Jake Allison, who died unexpectedly in March, was serving his first term on the VSGA ' s Board of Directors. He was a longtime member at Roanoke Country Club and played a key operational role at the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame.

golf courses increase their knowledge of turfgrass ecology and management. Dr. Goatley, Dr. Sandor, and the entire VT Turfgrass Team offer a wealth of knowledge and experience, and the feedback from participants in the program has been incredibly positive,” says VSGA Executive Director, Matt Smiley.

The VSGA and VT-STEM plan to continue their partnership into the 2025-26 season.

“ This program was one that I had been hopeful would come to fruition for years,” says Mark Cote, VSGA board member and former superintendent at Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech.“ The need for labor on golf courses has been an issue for a long time. This program is one that takes the labor you do have and provides them with the basic science behind turfgrass management. This provides superintendents and their courses with someone who can make decisions based on that newfound knowledge and who hopefully will become a better, more efficient, and knowledgeable employee. Is there a downside to this? I can’ t see it.”

cational needs of those without formal training in turfgrass science, but are either employed in or have interest in working in the turfgrass industry.

This was the fifth year that the program was held, but the first year that the VSGA grant allowed free access to staff members at VSGA member clubs. The course ran

from November 1, 2024 through January 10, 2025.

“ Turf management is a fundamental part of the golf industry and impacts the golfer experience daily. When we learned of the VT-STEM program, we felt it was a great way for the VSGA to serve golf in Virginia by helping employees of

REMEMBERING JAKE ALLISON The VSGA joins the Virginia golf community in mourning Clyde Henry“ Jake” Allison Jr., who died unexpectedly at age 61 on March 24. Allison was elected to the VSGA Board of Directors in January and was serving his first term as a board member. Allison had a celebrated golf career in southwest Virginia. As captain of the Virginia Tech team in 1985, Allison was medalist at the VSGA Intercollegiate and became the Hokies’ first golf academic All-American. He teamed with Mark Teachey in 1995 to win the VSGA Four-Ball Championship. Allison was a longtime member at Roanoke Country Club, and upon his retirement in 2022, devoted much of his time to the game, including playing a big part in the operations of the Roanoke Valley Golf Hall of Fame.

LOGAN WHITTON

8 V IRGINIA G OLFER | M AY / J UNE 2025

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