Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science
Any investment in quality continuing education opportunities benefits employees and employers alike. The Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science courses are designed to help meet the continuing education needs of any individual or organization. This program will have training sessions accessible live online on Wednesday evenings and the option to view the recorded sessions. The certificate program aims to provide participants with thorough and practical continuing education in turfgrass management. The course is directed by university educators and turfgrass scientists from several Land-Grant Universities as well as practitioners from the golf course and lawn care industries.
Turfgrasses are a resource in our urban community environments and best management practices are aligned with environmental, economic & societal priorities. The Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science provides participants with the science-based principles needed to effectively manage turf for recreation, sport, aesthetics and environmental protection. This program is recommended for:
Practitioners that establish and maintain turfgrass for athletic fields, consumer/commercial lawns, golf courses, recreation/parks, and sod production
Technical representatives from industry (suppliers of equipment, plant protectants, fertilizer, etc.)
Those new to the industry – wanting to get trained and off to a great start
Those with experience in the industry – to review/update their knowledge and practices
Students will have access to the course and materials at their convenience during the period via a class management system. The fee for the course is $600, which includes supplemental materials and a certificate after successful completion of the program.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science.
For more detailed information on the content, schedule and instructors you can check out the 2025 Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science Syllabus for either the Cool-Season Golf Edition or the Cool-Season Lawns/Grounds/Sports Edition.
Available Courses
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Cool-Season Golf
The golf edition of the Great Lakes Turf School covers the principles of turfgrass science with a golf-turf focus, ranging from turf selection to soil fertility and pest management. Instructors include professors from land-grant universities as well as experienced golf course superintendents who have managed daily operations to the highest levels of tournament play.
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Cool-Season Lawns/Grounds/Sports
The lawns & grounds edition of the Great Lakes Turf School covers the principles of turfgrass science geared towards lawn care operators, grounds and parks managers, sports field managers, and anyone interested in maintaining turf in a professional, non-golf setting. Instructors include professors from land-grant universities as well as practitioners with experience in a variety of for-profit turf maintenance.
Meet the Instructors
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Dr. David Gardner
Session 1: Turfgrass Identification, Physiology & Growth
Session 4: Abiotic Stresses
Session 8: Weed Management
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Dr. Jon Trappe
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Matt Cavanaugh
Session 3: Selection and Establishment
Session 12: Calibration and Mathematics
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Sam Bauer
NCTGA Executive Director, BauerTurf Owner, MTGF President, North Central Sod Owner, Ramy Turf Products Sales
Session 4: Abiotic Stresses
Session 6: Irrigation
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Dr. Chris Williamson
Session 10: Insect Management
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Dr. Ed Nangle
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Dr. Gerald (Lee) Miller
Session 9: Disease Management
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Dr. Brian Horgan
Moderator
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