Reel Turf Techs Podcast

Burke Anders

Burke Anders started working at a Phillips 66 filling station when he was a young man. Now he is the equipment manager at  Columbia Country Club in Blythewood, SC. Anders spent many years traveling the Carolinas while working for Smith Turf and Irrigation, the Toro distributor for that area, as a mobile service technician. He has a wealth of knowledge on turf equipment. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Know Before You Go 2023 CTS

Everything you need to know from a equipment managers perspective for this years Conference and Trade Show in Sunny Orlando. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Matt Radatz, CTEM

Matt Radatz, CTEM, equipment manager at Hawks Landing Golf Club in Verona, WI, started at the age of 15 working on a golf course for his dad, who was the superintendent. Matt quickly learned the ropes on equipment. He worked through EMCP levels one and two. He earned certified turf equipment manager status this summer. He is the first father and son team to both be certified. His dad Neil Radatz is a certified golf course superintendent. His dad is his mentor and they have a great  relations...

Bob Smith

Bob Smith, Equipment Manager at PGA Frisco Golf Course in Frisco, TX, worked in construction most of his life before getting into club fitting. He heard about the amazing property that would be PGA Frisco and had to be a part of it. He started working in the shop during construction of the course and shortly became equipment manager. It’s a great story of setting your mind to something and achieving it. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Che...

2022 RTT Wrapped

Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Wisconsin Roadshow Recap with Austin Wright, CTEM

Our host, Trent Manning, CTEM recaps his trip across Wisconsin with Austin Wright, CTEM. He started at Chicago Golf Club where he met Tony Nunes. Then, stopped by Medina to see Brian Bressler. He spoke a Kenosha Country Club for the Wisconsin Chapter of GCSAA. Next he spent the day with Austin Wright. CTEM at Sand Valley Golf Resort. He did a tour of the Foley Company factory in Prescott, WI. He also went to the Toro Company headquarters. He stopped by Town and Country Club to visit Chad Bra...

2022 Carolina Conference recap with Bryan Epland, CTEM

Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Bill Ledford

Bill Ledford, equipment manager at River Bend YMCA Golf Club in Shelby, NC, grew up working at a filling station owned by his parents. His mother taught him at a young age the value of treating people the way you want to be treated. Bill is one of those guys you meet once and feel like you have known him your whole life. For most of his career he was in field service for the Jacobsen distributor. Now he is semi-retired and just turning wrenches at a golf course. He still helps his wife, Mrs....

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 12/4/22

Outside the Shop with Scott Griffith, CGCS

In this episode we are taking to Scott Griffith, CGCS, Director of Agronomy at University of Georgia Golf Course. He has a new respect for Equipment Managers after he lost his to a nonwork related injury. He had to step in and run the shop for 2 months until Mickey Wilson returned. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Aaron Kirsch

Aaron Kirsch, equipment manager at Saginaw Country Club in Saginaw, MI, grew up working on a farm and after a stint in retail ended up at a golf course. He learnt a lot of his mechanical skills from his dad as a kid working on dirt bikes. He still has a passion for dirt bikes. He buys used bikes and fixes them up and sells them to make some side money. Listen in to find out how he made worm busters for his fairway units.  Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTec...

Texas Roadshow Recap with Howard Horne

Join us for a Texas Roadshow recap! Howard Horne, Equipment Manager at Bear’s Best Atlanta joined our host for a Georgia to Texas journey stopping at The Alotian Club, Trinity Forest, and PGA Frisco. We met lots of good friends along the way and attended the first EM seminar in North Texas. Hear our thoughts on the brand new PGA Frisco facility, BBQ, and the cheap hotels our host tries to book for his friends. If you ever decided to travel with Trent, you’ve been warned! Tweet us @ReelTurfT...

Kevin Bauer

Kevin Bauer, CTEM, equipment manager at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA, started working on the golf course at the young age of 13. His first job was fetching balls out of the creek for free golf. Kevin was a longtime service tech for a Jacobsen distributor and worked at several golf courses in the Chicagoland area before heading east to Plymouth to be closer to family. In his free time Kevin enjoys playing a round or two of golf and kayak fishing with his kids. Kevin is one of the first...

Kevin Bauer. CTEM

Kevin Bauer, CTEM, equipment manager at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA, started working on the golf course at the young age of 13. His first job was fetching balls out of the creek for free golf. Kevin was a longtime service tech for a Jacobsen distributor and worked at several golf courses in the Chicagoland area before heading east to Plymouth to be closer to family. In his free time Kevin enjoys playing a round or two of golf and kayak fishing with his kids. Kevin is one of the first...

Nick Surrette

Nick Surrette, Equipment Manager at Union League Golf Club at Torresdale in Philadelphia, PA was introduced to the turf industry by his golf coach that just so happened to know Mike Elliott. Nick started a Pine Valley working for Mike as an assistant technician. Then he made his way to the Union League to run his own shop as the equipment manager. He is off to a great start and has learned so much from Mike and his high school shop teacher. He likes to work on his Subaru WRX in his spare tim...

Mike Elliot

Mike Elliott, Head Equipment Manager at The Philadelphia Union League in Philadelphia, PA started working on the golf course at the age of 14. He got some great advice from the superintendent at the time, you should be a golf course mechanic. That’s exactly what he did. He set his ambitions pretty high by aspiring to be the equipment manager at Augusta National. He may have not made it to Augusta but he did make it to Pine Valley, yeah that Pine Valley. Now he is happy to be a part of the am...

Dan Willaims

Dan Williams, equipment manager at Vestavia Country Club in Vestavia Hills, AL, started out in the foundry industry working on machines for most of his career. For the last ten years he was a mobile service guy traveling all over the world. He was ready to get off the road and be close to home when he answered a listing on a job board for a golf course equipment technician. He had no idea what he was getting into but has adapted very well with some mentors in the industry.  Tweet us @ReelTu...

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 8/14/22

Tate Johnson

Tate Johnson, assistant technician at Chambers Bay in University Place, WA, was brought into the turf industry by his dad who is a superintendent. He has worked alongside his dad since a young age. His dad has also brought his brothers into the industry as assistant superintendents. Tate's decision to enter the industry took him straight to the shop where he works alongside a senior technician in Jerry Holcomb. Tate has a great passion for this career and wants to see more younger people joi...

David Blowers

David Blowers, Senior technician at Abell Turf and Tractor in Holly Springs, GA, was forced into Lake City Community College by his dad because he liked his mom’s cooking. He worked at a few golf courses before moving to the distributor side. Where he was the service manager at Georgia Turf and Tractor for many years. David is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to turf equipment and especially John Deere equipment. In the episode we touch on a lot of really important things like fostering r...

Daniel Barnes

Daniel Barnes, Equipment Manager at The Ford Field and River Club in Richmond Hill, GA, was dragged to Lake City Community College by his grandma and entered the golf course maintenance program having never set foot on a golf course. After a stint as a small engine mechanic at an asphalt plant and some road time as a mobile service tech, Daniel found his professional calling at the golf course with its wide variety of things to wrench on. Learn what makes TETAC so great and the value of loca...

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 6/26/22

Austin Wright, CTEM

Lured to loving the game of golf as a kid, Austin Wright, CTEM, studied golf course management at Kansas State University before falling for the equipment side. After getting the basics at Washburn Technical, Austin learned under some great Kansas City superintendents then landed his current gig at Sand Valley Golf Resort in Rome, WI. Hear about Austin’s very cool lawnmower racing hobby, foamers, and some dad life tips you won’t want to miss.  Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning E...

Kayla Kipp: US Women's Open 2022 Recap

Kayla Kipp, Equipment Manager at Nemacolin Resort, returns to the podcast to share some insider insight on volunteering at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles. Kayla gives all credit to David Fruchte, CGCS, and his team of nine for ‘cutting a diamond’ at the course and welcoming the team of 31 volunteers to support his crew. Kayla enthusiastically shares the experience of being on a crew with so many other women in an industry where women are underrepresented (to say the least!). Kayl...

Nick Bonasoro

After attending automotive trade school and realizing he didn’t want to lift car and truck tires for the foreseeable future, Nick took off to the Power Sport Institute and started his career in a parts store. Nick’s grandma played a key part in his path when she brought him a newspaper ad clipping looking for a golf course mechanic. Nick honed his skills at a public course before landing at the Worcester Country Club as equipment manager and eventually facilities manager, maintaining clubhou...

Robert Martyszczyk

Robert Martyszczyk is among the born tinkerers of equipment managers, growing up with a mechanic dad and spending a lot of time in the garage. After many years of working on outdoor power equipment and building up his knowledge, an opportunity at TPC River Highlands (Cromwell, CT) came knocking. Robert learned golf course wrenching from a 31-year industry veteran. An outdoor enthusiast in his free time, you’ll find Robert camping, hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking as often as he can. Rob...

Ryan Haptonstall

After attending tech school as a diesel mechanic, Ryan spent lots of time on the road and working second shift with a young family at home. Looking for a better fit for family life, he stumbled across a golf course job on Indeed and describes discovering the turf industry as the best thing that’s happened to his career. We’re talking fabricating trailers and reel racks, reel storage ideas, and why it’s so great to be a golf course equipment manager. Meet one of the up and coming leaders in o...

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 5/22/22

John Patterson

John Patterson, equipment manager at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, GA, rebuilt his first engine with his dad at eight years old and never wanted to be anything other than a mechanic. Fed up with Chicago winters, John headed south with plans to become a marine mechanic in southwest Florida. When every boat mechanic he met told him to do something else, John answered an ad at a golf course and after passing the “righty tighty, lefty loosey” test, the rest is history. From fabricating a...

Episode 63: John Patterson, CTEM

John Patterson, equipment manager at Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, GA, rebuilt his first engine with his dad at eight years old and never wanted to be anything other than a mechanic. Fed up with Chicago winters, John headed south with plans to become a marine mechanic in southwest Florida. When every boat mechanic he met told him to do something else, John answered an ad at a golf course and after passing the “righty tighty, lefty loosey” test, the rest is history. From fabricating a...

Shelby DuBois

Growing up in rural Missouri with a golf course as the only employer closer than a 45-minute drive, Shelby Dubois started out on the crew raking bunkers and walk-mowing greens. After attending Ranken Technical College for high-performance racing technology, Shelby found her way to the equipment side of the golf course. Shelby is the assistant technician at the Talisker Club at Tuhaye in Utah with dreams of heading to Florida. Find Shelby 4-wheeling, at the dragstrip or watching YouTubes abou...

Gersain Villavicencio

Gersain Villavicencio is the Equipment Manager at Glen Arven Country Club in Thomasville, GA. Gersain followed his dad into the golf course world after finishing auto tech school and working at a transit bus garage. This new dad of a little boy loves traveling with his wife and deep sea fishing in his free time. And his deep sea fishing story is one we won’t soon forget! Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Shane Pokorney

Shane Pokorney is the Equipment Manager at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas. Shane started at Colbert Hills as a Kansas State student, working on the crew for beer money, and moved into the shop for a pay bump. A self-taught (thanks, Google!) mechanic with a degree in wildlife management, Shane discovered he liked hunting for fun more than for work and headed back to Colbert Hills. Shane tells us about the bridge crane he fabricated and gets into some chainsaw modification talk...

Shane Pokorney, CTEM

Shane Pokorney is the Equipment Manager at Colbert Hills Golf Course in Manhattan, Kansas. Shane started at Colbert Hills as a Kansas State student, working on the crew for beer money, and moved into the shop for a pay bump. A self-taught (thanks, Google!) mechanic with a degree in wildlife management, Shane discovered he liked hunting for fun more than for work and headed back to Colbert Hills. Shane tells us about the bridge crane he fabricated and gets into some chainsaw modification talk...

Bryan Epland

United States Army veteran Bryan Epland is the Equipment Manager at Arbor Links Golf Course in Nebraska City, NE. After an award-winning career as an army metal worker, Bryan transitioned to wheel mechanic and later pipeline specialist. Bryan’s varied experience in the Army prepared him well for the wide range of skills needed as a golf course mechanic. Bryan weighs in on the benefits of relief grinding, takes us through a few highlights of his many fabrication projects, and shares his favor...

Bryan Epland, CTEM

United States Army veteran Bryan Epland is the Equipment Manager at Arbor Links Golf Course in Nebraska City, NE. After an award-winning career as an army metal worker, Bryan transitioned to wheel mechanic and later pipeline specialist. Bryan’s varied experience in the Army prepared him well for the wide range of skills needed as a golf course mechanic. Bryan weighs in on the benefits of relief grinding, takes us through a few highlights of his many fabrication projects, and shares his favor...

Chad Braun

We’re talking with Chad Braun, Equipment Manager at Town and Country Club in Saint Paul, MN. This Twitter-famous EM started at a young age, inspired by his mechanic dad to land a job at a municipality. Turf came calling instead. We discuss the importance of customizing your preventative maintenance routine for common issues, operator training, and a detailed walk-through of Chad’s cleaning procedure. You’ll be happy to find out Chad is every bit as good a guy as he seems on Twitter. This pro...

Matthew Caine

Matthew Caine, Equipment Manager at the Apes Hill Club in Barbados, started out working in the manufacturing industry. He saw an ad in a newspaper looking for a golf course fleet manager. He was interested at first but after talking to a coworker at his current job that had been there for 27 year and only had one Christmas off, the golf thing piqued his interest. Matthew manages five mechanics and a maintenance assistant in his current role. He has built a machine shop inside his shop to mak...

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 4/3/22

Ken Nail

Ken Nail, Equipment Manager at Heritage Pines Golf and Country Club in Hudson, Florida is a United States Marine Corps veteran who found himself a turf mechanic after one conversation about a ‘68 Camaro. Ken learned to relief grind on a Foley grinder from 1969 that was still running in the 2000s. We discuss Ken’s mentor in the industry and the importance of quality of cut vs. being really great at changing oil. Ken reminds us to communicate well with operators and not to be the ‘grumpy mecha...

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 3/27/22

Tim Thurston

Tim Thurston, Equipment Manager at the Ambassador Golf Club in Windsor, Ontario, started cutting lawns to make extra money and by high school had a crew of five working under him. Next Tim went to work at the golf course where his uncle was a superintendent and studied to be one himself. After serving as superintendent and EM at a series of courses Tim became a Jacobsen service manager and John Deere sales rep, traveling the globe equivalent to 90 times in his truck before settling back in a...

Reel Turf Techs Roadshow

Join us for a recap of our travels to the New England Turfgrass Conference. We also stopped by several shops on the way to and from. We got to visit with our good friend JR Wilson from Noyac Golf Club. he joins us for the recap. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Reel Talk: Twitter Space 3/20/22

Outside the Shop: Jason Miller

Jason Miller is the host of the Growing Golf Podcast. Listen in as we talk about the game of golf and  how it has changed our life's. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out our YouTube Channel

Brandon Hoag

Brandon Hoag is the Equipment manager at Glens Falls Country Club in Queensbury, New York and the 2021 Winner of the Most Valuable Technician Award presented by GCSAA and GCM Magazine in partnership with Foley Company. A newcomer to the industry with a pretty handy background in machining and fabrication, Brandon talks about his love of the Roller Tamer, the outdoors, and being a dad to two boys.  Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at [email protected] Check out...

David Prekop

This week we’re sitting down with David Prekop, Equipment Manager at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, South Carolina. Growing up with a family tradition of caddying at the 18-hole private course near his home, this lifelong motorhead went from the crew to the shop thanks to his own gumption and will to pay the bills. We discuss how backlapping can be used as a tool rather than a crutch, fabricating new hitches with a plasma cutter, and continue the brainstorming on how to get new technicians...

Bland Cooper

Hooked on golf at age 10 playing for the first time with his dad on a family vacation, Bland Cooper went to work on the golf course at a young age. After a time in golf course construction, a natural evolution to consulting led him to his eventual career as a PGA Tour agronomist. Hear about the importance of quality of cut and after cut appearance from someone who spends 160 nights a year on the road and has seen it all. We discuss the value of volunteering and why it’s one of the best educa...

2022 Conference and Trade Show Recap with Mike Rollins

Listen to two buddies who are all jacked up on Mountain Dew & Sour Patch Kids as we recap the 2022 GCSAA Conference and Show. We’ll tell you why you should try like hell to attend in Orlando in 2023, encourage you to submit a proposal to teach some EM content, and sell you on the Reel Turf Techs WhatsApp group. Deep discussion on EM - superintendent communication and personality types is also featured. And when you think this episode is over, it’s definitely not! Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and...

Iain Johnstone

Iain Johnstone is the Equipment Manager at the Donalda Club in Toronto, Ontario and an enthusiastic martial artist and guitarist in his free time. Like our host, Iain started out in the turf industry with his first job on the grounds crew. Following in his dad’s footsteps, Iain became a licensed auto mechanic. After six months back at a golf course he knew there was no going back to the auto shop. Hear from Iain on fabricating a reel transportation stand inspired by Bob’s Shop; talk fishing ...