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Olds College captures two top 10 spots at GIS’ 27th Turf Bowl competition

Two teams of turfgrass students from Olds College in Alberta finished among the top 10 at the 27th annual Collegiate Turf Bowl competition, held virtually this year during the Golf Industry Show.

The event is sponsored by John Deere and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. A total of 26 teams from 14 different universities and colleges across North America competed in the event which included an online exam and judged case study components.

Purdue University claimed top spot and was awarded a $4,000 prize and an opportunity to volunteer at a PGA Tour event in 2021. The teams from Olds College captured third and seventh places.

For this year’s competition, teams were required to complete a timed online exam and submit a case study based on a provided prompt, highlighting a real-life challenge. The competition components judged teams on their overall industry knowledge and problem-solving skills in high-pressure situations, demonstrating what superintendents can face daily. In addition to the first-place prize, John Deere awarded a total of $10,000 in cash and prizes to the top teams.

“Each year, we look forward to the Turf Bowl and seeing the passion these students have for the industry,” Manny Gan, global director of golf, John Deere, said. “While we are sad that we could not be together in person this year, we are thankful that we can continue the tradition of the Turf Bowl for the 27^th year. These students are the future of our industry, and we are committed to supporting them as they continue to grow as golf and turf professionals. The team from Purdue University showcased the determination and knowledge needed to succeed within the golf industry. We congratulate them on their remarkable achievement and are excited to watch them grow as professionals.”