PODCAST
10 Years of the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day
PODCAST: PLAY IN NEW WINDOW | DOWNLOAD
SUBSCRIBE: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY
Welcome to The Turf Zone Podcast. This episode features the article “Turfgrass Research, Partnership, and Progress: 10 Years of the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day”
Many of Virginia’s turfgrass industry professionals will gather at Independence Golf Club on Monday, May 18, 2026, to celebrate a major milestone: the 10th anniversary of the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day. The inaugural event was held on May 15, 2017 across the James at the Country Club of Virginia’s Tuckahoe Creek and James River courses, during establishment of the VT Turf Team’s partnership with leadership at Independence Golf Club. In fact, sprigs were spread on Independence Golf Club’s Bear Short Course that evening in what has turned into a decade-long partnership that has reshaped on-site research in Virginia. Hosted in Midlothian, VA, this year’s event is designed to bring together golf course superintendents, sports turf managers, lawn care specialists, sod producers, landscapers, vendors, and other green-industry professionals for a full day of learning, networking, and support for turfgrass research.
At its heart, the event showcases the strong partnership that has powered a decade of progress. For the past ten years, the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA) has been the driving force behind the Turfgrass Research Classic, providing leadership and support that have helped raise more than $500,000 for Virginia Tech turfgrass research through the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation (VTF). Beginning in 2026, VGCSA will continue this role as the Title Partner of the Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day, working in partnership with the VTF, Virginia Tech, and our allied associations to expand the event’s reach and impact across the broader turfgrass industry.
This anniversary year also marks an important evolution in how the event is organized. Beginning in 2026, the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation is taking the lead in coordinating both the Field Day and the Research Golf Tournament, in close collaboration with VGCSA, the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Team, and industry partners. Centralizing sponsorships through the Foundation streamlines the process for supporters, maximizes nonprofit benefits, and ensures that contributions are tax-deductible and directed to Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research. The result is a more efficient, aligned effort that benefits the entire turfgrass community and strengthens the future of research and education in Virginia.
The day will begin with the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Field Day from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., featuring a dynamic walking tour around the Independence Golf Club’s Bear Short Course. Multiple research stations will be set up across the property, where attendees can hear directly from leading researchers and industry experts. While this event is held on a golf course, most of the topics covered apply across a variety of turfgrass uses. These topics include updates on winterkill and spring recovery strategies, water-use efficiency, sensing tools and technology, targeted application strategies, turfgrass pathology and disease prevention, turfgrass weed management, and turfgrass entomology and pollinator protection. Breakfast and lunch, hosted by the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation, will give participants time to connect with colleagues and continue discussions beyond each station.
The afternoon will shift to the Turfgrass Research Classic golf tournament, with a shotgun start at 12:00 p.m. Participants will tee off alongside fellow professionals, sponsors, and researchers in a fun, friendly competition that directly supports turfgrass research and education. All proceeds benefit the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation and the Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Program, meaning every round played helps fuel the science that drives the profession forward. Whether attendees are competitive golfers or simply enjoy a day on the course, the tournament offers camaraderie, networking, and the satisfaction of investing in the industry’s future.
Vendors and sponsors will also play a central role in this year’s celebration. The 10th anniversary format offers expanded opportunities for engagement and visibility, including vendor tables, on-site demonstrations, high-visibility sponsorship packages, and broad promotional reach across the turfgrass industry. For the first time, all sponsorships and donations will flow through the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation, providing charitable tax deductions. These contributions help fund essential research, student scholarships, needed equipment, and educational programming that strengthen Virginia’s turfgrass sector and support the next generation of leaders.
As the event marks ten years of partnership, innovation, and shared commitment, organizers emphasize that this is more than just another field day or golf tournament. It is a celebration of the industry’s collective achievements and a strategic investment in the continued advancement of turfgrass science in Virginia.
Those interested in attending, sponsoring, or exhibiting are encouraged to register or secure their support by visiting
www.vaturfgrass.org or contacting Brandyn Baty, at brandyn@vaturfgrass.org or 757-585-3058 for details on registration, sponsorship packages, or vendor opportunities.
Presented by the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation in partnership with Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research, the VGCSA, and the VTC, the 2026 Virginia Tech Turfgrass Research Classic & Field Day promises to be a milestone event the entire turfgrass industry can rally behind.
You have been listening to The Turf Zone Podcast. Follow The Turf Zone on X, Facebook and LinkedIn for all things turfgrass, featuring podcasts, magazines, events and more. Visit www.theturfzone.com for more.
READ THE ISSUE