Facility tour and information on the expanding turf program highlight the visit

Cal Poly Pomona hosted an open house for the golf industry on July 28 at its on-campus turf center.  Located in Los Angeles County, the University’s Huntley College of Agriculture offers a variety of applied science programs in Agricultural Science, Animal Health Science, Animal Science, Food Science & Technology, Nutrition Science and Dietetics, and Plant Science. 

The Center for Turf Irrigation & Landscape Technology (CTILT) is a living laboratory for turf and irrigation coursework and research.  The center is essential in promoting professional development, enhancing research and scholarly activities, and developing internships and career opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. 

The open house served as an opportunity to educate golf industry professionals on the current financial, research, technology and equipment needs of the program.  Representatives from GCSAA, the GCSA of Southern California, San Diego GCSA and the Southern California Golf Association were all in attendance. 

Current priorities for the program include:

• Program support to enhance the student experience to support travel, educational field trips, internships, and scholarships. 
• Investment in continuing to improve the facilities and equipment.  Funds to assist with an equipment technician and funding of necessary equipment and tools including a rough unit, hedge trimmers, aerator, shovels, rakes and pruning saws. 
• Opportunities to foster student and faculty research surrounding innovate technologies such as remote sensing, GIS, and SMS. 

The program has recently produced numerous interns, AIT’s and assistant superintendents who are working at courses throughout the State of California.  The school’s turf club won the 2020 Collegiate Turf Bowl Championship in Orlando as well. 

The program has struggled to maintain students and get back on its feet following the Covid pandemic which restricted on campus attendance for nearly two years. 

Anyone who is interested in donating financially to the program or providing an in-kind donation of equipment can contact me at jjensen@gcsaa.org and I will put you in touch with the correct staff members to assist with your donation. 

We thank the staff of Cal Poly for having us out to visit the center and I hope that many of our industry professionals will consider supporting the program throughout all areas of our state.  There has never been a greater need for educated professionals in the turf industry and now is our chance to assist the program while growing our available labor force.