Reel Turf Techs Podcast

Hosted by Trent Manning

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Episodes

200

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Hey - I’m Trent, your host of the Reel Turf Techs podcast. Have you ever found yourself asking, “is there a podcast that focuses on the equipment manager’s unique roles and challenges?” Have you wondered what the high-end course or the tech down the road does at their facility? Would you like to hear the latest tips and tricks from around the globe? And do you want to know where the industry is headed next, direct from equipment manufacturers? Then my friend, you’re in the right place. As you know, working in the shop can feel like a solitary pursuit. This podcast will connect you with other techs facing similar challenges and offer solutions, ideas and innovations. Hear from turf technicians, equipment manufacturers, and other industry leaders on daily issues faced by the turf tech and fun stuff like fabrication projects, side hustles and favorite tools. Hit subscribe and let’s get reel. Join the conversation @reelturftechs on Twitter or email me at reelturftechs@gmail.com

Listen to episodes

60 recent

November 4, 2026Episode 17751 min

Episode 177: John Michael Clark, CTEM, Returns

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 177. Today we’re catching up with John Michael Clark, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. John Michael originally joined us from McLemore in North Georgia, and now he’s managing the equipment operation at a private 36-hole club with two championship courses, the North and South. He has two technicians in the shop and primarily runs Toro equipment. John Michael talks about what led him to make the move to South Florida and how his role has evolved at Frenchman’s Creek. With ongoing construction and a new maintenance facility taking shape, he’s been involved in planning the shop’s interior, including preparing for a potential transition to electric equipment and the charging infrastructure that would be required. The conversation also gets into the challenges of operating across two courses with different turf types, coordinating work around a shared maintenance compound, and keeping traffic and safety in mind as the operation grows. John Michael shares how his work has shifted from hands-on wrenching toward more planning, budgeting and coordination, along with some of the equipment setup experiments and tools he uses to manage grain and puffiness. They also discuss the role of robotics at Frenchman’s Creek, including Husqvarna autonomous mowers used during grow-in and for nighttime mowing, plus the potential for automated range pickers. As equipment technology continues to change, John Michael is thinking about how today’s decisions can set the shop up for what comes next. Finally, John Michael shares what he’s learned from the strong equipment manager network in South Florida and the value of mentorship and connecting with other techs. It’s a great conversation about adapting to a new operation, planning for the future and finding the balance between keeping equipment running today and building a shop that’s ready for tomorrow. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

October 21, 2026Episode 1761 hr 22 min

Episode 176: Austin Wright, CTEM Returns

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the Reel Turf Techs Podcast, Episode 176. Today we’re talking with Austin Wright, CTEM, Equipment Manager at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Austin originally joined us back on Episode 68 when he was at Sand Valley in Wisconsin. Now he’s at one of the country’s most recognizable championship venues, managing the equipment operation at Hazeltine. Hazeltine is an 18-hole championship course with a 10-hole short course, putting course and golf performance center. Austin has one assistant in the shop and primarily runs Toro equipment, with a long list of championship events on the horizon. After hosting the 2024 U.S. Amateur and the 2026 Women’s PGA, the operation is already looking ahead to the 2029 Ryder Cup. Austin talks about the level of precision required to keep equipment performing at championship standards and how Hazeltine uses data to help measure and maintain consistency. They get into clip volume, smoothness, firmness, speed and shear strength, along with Austin’s “Right Cut Rating” system, which uses a prism and macroscope to take a closer look at quality of cut. He also shares a great troubleshooting story involving clip volume and behind-center distance, plus some of the shop upgrades and long-term planning that go into preparing for major championships. The conversation also covers hiring and training a new assistant equipment manager, including Austin’s approach of combining field and shop experience with structured learning and training resources. It’s a great look at how an equipment manager adapts when the expectations, data and preparation all get turned up a notch. It’s another great conversation with Austin, this time from behind the scenes at one of the biggest championship operations in the game. Tweet us @ReelTurfTechs and @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

October 7, 2026Episode 17547 min

Episode 175: Joe Fleszewski

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

September 16, 2026Episode 17452 min

Bryan Epland, CTEM Returns

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

September 2, 2026Episode 17359 min

Episode 173: Ryan Bickham

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

August 19, 2026Episode 17257 min

Episode 172: Jeff Gustafson, CTEM

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

August 5, 2026Episode 17142 min

Episode 171: Ian Naus

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

July 15, 2026Episode 17048 min

Episode 170: Tyler Lewellyn

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

July 1, 2026Episode 16950 min

Episode 169: Emilio Mendez, CTEM

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel

June 17, 2026Episode 16840 min

Episode 168: Chris Brumley

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 @MTrentManning Email us at ReelTurfTechs@gmail.com Check out our YouTube Channel