Performance Nutrition Superstar: Ryan Howard

Ryan Howard

Golf Course Superintendent Links at Perry Cabin SUPERSTAR

Where are you from?

Rising Sun, MD How did you get in the golf business?

My father introduced me to the game and I quickly fell in love with it. I began working on the maintenance staff at Ruggles Golf Course on Aberdeen Proving Ground at age 14. While working at Wyncote Golf Club, Superintendent, Mark DelSantro mentioned that there were colleges offering Golf Course Turfgrass Management programs for our profession and I enrolled at University of Maryland - Institute of Applied Agriculture shortly thereafter. What makes your course a “standout, outstanding“?

Links at Perry Cabin is Pete Dye’s final design featuring a Briaritz green, dramatic green contours and bunkering and is difficult and exciting routing that is located in the beautiful water town of Saint Michaels, MD on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. How has Performance Nutrition helped you be successful (favorite products, programs, technical assistance etc.)?

PNF fertilizers have been very beneficial in providing a comprehensive line of products that address all of our turf nutrition needs. Products in use: Remed8, Exalt, Pennamin High K, Krystal Klear, Kelp +, Krystal Klear Boron, LidoQuest, Prudent 44, Vibrant Red, Vibrant Green, Korban.

Who is your mentor and why?

My two greatest mentors are my father Lt. Col Philip Howard and Davis Sezna. My father provided me with valuable lessons on building character and leadership and love of family. Davis Sezna has always supported me while teaching me many life lessons, and expanding my vision and horizons and business mindset. I also give credit to the many colleagues I call friends that have shared their success and failures for my benefit. What advice would you give someone starting in the field?

Invest in yourself by working for industry leaders that will invest in building your experience and knowledge as well as in advancing your career. Bring a strong work ethic, passion, and positive attitude and always stay focused on improving your leadership and communication skills.

19th hole at Payne’s Valley Golf Course

Big Cedar Resort Fosters the Game of Golf and Sustainability

Big Cedar Golf, located in the heart of the Ozarks, is home to 5 world class public golf courses all of which are in the process of becoming certified in Audubon International’s elite Signature Sanctuary Certification track. Big Cedar Golf is most famously known for its golf courses and resort, but beyond just that, they are also committed to environmental sustainability and fostering the game of golf across all generations. Following this vision, and their goal of achieving Signature Sanctuary Certification, Big Cedar recently hosted an amazing event that brought them closer to becoming certified under AI’s outreach and education component. On April 28th the Big Cedar Golf team joined forces with Audubon International and GCSAA’s First Green Program to host a First Green field trip with a local school. The 8th grade students got a firsthand look at the ins-andout of maintaining a golf course and the science behind growing turf while maintaining biodiversity in surrounding areas. “We were thrilled to host the kids from School of Ozarks on our golf courses. At Big Cedar we go beyond what is necessary to make sure we are considerate of our environment with special tools and technology to track water usage, using organic fertilizers, and more. Our staff enjoyed getting the chance to teach the local students about our agronomy practices and our natural habit here in the Ozarks. Seeing the kids engage and interact with hands-on training and activities was the highlight for us. The kids had a lot of really good questions and were not afraid to get involved and get their hands dirty. Sustainability and conservation are so important to us as an organization and our founder, Johnny Morris, and getting kids involved with the outdoors and learning about the world around is the best way to make sure we promote nature and preservation to future generations.” – Matt McQueary, Assistant Director of Golf Sales & Marketing, Big Cedar GCSAA’s First Green program is a science, technology, engineering and math

Wildlife exhibit

(STEM) environmental outreach program that uses the golf course as a living laboratory. K-12 students participate in hands-on, outdoor learning stations that include lessons on wildlife habitat, soils science, environmental sustainability, mathematics, water conservation, career exploration and much more. “The First Green field trip held in April at Big Cedar hit on all aspects of this program. The golf course maintenance staff at Big Cedar are environmental stewards and ensure they are properly caring for the property that has been entrusted to them. They were able to highlight these efforts and engage in a fun, hands-on STEM field trip for the 8th Graders that attended the field trip. The students took part in learning stations on Soil Science, Wildlife Habitat and Cool Tools on the Green – an opportunity for the young people to use some of the technology on the golf course. The 8th graders took a golf course tour and observed first-hand the care and stewardship in play at Big Cedar.” – Leann Cooper, Senior Manager, GCSAA Chapter Services Students even enjoyed a live wildlife exhibit where they learned about native and invasive wildlife in the area, stood on the tee of the iconic 19th hole at Payne’s Valley and finished their day with a putting contest at Ozarks National. Audubon International’s outreach and education focal area is a component of all seven environmentally focused certification tracks offered for new and existing golf courses, communities, and resorts. Signature Sanctuary Certification is specifically designed for those undergoing renovation or development and includes a focus on sustainable design and management now and in the future. To learn more about Audubon International’s certifications for your golf course, community, or business; please visit https://auduboninternational.org/. Audubon International, an environmentally focused non-profit organization, offers members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we live, work, and play. Their certifications are designed to increase environmental awareness, encourage sustainable environmental efforts, and educate both their members and their communities.

Soil Science exhibit

www.TurfLife.club

Come see us at the PGA Show booth #3516

Kenny Perry and Trevor Immelman have made Transitions® lenses part of their game.

On the PGA TOUR®, vision is a golfer’s most important equipment. Transitions lenses adapt to changing light to help golfers see more comfortably in all light conditions and help protect eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

Visit your local Vision Source doctor, Dr. James Podschun, located at 2828 Casa Aloma Way, Suite 400 in Winter Park, FL 32792, to ask which Transitions lenses are right for you. 407-671-0960

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