The Ohio State University

This past week (October 24-27) the Ohio International Intern Program and the Ohio State University Turfgrass Program hosted Ms. Filipa Mateus de Almeida visiting turfgrass agronomist from Portugal.  Ms. Mateus de Almead presented a lecture entitled, The Turf Industry in Portugal to the OSU Turfgrass Management Club.  Besides meetings and discussions at OSU she was able to visit the OTF Research and Educational Facility where Matt Williams provided an overview of the studies being conducted.....

Mr. Jason Straka of Hurdzan/Fry Golf Design hosted Filipa at their where she gained insight into their design operations along with a tour of their office facilities.  Dr. Mike Hurdzan besides being a prominent golf course designer is one of the world’s leading golf collectors with a portion of the collection on display in the facility.  During her visit Filipa was able to visit and speak with Mr. Bob Becker, Mr. Paul Latshaw and Mr, Todd Voss golf course superintendents at Scioto Country Club, Muirfield Village Golf Club and Double Eagle Golf Club, respectively. 

For most of the week the weather was overcast.  Unfortunately on Saturday the weather turned for the worse.  Filipa experienced one of those downpours that Columbus is so famous for during the Ohio State/Illinois football game.  Brian Gimbel field manager for OSU athletics, and Pam Sherratt hosted Filipa on the sidelines for the game.  It was her first experience with “American Football”.   

We gained from her visit a better understanding of turfgrass issues facing Portugal and Europe and hopefully she gained an appreciation of the educational and research efforts being conducted her in the international arena.  Finally, what would a visit to OSU be without meeting one of our most famous alumni.  Filipa Mateus de Almeida at the GlobalTurf Network site  can be found at globalrelva.org

Photographs: Top (left to right): Brian Gimbel, Pam Sherratt, and Filipa Mateus de Almeida; Center (left to right): Mike O'Keeffe, OSU and Bob Becker, Scioto CC., Bottom: (left to right): Filipa Mateus de Almeida and Jack Nicklaus.