Against the Grain

Hello, turfies!!! 

I feel as though it has been so long since I was “active,” so here I am! This academic year marks my first official start as a full-time turf student at Michigan State. After a couple of years at a liberal arts school, I can easily say I appreciate my coursework at turf school. I also really enjoyed being surrounded by my people aka turfies! Interacting with fellow industry members on a daily (in-person) has been very refreshing!! I am also able to access some of the greatest researchers. I got to work in various labs and learn new things I’d never thought of. Previously I worked in legume genetics and this semester in soil physics. Unfortunately, my health took a triple bogey with a penalty drop. 

I went 3 years without getting COVID-19, and of course, I got it during my first semester at state. During the crop science conference in St. Louis, it all hit.

Turf Tour in St. Louis at the Crop Science Conference.

Since then I’ve taken who knows how many trips to doctors, blood tests, urgent care, and hospitalizations. With an undiagnosed chronic illness, I lost a lot of my “spunk.” I haven’t been cleared to drive in a while and it doesn’t look like that will change soon. The Friday before GCSAA I had a minor cancer scare and had to stay back for the follow-up appointment. Thank goodness it was not cancer! (Don’t worry Turf Bowl, I’m coming for you in 2025!) Then after the first hospitalization, I had to postpone my original internship plans. (This is after already canceling my study abroad in Brazil.) This semester was filled with one setback after another.

St. Louis (again) - A great tour with great people!

Changing plans is not easy when you have a thirty-year plan. Thankfully I have an assistantship in turf for the summer at Michigan State. I greatly appreciate this opportunity and cannot wait for it to start next week! Now my worries consist of the tan line caused by my medical alert bracelet (this will make a great addition to the sock line and v from my golf polos haha.) Even though I felt like I was climbing up a mountain with boulders falling toward me this year, I learned some key things I think are worth sharing. 

• Life is short! Do the things you want, while you can!

Looking back at the things I’ve done, I see how grateful I am to have such an amazing career! Even if the future is uncertain I know I’ll always have 5 tournaments (including 2 USWOs,) working on a turf pathology internship, presenting at crop science and “ladies leading turf”, a grounds internship, Turf Twitter, Women in Turfgrass Management, various other field days and conferences, etc. My point is that if I have to slow down at least I have wonderful memories, peers, and mentors to be grateful for! 

Traverse City Golf and Country Club will ALWAYS hold a special place in my heart!

• TURFIES CARE! 

We hear and see time and time again about how kind our industry members are, but it’s true! Talking to my professors and mentors about my health was quite a relief. Once again, nothing but kindness and support! If you are comfortable with sharing something with your mentor/professor/peer they can be someone to listen, offer advice/help, or even relate. In other words, turfies support turfies!!!

• Plans change, YOU DON’T

While in a time of self-loathing, I finally realized that this is just a bump in the road. Your career and education is a journey! One stop on the road trip is not going to change the final destination. Having setbacks and changes in plans will not change my plans for graduate school. Not going to GCSAA this year did not make me less of an industry professional. Not volunteering in 2024 does not mean I am not willing to give back. Not being on Turf Twitter as much does not mean I am not a social butterfly. Life changes, plans change, but at the end of the day I still have the same aspirations and love for this industry. 

With the “Michigan road trip” I had this year, I still have a wonderful field season to look forward to! (If you’ve ever driven in Michigan you’d know how driving over potholes makes you shout “Jeez Louise” followed by an apology to your car.)

I might not fully know what is going on with my health, but I will always know that I love turf and turfies! 

(I especially love turf when it looks like this!!!!)

Here’s to the great season ahead!