Hodges University to offer degree in Turfgrass Management

Dec. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Hodges University's Kenneth Oscar Johnson School of Business is introducing an Associate in Science in Turfgrass Management.  The program will launch for the winter 2010 term and be offered at both Hodges campuses in Fort Myers and Naples.  The objective of the program is to prepare students to become golf course superintendents and professional turfgrass managers.
   
The core classes within this program are structured to help the students establish and maintain a comprehensive knowledge base with respect to all golf course operations issues related to turfgrass management, environmental responsibility, and personnel management.  These courses will also help students gain a high degree of proficiency in the language of turfgrass management.  All credits earned from this degree are acceptable toward the Hodges University’s Bachelor of Science in Management degree.  This accelerated Bachelor’s degree will have a turfgrass management emphasis.

According to Dr. Terry McMahan, President of Hodges, the school feels that the turfgrass management program will become quite popular in the area.  “As a tourist destination, we are fortunate to have some of the best golf courses in the world right here in our own backyard,” he said.  “This degree will offer students the technical training necessary to meet the challenges of golf courses, sports turf, lawn care, and park maintenance industries.”

“The turf industry is relatively young, but it is clearly a major industry that continues to expand and provide many levels of excellent career opportunities.  We surveyed over 500 golf course superintendents, golf club managers and landscape professionals to determine their level of interest.  We found that the demand for college-educated personnel with a degree in turfgrass management is strong.  Maintaining high quality turf, subjected to intense use and the harsh Florida climate, requires skill and experience.  As our area continues to grow, we feel that there will be continued growth and expansion in the turf industry as well.”

To head the program, Hodges University welcomes Dr. Lee Berndt.  “Initiating a turf management program is good for our community, as its economy is directly related to golf and other recreational venues involving turfgrass,” said Dr. Berndt.  "It is the only program of its kind in the southwestern region of Florida that will assist students with becoming golf course superintendents and other professional turfgrass managers.”

Professional turfgrass managers blend the technical expertise of turfgrass culture and physiology with the challenges of managing insects, diseases, and weed populations to keep turf areas green and healthy.  A turfgrass manager is responsible for the production, maintenance, quality, and performance of turfgrass for areas such as golf courses, home lawns, athletic fields, commercial lawns, parks, recreation areas, sod farms, and other areas where turfgrass is utilized.  Opportunities in the field range from municipal and state positions, private and public golf courses and lawn and landscape companies. The challenges and opportunities for turf managers to excel are limitless.

With a Bachelor’s in Management, successful turf managers can use their degrees to  expand their careers into club management, ownership of small businesses related to turf, consulting, management of firms, and turf-related sales and marketing.

For more information about this program or any of the degrees offered at Hodges University, call (239) 482-0019 in Fort Myers, (239) 513-1122 in Naples, or visit www.hodges.edu.

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Hodges University, founded in 1990, has emerged as one of Florida’s leading institutions of higher learning with main campuses in Naples and Ft. Myers. Hodges University offers Associate, Baccalaureate and Graduate degrees. Visit www.hodges.edu.