Fall 2015 - 67
www.turftrends.com
TOM BATY
Kalamazoo, Mich., native.
Michigan State University
graduate with a degree in turfgrass
management in 1986.
Superintendent at Bend (OR)
Golf & Country Club.
Former superintendent at Indian
Wells (CA) Country Club and at
De Anza Country Club in Borrego
Springs, CA.
Since its inception, Baty has
hosted several summer interns from
China.
Three years ago Baty helped train
students about the proper way
to use turf equipment at Sichuan
Agricultural University in Yaan,
Sichuan Province.
"Last November he asked me
again and we went to Beijing
Forestry University and did the
same thing," Baty said. Between
60-to-70 students participated in
groups of 6-to-8 at a time every
hour.
Metal manufacturers' John Deere,
Toro, Tru-Turf and True Surface
generously donated equipment that
allowed MSU to train students how
to operate golf course equipment
in China prior to coming to the USA
for their internship.
"Most of them have never driven
before," Baty said. "Thom teaches
them how to drive a Gator, doing
3-point turns and dumping
topdressing.
"I had a Toro 1000 walking greens
mower," Baty said. "We teach them
to have confidence controlling
machines by doing proper turns
and how to check oil and turn
everything on and off. Make sure
you have straight lines. I did a lot of
that. We also had a Tru-Turf roller,
and we teach them how to operate
a roller.
Baty assisted in five days of
training and found the students
very friendly.
Connecting
Connecting
By Allen Thayer
