News from UT

Welcome Bill Czekai !

The UT Turfgrass Research team welcomes Bill Czekai as the new manager of turfgrass research plots. As a former golf course superintendent and general manager of more than 30 years, Bill brings a wealth of operational and agronomic expertise to this position. Bill is a graduate of the Penn State Turfgrass Program and spent half of his career in Pennsylvania and the other half out west, including a number of years at Desert Mountain Golf Club in Arizona.

Earlier in 2021, Bill and his wife chose the Knoxville area as their new home, and after interviewing with the UT research staff, he knew this position was a great fit. “The research team at UT is really first class,” Bill says. “Being out west, I wasn’t as familiar with this group, but seeing the work Dr. Brosnan, Dr. Horvath, and Dr. Sorochan and the others are doing here, it’s something I’m proud to be part of.”

While the manager of turfgrass research plots position is new, the tasks included are not new to Bill. “My role is to support the researchers. By organizing the facility, including servicing equipment, organizing chemicals, and anticipating daily tasks, I can allow the researchers to focus on what’s important. My main purpose is to take some of those operational duties off their plates.”

Dr. Brosnan says, “Bill’s impact on the program has been immense and he’s only been with us a few months! Under Bill’s leadership, the standard of maintenance for our research plots is higher than it’s been at any point during my career. I’m excited to see where he can take things in 2022 and beyond.”

TTA and UT welcome Bill to the Tennessee Turfgrass community!