Advertise on podcast: Reel Turf Techs Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 175. Today we’re talking with Joe Fleszewski, Equipment Manager at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona, the spring training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Joe is the lone technician in the shop, running a fleet that is primarily Toro and Kubota and keeping equipment ready for 13 baseball fields. Joe shares his path from a blue-collar, hands-on upbringing in Illinois and landscaping work into equipment management. He learned reel grinding on the job and eventually took on the full shop workload when the outside contractor who had been handling the equipment left, giving him the opportunity to grow into the role. The conversation gets into the unique demands of maintaining equipment for a spring training facility, including year-round use, heavy sand applications and bringing fraise mowing in-house. Joe also talks about some of the challenges that come with being a one-person shop, from operator errors to the increasing amount of electronics and proprietary software built into modern equipment. Joe walks through some of his favorite tools, the mentors who have helped him along the way and the value of continuing his education through GCSAA. He also shares practical shop tips, including ways to extend bedknife life and protect Toro InfoCenters. And as the workload continues to grow, Joe is realizing an important lesson that a lot of equipment managers can relate to: sometimes doing a great job also means recognizing when you can’t do it all alone. It’s a great conversation about finding your way into equipment management, learning on the job and keeping a busy baseball operation moving when you’re the person in the shop everyone depends on. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 174. Today we’re talking with Bryan Epland, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Luling Sport in Luling, Texas. Bryan originally joined us back while he was at Arbor Links in Nebraska. Now he’s taken on a much bigger operation at Luling Sport, a new private 36-hole club set on an 1,100-acre ranch. Bryan leads a shop team of three assistants and a fleet manager while keeping a large and growing fleet moving. Bryan shares his path from the Army and automotive work into the turf industry after an unexpected conversation at a local barbecue restaurant. He also talks about making the decision to leave Arbor Links after nearly 10 years and take on the challenge of helping build something new from the ground up. They catch up on what it's like working in a fast-moving new-build environment, managing a larger team with different personalities, and finding technicians in a small oilfield town. Bryan talks about the long mowing routes and travel demands that come with an 1,100-acre property, the challenges of different soil types, and the differences he's found between equipment brands. The conversation also gets into Luling Sport’s plans for a new climate-controlled maintenance facility, along with reel and bedknife setup, maintaining consistent cut quality, and working with Zoysia greens in a year-round growing environment. And because this is a catch-up with a returning guest, Bryan reflects on what's changed since in the past four years, what he's learned along the way, and the importance of communicating with your team, especially when the day isn't going according to plan. It’s a great look at what happens when an equipment manager leaves an established operation and takes on the challenge of building something from the ground up. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 173. Today we’re talking with Ryan Bickham, Equipment Manager at Loraloma. Loraloma is a private 18-hole course, and Ryan runs the shop with one other technician, supporting a fleet that’s primarily Toro equipment. Ryan shares his unconventional path into the turf industry, starting with heavy diesel work before making the move to golf course maintenance. From there, he worked his way through grounds crew and mechanic roles before landing at a nine-hole municipal course where he wore every hat, including superintendent and GM. That experience gave him a little bit of everything before making the jump to his current role at Loraloma, a high-budget operation with new equipment and an in-house grinder. They talk about what Ryan enjoys about the job, favorite tools, finding balance outside the shop, unusual things he's encountered on the course, mentors who have influenced his career, and the opportunity to volunteer at tournaments. The conversation also gets into reel performance on Zoysia and Ryan’s approach to getting the most out of a reel. It’s a great conversation about building a career by wearing a lot of hats, learning every side of the operation, and growing from a nine-hole municipal course to a completely different level of equipment management. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re talking with Jeff Gustafson, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield, Michigan. Oakland Hills is a private 36-hole facility with a rich history in golf, including courses designed by Donald Ross. Jeff leads a three-person shop supporting a fleet that is primarily John Deere equipment. Jeff shares how growing up around a small golf course in Bemus Point, New York, eventually led him into the turf equipment world. After a short stint at the Golf Academy of the South in Florida, a mechanic pointed him toward the trade and the long-term job security that comes with it. Jeff learned the ropes, including reel grinding and preventive maintenance, and eventually found himself managing large equipment fleets. He talks about some of the twists and turns in his career, including moving from Colorado to be closer to family and adapting from Toro to primarily John Deere equipment. He also shares a pretty unforgettable story from his time in St. Thomas involving a golf cart and a cliff. The conversation covers favorite tools like an ultrasonic cleaner and infrared thermometer, lessons from mentors Mark Swoop and Frank Pittman, and the importance of communicating with the crew and treating people with respect. Jeff also talks about using ChatGPT and oil analysis to help solve problems and improve maintenance practices. They wrap up with Jeff’s thoughts on autonomous equipment, including the potential for rough and range-tee mowing to improve consistency while helping address the ongoing challenge of finding enough people to do the work. It’s a great conversation about career paths, adapting to change, learning from the people around you, and finding new ways to make the job better. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 171. Today we’re talking with Ian Naus, Equipment Manager at Medina Country Club in Medina, Minnesota. Ian is the lone technician at this private club, where he keeps the operation running while balancing the demands of a busy golf season. Ian shares how he found his way into the turf industry almost by accident. After starting on the agronomy side, an unexpected opportunity in the shop led him down a new career path. He talks openly about overcoming imposter syndrome during that transition and the confidence he's gained through experience, mentorship, and continuing education. They discuss favorite tools, why investing in quality tools pays off, and the importance of slowing down to find the root cause of a problem instead of chasing symptoms. Ian also shares his philosophy of doing the job right the first time, along with the value of thorough inspections that help prevent bigger issues down the road. The conversation also covers preparing for the Equipment Management Certificate Program, winning the Melrose Equipment Manager Experience that’s sending him to the GCSAA Conference in New Orleans, and the mentors who helped shape his career, including previous guest Tyler Lewellen. Ian reflects on the strength of Minnesota's equipment manager community and why networking with fellow technicians has been such a valuable part of his growth. It's a great conversation about finding your place in the industry, trusting the process, and continuing to learn every day. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 170. Today we’re talking with Tyler Lewell, Equipment Manager at Spring Hill Golf Club in Wayzata, Minnesota. Spring Hill is a private 18-hole club set on 220 acres, and Tyler oversees a mixed fleet that's primarily Toro equipment with a two-person shop. Tyler shares how a college motorsports program led him into the turf industry. After growing up turning wrenches, he found a career that combined his mechanical background with the satisfaction of seeing the finished product on the golf course, even if he doesn't play golf himself. They talk about the realities of the job, from early mornings and time management to balancing life outside the shop with a busy family and three kids at home. Tyler also reflects on his time with Turf Works/Jacobsen in Omaha, including the unique challenge of helping recover equipment after catastrophic flooding. The conversation covers favorite tools, training assistants, and the mentors who shaped Tyler's career. Tyler also shares one of his biggest shop tips: creating detailed winter rebuild checklists so nothing gets overlooked before the season starts. They wrap up by discussing Tyler's passion for strengthening the equipment manager community through the Minnesota GCSA, organizing events, sharing tech tips, and introducing young people to the profession through First Green. It's a great conversation about preparation, mentorship, and giving back to the industry that's given him so much Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 169. Today we’re talking with Emilio Mendez, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nevada. Nestled along the shores of Lake Tahoe, Edgewood is one of the most recognizable golf destinations in the country, and Emilio helps keep the operation running with a small shop team consisting of himself and one assistant. Emilio shares his journey into the industry, from operating tractors as a kid in Mexico to starting as a seasonal crew member and working his way through the shop to become Equipment Manager. He talks about the challenges of stepping into a leadership role at a young age, earning the trust of longtime employees, and finding confidence in his decisions. The conversation covers favorite tools, height-of-cut setup practices, and shop systems that help create consistency. Emilio also shares his "1% rule" for inventory and organization, focusing on making small improvements every day rather than trying to tackle everything at once. They discuss unusual moments from the golf course, mentors who helped shape his career, and the realities of managing parts orders and purchase orders, which Emilio admits are among his least favorite parts of the job. Away from the shop, he enjoys cooking, especially making tacos for family and friends. The episode also dives into Emilio’s passion for education and helping others in the industry. He talks about earning his CTEM designation, the value of CTEM, translating GCSAA study materials into Spanish, creating Spanish language content for the Learning Hub, and his goal of one day teaching a Spanish-language EMCP prep class. It’s a great conversation about perseverance, continuous learning, and finding your path to leadership.  Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 168. Today we’re talking with Chris Brumley, Equipment Manager at Colonie Golf & Country Club in Voorheesville, New York. Colonie is a private 18-hole facility with golf, tennis, and pool amenities, and Chris is the lone technician responsible for keeping a fleet of equipment from all the major manufacturers up and running. Chris shares how growing up around the golf course shaped his career path. His dad spent years as the superintendent at Colonie, so the course was always a familiar place. What started as helping out eventually turned into an opportunity when the club’s longtime mechanic faced health issues, pushing Chris into the equipment management role full time. They talk about the realities of running a one-man shop, from the never-ending task of greasing equipment to dealing with machines that don’t always come back as clean as they left. Chris also shares some of his favorite tools, including a cordless Milwaukee rotary tool and low-profile bit sets that have saved the day more than once. The conversation covers learning from mentors, group chats, YouTube fun, and fellow technicians, along with bigger projects like rebuilding a ProGator diesel engine and transmission. Chris also discusses making custom tools for the shop and finding small efficiency gains, such as swapping grease fittings to 90-degree angles to make maintenance quicker and easier. It’s a great conversation about growing up in the industry, learning by doing, and finding practical solutions when you’re the only person in the shop. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 166. Today we’re talking with Dan Haxton, Equipment Manager at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. Congressional is a private 36-hole facility with a deep history in tournament golf, and Dan leads a three-person shop supporting a fleet that’s primarily John Deere equipment. Dan shares how he got his start in the industry at just 14 years old filling divots at Queenstown Harbor before moving from the crew side into the shop. After stepping into an assistant mechanic role, he became a head mechanic only eight months later and spent 12 years at South River before stops at Woodmont and eventually Congressional. They talk about the realities of managing people — the most rewarding and most stressful part of the job — along with favorite tools like calipers, preset torque wrenches, and a milling machine that’s become invaluable for rotary blade work and repairs. Dan also discusses how forums, YouTube, and networking with other techs continue to help him learn and problem solve. The conversation gets into designing Congressional’s new two-story maintenance facility, standardizing reel data and height-of-cut communication across the operation, and the club’s growing use of robotics and automation, including Kress and Husqvarna mowers along with a Relox ball picker. It’s a great conversation about growth in the industry, building systems that make life easier, and balancing tradition with new technology at one of the game’s iconic clubs. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re talking with Marko Bistroi, Equipment Manager at Mississaugua Golf & Country Club in Ontario, Canada (not Ontario, California). Mississauga is a private 18-hole club, and Marko is running a true one-man shop out of a small space tucked under the clubhouse. His fleet is a mix of Toro, John Deere, Tru-Turf rollers, and a handful of other pieces that keep him on his toes. Marko shares how he made the jump from automotive into turf after coming across a job posting, starting in a hybrid grounds and shop role before stepping into the head position. We get into the realities of being a solo tech — keeping up with the daily grind like greasing, prioritizing what matters most, and managing stress when everything falls on you. He also talks about navigating the “young guy” dynamic with staff, and the impact of mentorship along the way, especially lessons from Jerry around organization, problem solving, and having a fix-before-replace mindset. There are some great practical tips in here too, from using muffin trays to keep hardware sorted to reel setup and pulling broken bolts. They also touch on tournament prep, volunteering opportunities, and a few safety stories from the course. It’s a real look at running a one-man shop, figuring things out as you go, and building confidence along the way. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Today we’re heading across the pond to talk with Chris “Minty” Minton, Head Mechanic and Workshop Manager at Leicester City Football Club in Leicester, England. Minty oversees an elite training facility with 24 football pitches, a nine-hole golf course, and more than 460 pieces of equipment across three sites, all with a team of four and a lot of John Deere green. From growing up fixing engines with his dad to designing his own dream workshop, Minty shares how his career evolved from a small lawnmower repair shop to one of the most advanced sports turf operations in the UK. We talk shop design, apprenticeships, the Sports Turf Academy, and his go-to Milwaukee tools. Plus, we hear about his grandson George, his trusty cockapoo sidekick, and the strong network of technicians driving innovation in UK turf. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 164. Today we’re talking with Jason Sergeant, Equipment Manager at Abenaqui Country Club in Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Abenaqui is a private 18-hole course, and Jason runs a primarily Toro fleet with a small crew — four helpers in the winter and one part-time in season. Jason shares how he made his way into the turf industry, starting with shop programs, metallurgy, and automotive/heavy equipment work at a ski resort before an opportunity opened up at his summer job on the golf course side.  They talk about the day-to-day realities of the shop, including Jason’s dislike of paperwork and how he’s leaned into tools like ASB taskTracker, barcode scanning, and QR codes to make work orders more efficient. He also shares some favorite tools, including a multimeter and an induction heat gun that’s a game changer for rusted fasteners. The conversation gets into bigger challenges too, like sourcing obsolete parts and getting creative — including rebuilding a Vanguard engine using aftermarket and cross-referenced components. They also cover mentoring, training opportunities through distributors and Foley, and the value of networking through GCSAA. Jason talks about staying calm under pressure, the importance of operator training, and his approach to preventative maintenance like annual reel bearing overhauls. He also shares where he’s headed next with his CTEM journey and his interest in volunteering at a PGA event. It’s a practical, honest look at running a small shop, solving problems on the fly, and continuing to grow in the industry. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 163. Today we’re talking with TJ Vollmar, Equipment Manager at Desert Mountain Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Desert Mountain is a massive private facility with 126 holes of golf spread across 8,500 acres. TJ oversees an operation that includes 13 technicians working out of five shops, with room to grow to 15, supporting a fleet that’s primarily John Deere equipment. TJ shares how he found his way into the turf industry after starting out in automotive work in southwest Florida. A connection through his superintendent father-in-law helped open the door to the golf side, and from there he built a career that eventually led him to one of the largest club operations in the country. They talk about why it’s important for technicians to spend time actually operating the equipment they work on, how that experience changes the way you diagnose and maintain machines, and the importance of communicating confidently as the technical expert. TJ also discusses the realities of managing people across multiple shops, building trust with your team, and continuing to grow as a leader. The conversation touches on finding balance outside the shop through family time and exploring Arizona, the mentors who shaped TJ’s career, and the value of networking and visiting other facilities to see how different operations run. TJ also shares a practical troubleshooting tip involving Toro Cool Tops and no-crank issues caused by corroded power connections. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about career growth, taking chances on new opportunities, and continuing to push yourself through certifications, education, and learning from others in the industry. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 162, Trent sits down with Kurt Horn, Equipment Manager at Fall Line in Butler, Georgia. Fall Line is a private club with 45 holes of golf along with hunting, fishing, and sporting clays, and Kurt is right in the middle of supporting a growing operation that runs primarily Toro equipment. Kurt shares how he got his start as a teenager at Kelly Plantation in Destin, Florida, then moved into field service before becoming service manager at Jerry Pate. Those dealership years gave him a broad foundation, but he ultimately found his way back to the course side in what he calls his dream job. They talk about what it looks like to truly work as a team with superintendents, the realities of sand and topdressing, favorite cordless tools, and the satisfaction of an organized tool room. Kurt also opens up about the challenge of communicating with a primarily Spanish-speaking workforce and why being approachable matters just as much as technical skill. He shares a simple reel maintenance tip — keeping bedbar bolts in the same holes — and they dig into the bigger industry conversation around attracting and developing the next generation of technicians.  Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManningEmail us at [email protected] out our YouTube Channel