Turf Students Spotlight: Turf Students Placed Third in GCSAA Collegiate Quiz Bowl

Originally published by Purdue HLA Happenings – Issue 26-06

Purdue Turf students at GCSSA standing together indoors holding a large ceremonial check for the 2026 Collegiate Turf Bowl award.

The Purdue turf students competed last week at the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Collegiate Quiz Bowl competition at the GCSAA annual meeting in Orlando, FL. This hands-on exam tests the students plant/seed/pest/equipment identification skills, practical turfgrass calculations for related to golf turf management. The Horticulture and Landscape Architecture Department sent 16 students (four teams of four each) to the competition to compete against students from across the USA and Canada. The Quiz Bowl attracted a total of 288 total students.

Four Turf Science students standing indoors holding a large ceremonial check for a Turf Bowl competition award

The top Purdue team represented by Otto Hoehl, Gavin Kenning, Abe Tebbe and Will Mahan placed 3rd out of 78 total teams. In addition to the quiz bowl, the students had the chance to attend educational sessions and the always popular golf industry trade show where they visited industry vendors as well as networking with Golf Course Managers from across the world.

Participants seated at a table reviewing papers and discussing materials during an academic competitive event.