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.