Ontario Turfgrass Symposium

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Dr. Bruce B. Clarke is a Professor Emeritus at Rutgers University. He earned his bachelors and Ph.D. from Rutgers University. Clarke’s research focused on foliar and root-infecting diseases of cool-season turfgrass. He has taught identification and control of foliar and root-infecting diseases of cool-season turfgrass in many countries around the world. 

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Dr. Travis Shaddox is a soil scientist specializing in soil fertility and turfgrass nutrition. He is widely recognized for his work translating scientific research into practical, evidence-based recommendations for turfgrass professionals. He also produces Turfgrass Epistemology, an educational YouTube channel dedicated to improving industry decision-making through science, critical thinking, and clear communication. 

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Rob Heggie is the Director of Grounds at BMO Field in Toronto and the owner of Grass Roots Consulting Canada. In the past 16 years with MLSE, he has built up the field from a modest pitch to one of the most technologically advanced pieces of sports turfgrass in the world. His accomplishments include 2015 Sports Turf Canada Manager of the Year, 2020 Turf and Rec 10 under 40, 2015 PanAm games, 2016 and 2017 MLS Cup host, 2017 NHL Centennial Classic, 2016 Grey Cup, 2015 and 2017 Gold Cup 2023, and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.

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Dr. Daniel O’Brien is the Green Section Research Manager for the United States Golf Association (USGA). He earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. Prior to joining the USGA Daniel worked as a sports field manager in Maryland and Alabama. His graduate research focused largely on technologies for evaluating putting green surfaces, and on turfgrass soil surfactants and his recent work has been on the 15/30/45 Initiative which aims to help golf courses reduce their water usage by up to 45 percent.

Dr. Katerina Jordan is an experienced plant researcher in turfgrass science and the director of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute (GTI) at the University of Guelph. Katerina is an associate professor in the Department of Plant Agriculture, where she has been conducting turfgrass research since 2005. She has taught courses in turfgrass insects, biological control of plant diseases, research methods and statistics, plant disease epidemiology, and integrated pest management to certificate, diploma, undergraduate, and graduate students. Her primary service to the turfgrass industry is managing the GTI Diagnostic Clinic.

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Jeff McMann has been in the green industry for over 45 years.  He is a graduate of the Niagara Parks School of Horticulture as well as an ISA and TRAQ certified Arborist. His previous experiences include maintaining the historic lawns of the Manulife Head Office Complex in Toronto. As an arborist he has worked as the Supervisor of Forestry for the City of Markham and Forestry Project Manager for the City of Hamilton. He was the Coordinator of Arbor Services for the Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries. Jeff contributed to the review and editing of the Landscaping Standards for Landscape Ontario. His recent semi-retired work has included creating Contract Specifications and Tender documents for property management companies, plus developing and delivering course curriculum for Landscape Ontario’s Grow program and the Professional Development Programs.

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Dr. Tom Hsiang is a Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of Guelph, specializing in fungal diseases of plants. Before arriving in Guelph, he worked on tree and landscape plant diseases in Washington State, where he obtained his Ph.D. (University of Washington) and conducted post-doctoral studies (Washington State University). He is from Vancouver, and obtained his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees in Forest Biology & Pathology at the University of British Columbia. His current teaching and research involve diseases of trees and turfgrasses, particularly biology of fungal pathogens as well as disease management. He has done extensive work with snow molds of grasses. 

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Sean Jordan is the Manager of the Turfgrass Research Facility at the University of Guelph. He has spent the past nine years as a Research Technician at the University and has more than 20 years of experience across the turfgrass industry. In addition to managing research facility operations, he is an instructor in the Diploma in Turfgrass Management program and the Turf Managers’ Short Course, where he teaches turfgrass equipment management and turf math. A former Superintendent and Agronomist for Nutrite, he brings extensive expertise in research, greenkeeping, and equipment maintenance to support innovation and hands-on learning at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute.

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Jordan Kitchen is the Co-Founder & Principal of HK Golf Services Inc., a golf course consulting firm specializing in drainage planning, design, field investigation, and construction support.

Prior to founding HK Golf Services, Jordan spent more than a decade at Hamilton Golf & Country Club, progressing through several leadership roles before serving as Golf Course Superintendent from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, he helped lead the club through a major golf course renovation and preparations for multiple RBC Canadian Opens, including serving as Superintendent for the 2024 championship.

Jordan is a graduate of the University of Guelph’s Turfgrass Management program and holds an MBA in Agriculture from the University of Guelph. Through HK Golf Services, he now applies his experience in golf course construction, infrastructure, project management, and drainage to help clubs better understand, document, and improve their golf course infrastructure.

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Stephen Hicks is the Co-Founder& Principal of HK Golf Services Inc., specializing in golf course drainage investigation, planning, design, and construction support.

Stephen brings extensive experience in golf course management and construction, including serving as Golf Course Superintendent at Brantford Golf & Country Club. His career has provided him with first-hand experience managing golf course infrastructure and addressing the practical drainage challenges that affect turf performance, playability, and long-term course conditions.

Through HK Golf Services, Stephen works directly with golf course superintendents and clubs to investigate existing drainage systems, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop practical drainage solutions informed by both field experience and an understanding of day-to-day golf course operations.

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Dr. Sara Stricker is the Communications and Programs Manager at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. She strives to make turfgrass research engaging and accessible to both the industry and the public. Sara earned her B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. from the University of Guelph, and a Bachelor of Education from Western University. In addition to her research and outreach work, Sara teaches in the Turf Managers Short Course and the Diploma in Turfgrass Management programs where she covers topics such as weeds, insects, environmental management, and plant biology.

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Joe Breedon is the Outdoor Recreation Facility Coordinator for the City of Barrie. Joe was named the Sports Turf Manager of the year in 2018 by Sports Turf Canada (now Canadian Sports Fields Association) and was recognized in the Turf & Rec Top 10 under 40 in 2020. Furthermore, he has been awarded the "Field of Excellence" award by Pioneer Athletics for his work at the Barrie Community Sports Complex, and the Barrie Baycats named the grounds crew, which included Joe, as the "MVP" for the 2008 season. Joe is known for his professionalism and commitment to Ontario's municipal green infrastructure. Joe earned the designation of a “Certified Sports Field Manager” through the Sports Field Management Association based out of the USA for the last 7 years.

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Trevor Warner's dedication to sports field maintenance began while he was playing junior college baseball in Tennessee. He enjoyed maintaining the field and had a knack for it. He considers himself fortunate to have been able to learn from some of the best in the southeastern United States sports field construction and renovation industry. He has maintained fields for the City of Welland, for the Niagara Stars, and completed major renovations in Quebec for the league. He then expanded his industry awareness with Mar-Co Clay Products. He has been in the municipal environment with the City of Woodstock since 2014. Trevor is a strong believer of continual professional development and completed the Turf Managers’ Short Course at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. Trevor is a long-standing member of Sports Turf Canada and won the Sports Turf Manager of the Year in 2021. He is working with turf related organizations to provide infield management training and sharing his expertise with the industry.

Chris Kern, Supervisor of Parks and Forestry at City of Woodstock

Mark Robinson is a meteorologist, storm chaser, and adventurer. A graduate of the University of Guelph and York University’s meteorology program, Mark has built a career documenting some of the world’s most extreme weather events, including tornadoes and major hurricanes such as Katrina and Sandy. He created and hosted the television series Storm Hunters (2013–2018) and has made numerous other media appearances. Mark is a regular contributor to The Weather Network, where he shares his expertise on extreme weather events, emerging weather trends and other timely topics. 

Chris Chappell is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) specialist with extensive experience in turfgrass management and cricket field construction and maintenance. A graduate of the University of Guelph and an IPM-certified professional, Chris has played a key role in developing and maintaining high-quality natural turf cricket pitches in Canada and internationally. With a background as both a cricket player and grounds curator, he brings practical knowledge of turf management, soil composition and pitch preparation. His work has contributed to the development and renovation of cricket facilities, helping advance the quality and playability of natural turf cricket wickets.