Turfgrass Management
Turfgrass management involves the science and business of utilizing turfgrass in primarily recreational settings. A large majority of these recreational settings are golf courses.
Turfgrass managers must know the basic science of agronomy and must be able to provide a beautiful landscape. Government and societal forces demand that they preserve and enhance the environment and not allow it to be destroyed.
At the same time, turfgrass managers must also be able to control weeds and pests and select, operate, and maintain equipment. They must be able to prepare and follow a budget. In many cases, these managers are responsible for hiring, training, and supervising a competent staff.
Pursuing Turfgrass Management
Students who are considering turfgrass management as a major will benefit from a good background in biology, chemistry, math, and written and oral communication. Industry experience such as summer work on a golf course is highly recommended.
Students interested in pursuing the degree in turfgrass management enter directly into the program upon completion of their admission requirements. All applicants are strongly encouraged to arrange a campus visit to become better acquainted with the program.
The turfgrass management curriculum is predominately centered on the golf course management industry. In an Associate of Applied Science degree program, approximately half of the course requirements are in the general studies areas of written and oral communication, math, natural science, social science, and business.
Technical courses make up approximately half of the turfgrass management degree program. All turfgrass students must successfully complete two courses related to golf course management. Many students enjoy the fact that technical course requirements begin in the first quarter of enrollment. Areas of emphasis in technical courses include turfgrass management, turf practices, irrigation, golf course organization and management, plant materials, pest control, mechanics, and equipment operation.
To obtain the Associate of Applied Science degree in turfgrass management, students must complete a minimum of 109 quarter credit hours with a cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.00 or above. At least 63 quarter credit hours must be completed in technical studies, and a minimum of 47 quarter credit hours must be completed in basic and general studies.
Students in the turfgrass management program are required to complete a course called practicum. Practicum is supervised work experience on campus, which allows students to improve skills and apply classroom learning. Practicum work experiences for turfgrass students may include equipment operation, irrigation, construction, and maintenance.
Internships and Industry Activities
Students in the turfgrass management program must successfully complete a 16-week internship of full-time employment at an approved turfgrass management facility. Ohio State ATI works with students to find appropriate internship positions in both Ohio and other states. Internship is a course for which students enroll and pay tuition. Students are paid for their employment, graded on their job performance, and awarded academic credit for completing the course.
Career Prospects in Turfgrass Management
A variety of management and technical positions are available for individuals educated and trained in turfgrass management. Employment opportunities exist with golf courses and country clubs, parks, lawn care firms, and sod farms.
Turfgrass management graduates are employed as golf course superintendents, assistant golf course superintendents, golf course maintenance specialists, grounds maintenance managers, lawn care technicians, and sales representatives for golf course and turf management supplies.
Employment opportunities in the turfgrass and golf course industries are very strong, and this situation is expected to continue for several years.
Graduates of the turfgrass management program at Ohio State ATI have been employed at many golf courses recognized as being among the most outstanding in the country. Ohio State ATI graduates are currently employed at Firestone Country Club, Inverness Club, The Golf Club at New Albany, and Canterbury Country Club, all of which are in Ohio; Cherry Hills in Colorado; Interlachen Country Club in Minnesota; Pleasant Valley Country Club in Massachusetts; Baltimore Country Club in Maryland; and Old Marsh Country Club and John's Island Resort in Florida, among many others. There are also several graduates at international locations.
Related Programs
Because of related yet diverse interests, some students choose to pursue dual majors during their enrollment at Ohio State ATI. Other students may select additional technical courses not required in their major without necessarily completing the requirements for a second degree. Either choice can serve to broaden students educational experience and enhance their employment opportunities.
Ohio State ATI also offers an Associate of Science degree in Horticultural Science. This degree option allows students to begin their course work toward a Bachelor of Science degree. Students who pursue this degree at Ohio State ATI can meet a portion of the requirements for a bachelors degree at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
In addition, this degree contains the transfer module, a common set of general education courses, which apply to bachelors degrees at other colleges in Ohio.
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For questions, please contact:
Office of Admissions
(800) 647-8283 (Ohio only) or (330) 287-1327
Email: ati@osu.edu
Degrees Offered:
Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Science in Horticultural Science
Download Fact Sheet (PDF)
A Quick Glance at Curriculum
The grass is truly greener on our campus, thanks to the students in our internationally recognized Turfgrass Management program. Preparing for careers in golf course management or the management and maintenance of parks, campuses and athletic fields.
But you can't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Some of the most important learning experiences for Turfgrass Management students occur in a variety of outdoor settings. You may even have the opportunity to care for our golf hole and USGA green -- just a short putt from the center of campus -- as well as our campus grounds.
Sample Curriculum
First Year
Autumn Quarter- Technical Mathematics I
- Chemistry I
- First-Year Written Composition
- Personal and Career Orientation
- Turfgrass Management
- Practicum
- Intro to Golf Course Management
- Microcomputer Applications
Winter Quarter- Soils and Soil Management
- Botany
- Chemistry II
- Technical Reporting
- Social science or humanities elective
Spring Quarter- Turf Practices
- Irrigation and Drainage for Landscape, Nursery, and Turf
- Essentials of Oral Communication
- Occupational Internship
- Humanities or social science elective
Summer QuarterSecond Year
Autumn Quarter- Engine Basics
- Landscape Horticulture Plants & Materials I
- Weed Control -- Landscape
- Pesticides and Their Uses
Winter Quarter- Landscape, Nursery, & Turfgrass Equipment
- Golf Course Organization & Management
- Plant Diseases of Ornamentals and Turf
- Human Resource Management
- Social science or humanities elective
Spring Quarter- Accounting for Technicians
- General Economics
- Herbaceous Plants
- General and Applied Entomology
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