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Welcome to The Turf Zone podcast. This episode spotlights New England Sports Field Management Association member Ryan Restivo – Parks Superintendent for the Town of New Canaan Parks Department in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Read from New England Blade magazine.

How did you get your start in the sports field industry?

I’ve always had a passion for sports, the outdoors, and hard work. During high school and the early part of my collegiate career, I worked at a renowned golf course in Darien, Connecticut—Weeburn Country Club. I later joined Superintendent Doug Drugo and his grounds crew, where I gained hands-on experience maintaining high-level playing surfaces. That opportunity, combined with my love for sports, ultimately kickstarted my path into the turfgrass and sports field industry.

Where did you go from there?

That passion led me to earn a degree in Plant Sciences with a concentration in Turfgrass Management, along with a minor in General Business, from the University of Rhode Island. Along the way, I had the opportunity to work with outstanding teams, including the Weeburn Country Club grounds crew, the Gillette Stadium field crew, and the USGA at both the 2019 U.S. Junior Amateur and the 2024 U.S. Senior Open Championships.

Those experiences helped shape my approach to turf management and Parks and Recreation operations. Today, I serve as the Superintendent for the Town of New Canaan Parks Department.

Who was your mentor when you were first starting out in the industry, and why?

Other than my family and the work ethic they instilled in me, one of my most influential mentors was—and still is—Joshua Bergeron. Josh, who is three years older than me, was a fellow URI Turfgrass Management student and followed a very similar career path in both golf course and sports field management.

After graduating, Josh found success on the Gillette Stadium Field Crew before moving on to a different career path. Along with Field Crew Superintendent Jon Bengtson, Josh gave me the opportunity to intern with the Gillette Stadium Field Crew. To my younger self, that opportunity felt like a dream come true; to my adult self, it reinforced the belief that with hard work and the right opportunities, anything is possible.

In addition to Josh, I’ve been fortunate to learn from all of my professors at URI, as well as the many golf course and sports field professionals who have guided me throughout my career.

What’s the best business advice you’ve ever received?

While it’s not strictly business advice, the best guidance I’ve ever received is a saying I try to live by: “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” — Mark Twain

What is the next “game-changer” you see on the horizon for the sports turf industry?

The next major game-changer in the sports turf industry is the continued advancement of automated and GPS-based technology. Innovations such as automated paint machines and GPS-guided sprayers promote greater precision, reduce misapplications, and allow operators to focus more on detail and quality in their day-to-day work. While skilled labor remains essential and in high demand, advanced technology enables sports turf managers to be more accurate and consistent with field layouts and applications. I’ve had first-hand experience using automated paint machines, and I’ve seen how they improve efficiency and consistency.

What’s your favorite / most useful:

Equipment?

Ventrac 4520 & various attachments

Product?

Seed

Technology?

Tiny Mobile Robot Paint Machine

What advice would you share with people starting out in sports field management today?

My advice is to always ask questions and say yes to opportunities—as long as they’re safe. Don’t be afraid to ask supervisors and peers for clarification and make it a priority to understand the why behind everything you do. Ask yourself questions like, “Why am I applying this product?” “What is its mode of action?” or “Why am I doing it this way—and is there a more efficient approach?”

Opportunities often come when you least expect them, and growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone. If you’re hesitant but know the opportunity is safe, go for it. I can promise you that you’ll gain something valuable from the experience.

Can you share a bit about your family life and / or what you enjoy doing in your free time?

Family is everything to me. I come from a big family and am the youngest of three, and growing up, our lives revolved around sports and work. Those experiences helped shape who I am today. I consider myself a pretty simple guy—I enjoy spending time with my fiancée, Elizabeth, and with our families and friends. I like staying active and competitive, even if it’s through what I jokingly call “old man sports” like golf, cornhole, and pickleball. I also enjoy work-related and at-home projects. I see them as challenges that keep me engaged, help me continue learning, and contribute to improvements I can apply both professionally and in my day-to-day life.

What have you enjoyed most / find most beneficial about being a New England Sports Field Management Association member?

The most beneficial aspect of being a New England Sports Field Management Association member is the networking opportunities it provides. For newer members—those with five years of experience or less—it opens the door to the knowledge and insight of seasoned industry veterans. We can all admit that we’ve made mistakes and learned through trial and error, and having access to experienced professionals allows us to ask questions, learn more efficient ways to perform tasks and make better-informed decisions.

That networking also encourages the exchange of ideas, exposure to new technologies, and honest discussions about what works—and what doesn’t. It’s an invaluable resource that helps professionals at every stage of their career continue to grow and adapt.

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