University Park, Pa. -- When viewers tuned in to watch the Masters on the weekend of April 10 -- whether to see how Tiger Woods played after his recent troubles, or just to watch the greatest golfers in the world perform on arguably the game's most prominent stage -- many no doubt marveled at the beauty of the Augusta National Golf Club.
Alumni from the Golf Course Turfgrass Management program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences play a big role in keeping these Georgia golf courses among the best in the world.
Among Penn State turf grads responsible for keeping Augusta National Golf Club gorgeous, challenging and second to none are:
William (Marsh) Benson, director of grounds; William (Brad) Owen, superintendent for the championship course; Joseph Duich, professor emeritus of turfgrass science, who developed several turfgrass varieties used on many of the world's top courses and who long has been a consultant to the club; and David Clark, a member of the grounds crew.
Penn State is known worldwide for its turfgrass science programs. In addition to managing golf turf, alumni care for sports fields for baseball, softball, football and soccer, including several National Football League and Major League Baseball venues.