National Turfgrass Science Invitational
All photos courtesy of @GCSAA on X

Observations in Self-Efficacy from a Turfgrass Science Event

By Carson Letot, Ph.D.

The inaugural National Turfgrass Science Invitational (NTSI) was held February 3-5, 2025, during the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Conference and Trade Show in San Diego. This competitive event for high school agricultural education students emphasized skills in turfgrass science. During the event, competitors engaged in individual and team activities on topics such as turfgrass identification, playing surface set-up, equipment operation and best management practices. Practicums were held to test participants’ hands-on and observational skills.

The National Turfgrass Science Invitational was also the subject of a study to explore the capacity of a turfgrass science competition to influence change in sentiments toward turfgrass science instruction and recruitment into the turfgrass industry.

Objectives and methods

National Turfgrass Science Invitational
All photos courtesy of
@GCSAA on X

There are jobs available in the turfgrass sector, but supply is dwindling into a severe labor shortage (Hartsock, 2019; Woelfel, 2019; Letot et al., 2024). A decade ago, reports showed declining numbers in undergraduate turfgrass management programs (Richman, 2014; Bigelow, 2016a) and the trend is continuing. Recent work from Branham (2023) documented that enrollment in turf programs at US-based R-1 universities is down 74% since their peak in the late 1990s to early 2000s.

The study was conducted of nine FFA advisors and 46 students participating in National Turfgrass Science Invitational. Data collection occurred immediately after the competition in February of 2025 via an email with a link to the Google Form survey, and focused on three areas of interest:

  1. Evaluate sentiments from participating students and teachers towards a national turfgrass science invitational.
  2. Compare sentiments from participating students and teachers towards turfgrass science topics, skillsets, and careers from before and after the competition.
  3. Investigate sentiments towards career exploration based on Career Decision Self-Efficacy.

Statements and responses

Said one student, “Seeing how the competition was run this year, I’ll have a better understanding how things will work next year and I’ll be better prepared. Nonetheless, the competition was amazing and I had a great time.”

National Turfgrass Science Invitational

Added another student, “Now that this year was more of a learning experience on what turfgrass as a competition and career looks like, I plan to study a lot more for next year and want to succeed.”

According to one of the teachers, “Even though two of my four students had worked at golf courses prior to this contest, there were still some learning struggles along the way. After hearing how the contest was run and the expectations during the knowledge exam and contest, it will change how we prepare for this contest if we are able to go in 2026.”

Said another teacher, “I think getting teachers and turfgrass professionals in touch for teacher learning and preparation is essential – especially in states where there has not historically been a turfgrass competition or there is limited access to turf. As an advisor, it can be difficult to prepare students for something that we ourselves have little experience with.”

Yet another teacher commented: “All of the hands-on skills were great; being able to use industry people and be in an actual industry setting was incredible. Having the opportunity to go to the trade show and make the connections that they did was something that they really enjoyed and I feel will put them ahead in this career field. As an advisor, I was very happy with everything that my students did.”

The National Turfgrass Science Invitational is endorsed by FFA and open to FFA members. Teams are not currently required to qualify at the local or state level to participate in this invitational. The National Turfgrass Science Invitational will alternate between the conferences of GCSAA and the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA). The 2026 event will be held at the SFMA Conference and Exhibition in Fort Worth, Texas. For more information – including important dates, resources, and the invitational schedule – visit https://www.sportsfieldmanagement.org/2026-national-turfgrass-science-invitational/

Carson Letot, Ph.D., is event superintendent, turfgrass science, National Turfgrass Science Invitational.

National Turfgrass Science Invitational
National Turfgrass Science Invitational
NTSI winners
National Turfgrass Science Invitational

References

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