SUNY Delhi Hosts Golf/Turf Equipment Education and Demonstration Day

Related Media

SUNY Delhi visiting instructor Joann Gruttadaurio introduces turf industry leaders to students as part of the college's Golf/Turf Equipment Education and Demonstration Day.

DELHI, NY (05/02/2015)(readMedia)-- Over 40 SUNY Delhi Golf and Sports Turf Management majors connected with industry leaders and tested the latest in turf equipment on April 13 at the college's golf course, which serves as a learning laboratory for students.

Industry representatives from Toro, Jacobsen and John Deere demonstrated over $500,000 in state-of-the-art equipment. The event was organized by visiting instructor Joann Gruttadaurio and Dominic Morales, who led Delhi's golf and turf programs for over 35 years. "Delhi's golf and turf programs have had a strong, professional relationship with industry leaders who continue to support Delhi's educational mission to develop and train the future leaders of New York's turf industry," said Dean Emeritus Morales. "This annual event has given students first-hand knowledge and experience operating new equipment for over 30 years."

This year, students learned how the latest technology in turf management equipment is used to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact and meet the newest EPA standards.

Local industry supporters and distributors visited from three companies. Christopher Hyman, Golf and Turf Sales representative (a SUNY Delhi alumnus), Scott Conway, Golf and Turf Sales Representative, and Hans Pogge, Golf and Turf Account Manager, represented Cazenovia Equipment Company (John Deere). Also representing John Deere as a National Golf Production Specialist was William Stone. Visiting from MTE-Moffett Turf Equipment (Jacobsen) were New York Sales Account Managers Mike Curtis and Rob Palulis. Chris Pogge, SCPS, Division Manager, represented Grasslands Equipment and Irrigation, Corp. (Toro).

Visiting instructor Gruttadaurio added, "This day was a great opportunity for our students to see up close some of the latest technological advances in turf management equipment and interact with professionals who gladly shared their experiences and views on cutting edge technology for today's turf manager."

SUNY Delhi's Golf and Sports Turf Management program gives students extensive hands-on experience in the classroom, laboratory and on numerous athletic fields and the college's 18-hole golf course. Students gain credits and invaluable, working experience during summer internships at golf and turf facilities across the country. Delhi's Golf and Sports Turf Management is designed so that those students may pursue an associate degree and those interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in the field can do so without loss of credit or time.

For more information about SUNY Delhi's Golf and Sports Turf Management, call Enrollment Services at 800-96-DELHI or visit on the web at www.delhi.edu/academics/majors/turf-management.