May 2011 Archives

On May 14, 2011, nineteen students graduated from Penn State University with a B.S. in Turfgrass Science.


The students heard from honored faculty, administrators, and guests including, President Spanier, Dean McPheron, Secretary Hayes (former Secretary of Agriculture for PA and current Penn State Board of Trustees), and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education.

Following is a partial list of graduates, their place of employment and the location of their internship.

Andrew Buczkowski

Accepted a position with the Pittsburgh Field Club in Blawnox, PA. He completed his official internship at Penn State's Golf Courses.

Brandon Cable

Accepted a position with Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, PA. He completed his official internship at Sewickley Heights as well.

David Dierlolf

Accepted a position at Golden Oaks Golf Club in Fleetwood PA
He completed his internship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem PA.

Jeff Fortuna

Accepted a position with The Brickman Group in Harrisburg, Pa.  He interned with Brickman in Pittsburgh, Pa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa.

Patrick Haughey

Accepted a position as Assistant Superintendent at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore PA. His official internship took place in Darien, CT at a country club called Woodway.

Chris Hoover

Accepted a position as Assistant in Training with Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, PA. He did his official internship at Nemacolin Woodlands on the Mystic Rock course located in Farmington, Pa.

Brian Minto

Will be working at the Leewood Country Club in Eastchester, NY as a second assistant. He completed his official internship at the Riverton Country Club in Riverton, Wyoming.

 

Justin Morey

Will be working as the second assistant superintendent at Brae Burn Country Club. Address: Purchase, New York. Last summer Justin interned at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, NJ.

Matt Petro

Accepted a position at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club in Far Hills, NJ as a 2nd Assistant Superintendent. Matt completed his internship at the same course.

Derek Pruyne

Accepted a position as assistant superintendent at Hornell Golf Club in Hornell, NY. Derek did his internship last summer with the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Bare Yankees-235 in Moosic, PA.

 

Kevin Skarbek

Accepted a position with Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA. Kevin has been working at Oakmont for the last 3 summers.

 

Tim Sickler

Accepted a position at Stone Hedge Golf Course in Factoryville, PA Mr. Sickler did his internship at the Stone Hedge Golf Course.

Alexander Stienman

Alex accepted a position with the University of Maryland's Athletic Department and will be maintaining athletic fields for the Maryland Terps. Alex also did his official internship at the University of Maryland.

 

David Stofanak

Will be working at the Hollywood Golf Club in Deal, NJ. Mr. Stofanak completed his internship at Saucon Valley Country Club in Bethlehem, PA

Daniel Vater

Mr. Vater will be working as a 2nd Assistant at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls, WI. Dan has completed internship at The Shenendoah Course at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in Verona, NY. 

Jeremy Walker

Accepted a position at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, PA the same location where he did his official internship last summer.

 

Joshua Yuhouse

Will be working in Norwalk Connecticut at the Shorehaven Golf Club. Last summer he completed his internship in Frederick Maryland for the Baltimore Orioles single A organization the Frederick Keys located in Frederick, MD.

 

The students and their families enjoyed a brunch with faculty after the graduation ceremony.

Just prior to graduation the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council granted three scholarships to outstanding seniors graduating in Turfgrass Science from Penn State. Each scholarship recipient was awarded a $2,000 check at a luncheon in their honor at the Nittany Lion Inn. Ms. Kim Pagett, executive director of the PTC was on hand to present the awards.

 

Awards winner's this year include:

 

Mr. Alexander Steinman was awarded the PTC Dr. Paul Heller Scholarship named after Dr. Paul Heller a long time Professor of Turfgrass Entomology at Penn State.

Mr. Steinman is a native of Danville, PA and did his internship with the University of Maryland Athletic Department. Alex also worked for a number of years on the Beaver Stadium Grounds Crew here at Penn State and on a number of golf courses in Pennsylvania. Alex graduated with distinction and had the highest GPA among graduating Turfgrass Science Majors. He was the Standard Bearer for graduation proceedings last week. Alex has accepted a position with the University of Maryland's Athletic Department and will be maintaining athletic fields for the Maryland Terps.

 

Receiving the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council's Outstanding Student in Turfgrass was Mr. Daniel Vater. Dan's hometown is Greenbush, WI. Dan has completed internships at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in 2008, The Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 and The Shenendoah Course at Turning Stone Resort and Casino in 2010. Mr. Vater will be working as a 2nd Assistant at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms in Sheboygan Falls, WI. 

 

Also receiving the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council's Outstanding Student in Turfgrass was Mr. David Stofanak. Dave is a native of is Bethlehem PA and completed his internship at Saucon Valley CC in Bethlehem during the renovation of the Weyhill course. Dave has accepted a position at The Hollywood Golf Club in Deal NJ.

 

Join the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council in congratulating these students! The Penn State Turf Project would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports the PTC for their continued efforts!