over 25 years of turfgrass experience.
With an educational background in turfgrass management including both Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Minnesota, coupled with decades of professional experience as a practitioner, Sam has the right mix of theory, research, and real-world application to fulfill your turfgrass needs.
Sam Bauer is the owner of BauerTurf, LLC, specializing in turfgrass consulting, education, and research. Throughout his career, he’s gathered a wide range of experience. Here are some of the highlights:
Golf courses
Leadership roles at golf courses around the world from large well-known courses like TPC Sawgrass and Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course in Hong Kong to smaller regional courses like River Falls Golf Club in WI and even private practice facilities for individual property owners.
Academia
Over six years as an Associate Extension Professor at University of Minnesota Extension focusing on turfgrass science, and currently an adjunct instructor at Florida Gulf Coast University, and co-founder/instructor at Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science.
Industry Involvement
Executive Director of the North Central Turfgrass Association, and president of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation.
Research
Collaboratively worked on over $7.8M in grants for various turfgrass research projects, and been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, scientific abstracts, trade publications and blog posts.
Consulting
Projects ranging from turf consultant on the private, destination golf club – Tepetonka – to single-visit evaluations at smaller, local clubs across the Midwest.
Training
To date, Sam has given over 300 presentations and trainings to audiences around the world, ranging from golf course superintendents to homeowners.
Academic & Trade Publications
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Petrella, D.P., Bauer, S., Horgan, B.P. and Watkins, E. 2021. Exploring fine fescues as an option for low-input golf greens in the north-central USA. Crop Science. 61(5): 2949-2962.
Breuillin-Sessoms, F., Petrella, D.P., Sandor, D., Bauer, S.J., Horgan, B.P. 2021. Response of Retail Lawn Seed Products during Acute Drought and Recovery. HortTechnology. 31(4): 448-457.
Heineck, G.C., Bauer, S.J., Cavanaugh, M., Hollman, A., Watkins, E. and Horgan, B.P. 2019. Variability in Creeping Bentgrass Cultivar Germinability as Influenced by Cold Temperatures. Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management. 5(1): 1-7.
Koch, P., Soldat, D., Bauer, S. and Patton, A. 2017. The Great Lakes School of Turfgrass Science: A Nine-State Online Collaboration to Improve the Turfgrass Short Course. Journal of Extension. 55: 3.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B. and Cavanaugh, M. 2017. Wetting Agent Influence on Putting Green Surface Firmness. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 13: 1-5.
Hollman, A., Heineck, G., Frank, K., Bauer, S., Bryan, J., Horgan, B. 2017. Effects of De-Icing Products on Putting Green Turf. International Turfgrass Society Research Journal. 13: 1-8.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B., Soldat, D., Gardner, D. and Lloyd, D. 2017. Effects of Low Temperatures on Nitrogen Uptake, Partitioning, and Utilization in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens. Crop Science. 57(2): 1001-1009.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B.P., Watkins, E., Hathoway, A., Calhoun, R., Frank, K. 2012. Establishment of creeping bentgrass in annual bluegrass fairways using glyphosate and interseeding. Applied Turfgrass Science. Online doi:10.1094/ATS-2012-0127-01-RS. 27 Jan.
Bauer, S., Lloyd, D., Horgan, B.P., Soldat, D.J. 2012. Agronomic and physiological responses of cool-season turfgrass to fall-applied nitrogen. Crop Science, 52(1): 1-10.
Kreuser, W.C., Fish, M.P., Soldat, D.J., Bauer, S.J. 2011. Removing sand from putting green samples substantially reduces clipping weight measurement error. Crop Science, 51(3): 1268- 1273.
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Schwab, R., Watkins, E., Hollman, A., Horgan, B. and Bauer, S. 2019. Optimum seeding rate and biomass removal timing for no-mow fine fescue golf course roughs. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 118578.
Moncada, K., Trappe, J.M., Bauer, S. and Watkins, E. 2019. Developing online education and training for installation and management of roadside turfgrasses. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 118730.
Schwab, R., Horgan, B. and Bauer, S. 2019. Wetting agent influence on soil water repellency parameters at different rootzone temperatures. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 120102.
Sessoms, F., Sandor, D., Horgan, B. and Bauer, S. 2018. Drought tolerance of consumer turfgrass seed mixtures and blends. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 112045.
Petrella, D.P., Bauer, S., Horgan, B. and Watkins, E. 2018. Determining optimal nitrogen fertility rates for reduced-input fine fescue putting greens. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 112432.
Schwab, R., Bauer, S. and Horgan, B. 2018. Wetting agent efficacy as influenced by soil temperature. ASA, CSSA and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 112594.
Trappe, J., Bauer, S., Watkins, E., Cavanaugh, M. 2017. Effect of seeding date on tall fescue and fine fescue performance. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 106619.
Schwab, R., Sessoms, F., Horgan, B., Bauer, S. 2017. Comparison of methods for quantifying soil water repellency in surfactant-applied soil. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 107034.
Bauer, S. and Horgan, B. 2017. Reducing water use on Twin Cities lawns through assessment, research, and demonstration. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 108599.
Trappe, J., Watkins, E., Hollman, A., Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M. 2016. Determining optimum watering regimes for establishment of Kentucky bluegrass sod and fine fescue sod. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 102275.
Bauer, S., Watkins, E., Horgan, B., Reyes, J. 2016. Establishment of roadside turfgrasses with modular irrigation systems. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 102332.
Watkins, E., Bauer, S., Friell, J., Horgan, B. 2016. Roadside Turfgrass Research in Minnesota. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 101943.
Horgan, B., Leslie, M., Murphy, J. A., Bauer, S. 2015. Building an extension program for the fine fescue SCRI grant. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 93790.
Cavanaugh, M., Bauer, S., Horgan, B. 2015. Wetting agents and their effect on surface firmness and winter health of creeping bentgrass putting greens. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 94097.
Cavanaugh, M., Bauer, S., Heineck, G., Hollman, A., Watkins, E., Horgan, B. 2015. Freezing tolerance of creeping bentgrass cultivars. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 94131.
Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M., Horgan, B. 2015. Evaluation of creeping bentgrass cultivar germination differences at various temperatures. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 94190.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B., Hathaway, A., Calhoun, R., Hollman, A., Watkins, E., Frank, K. 2010. Conversion of mixed species golf course fairways to creeping bentgrass using glyphosate. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings. p. 59335.
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Petrella, D., Bauer, S., Horgan, B. and Watkins, E. 2021. Are fine fescues an option for low-input golf greens in Minnesota? Hole Notes. 56(5): p. 44-51.
Petrella, D., Bauer, S., Horgan, B. and Watkins, E. 2021. Fine fescues for low-input golf greens in the north-central U.S.: Two fine fescue species may be viable alternatives to creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass for golf course putting greens. Golf Course Management. 89(6): p. 73-77.
Schwab, R., Horgan, B. and Bauer, S. 2020. Seasonal longevity of wetting agent functions. Hole Notes. 55(11): p. 16, 18-19, 21-24, 27-30.
Hockemeyer, K., Koch, P., Soldat, D., Watkins, E., Bauer, S. and Straw, C. 2020. Dollar spot control using urea and iron sulfate. The Grass Roots. May/June. 49(3): p. 8, 10-14.
Schwab, R., Watkins, E., Hollman, A., Horgan, B. and Bauer, S. 2020. Optimal seeding rate and biomass removal for no-mow roughs. Golf Course Management. 88(2): p. 79.
Watkins, E., Bauer, S. and Hollman, A. 2019. Establishment and maintenance practices for no-mow fine fescue golf course roughs. Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program: 2019 Research Summaries. p. 108-112.
Heineck, G.C., Bauer, S.J., Cavanaugh, M., Hollman, A., Watkins, E. and Horgan, B.P. 2019. Germinating creeping bent in the cold. Golfdom. 75(10): p. 63-65.
Watkins, E., Bauer, S. and Hollman, A. 2018. Establishment and maintenance practices for no-mow fine fescue golf course roughs. Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program: 2018 Research Summaries. p. 102-106.
Ebdon, S., DaCosta, M., Dest, W., Thomas, A., Bauer, S., Wherley, B., Hejl, R., Chavarria, M., Chang, B., Flores, G., Bowling, W., Hopkins, B.G. and Hansen, N.C. 2018. University turf researchers are working for you. SportsTurf. 34(6): p. 18-29.
Horgan, B., Watkins, E. and Bauer, S. 2018. 2018 MTGF funding - $65,000: Turfgrass Program support. MTGF Clippings. 26(1): p. 11, 13.
Watkins, E., Bauer, S., Hollman, A. 2017. Establishment and maintenance practices for no-mow fine fescue golf course roughs. Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program: 2017 Research Summaries. p. 156-159.
Friell, J., Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Straw, C. 2017. Encouraging the adoption of precision irrigation technology through on-course application and demonstration of water savings. Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program: 2017 Research Summaries. p. 237-242.
Bauer. S. 2017. Managing sports turf using wetting agents: A case for full-field applications. SportsTurf. 33(12): p. 8-10.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B. 2017. Spring Golf Course Report. Hole Notes. April. 52(3): p. 24-27.
Bauer, S. 2017. On Sight- A Directional Pivot for Member-Driven Research. Hole Notes. March. 52(2): p. 26-29.
Watkins, E., Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Orshinsky, A. 2017. 2017 MTGF funding - $60,000: Turfgrass Program Support. MTGF Clippings. 25(1): p. 13-14.
Bauer, S. 2017. Top 5 home lawn questions & answers. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 25(1): p. 16-17.
Bauer. S. 2016. Soil Wetting Agents for Water Conservation. MTGF Clippings. Fall/Winter. 24(2): p. 6.
Bauer, S. 2016. A multitude of portable moisture meters. Hole Notes. 51(8): p. 44-55.
Bauer, S., and B. Horgan. 2016. Wetting agent influence on surface firmness and winter injury of putting greens. Hole Notes. April. 50(3): p. 42-45, 47-50.
Bauer, S. A new face at the U of M: Jonah Reyes joins the turfgrass science program. 2016. Hole Notes. April. 50(3): p. 51.
Watkins, E., Horgan, B., Bauer, S. and Orshinsky, A. 2016. Turfgrass program support. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 24(1): p. 11.
Horgan, B., Bauer, S. and Cavanaugh, M. 2016. Evaluation of creeping bentgrass variety germination differences at various temperatures. Hole Notes. January/February. 50(1): p. 16-23.
Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M. 2015. Growing Degree Day modeling for Trimmit and Cutless applications on creeping bentgrass fairways. Hole Notes. 49(3): p. 20-30.
Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M. 2015. Growing Degree Day modeling for Primo applications on creeping bentgrass putting greens. Hole Notes. 49(3) p. 32-39.
Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M. 2015. Wetting agents and their effect on surface firmness and winter health of bentgrass putting greens. Hole Notes. April 49(3): p. 42-66.
Watkins, E., Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Orshinsky, A. 2015. Turfgrass program support. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 23(1): p. 12-13.
Bauer, S., Cavanaugh, M., Gagliardi, M., Horgan, B. 2014. Member driven research: Using growing degree days to schedule paclobutrazol applications on Kentucky bluegrass fairways. Hole Notes November/December. 48(10): pm 40-48.
Bauer, S. 2014. Wetting agent influence on surface firmness and winter injury of putting greens. MTGF Clippings. Fall/Winter. 22(2): p. 6.
Bauer, S. 2014. Evaluating growing-degree-day models for scheduling of trinexapac-ethyl applications. MTGF Clippings. Fall/Winter. 22(2): p. 10.
Orshinsky, A., Cavanaugh, M., Bauer, S. 2014. Plant defense activator and plant health product assessment. MTGF Clippings. Fall/Winter. 22(2): p. 20.
Bauer, S., Hoffman, L., Horgan, B. 2014. Working undercover: A look at minimizing winter damage to greens through covers and other prevention strategies. Golfdom. July. 70(7): p. 40-42.
Bauer, S., Horgan, B., and Hoffman, L. 2014. Winterkill in the crosshairs: Cultural considerations for preparing greens for winter. Golfdom. June. 70(6): p. 30-33.
Horgan, B., Cavanaugh, M., Bauer, S. 2014. Member driven research update. Hole Notes. May. (48(4): p. 34-39.
Bauer, S., Mugaas, B., Horgan, B. 2014. Watering practices for lawns. Minnesota Recreation and Parks. Summer issue.
Watkins, E., Horgan, B., Bauer, S., Orshinsky, A. 2014. Turfgrass program support. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 22(1): p. 12-13.
Orshinsky, A. and Bauer, S. 2014. Research: Evaluation of turf management products for disease suppression, increased turf quality and stress tolerance, and genetic upregulation of plant defense reactions. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 22(1): p. 16-17.
Frank, K., Horgan, B., Hollman, A., Bauer, S. 2014. Melting ice on putting greens. Hole Notes. January/February. 48(1): p. 38-42.
Leslie, M., Bauer, S., Horgan, B. 2013. How do you like to stay informed? Hole Notes. November/December. 47(10): p. 40-47.
Horgan, B., and S. Bauer. 2013. Soil wetting agents: Tools for every superintendent’s arsenal: An objective and in-depth review of over five decades of research. Hole Notes. July. 46(6): p. 20-39.
Bauer, S. 2013. Social media use in turfgrass management: The basics. MTGF Clippings. Spring/Summer. 21(1): p. 10-11.
Bauer, S. and B.P. Horgan. 2012. Regional turfgrass report. Hole Notes. October. 44(9): p. 38.
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Renovating a lawn for quality and sustainability
Water-saving strategies for home lawns
Auditing home lawn irrigation systems
Mowing practices for healthy lawns
Turf species for home lawns - Infographic
Spring preemergent applications for crabgrass
Seeding your lawn this fall? Here are some considerations part 1
Seeding your lawn this fall? Here are some considerations part 2
Melting ice sheets on putting greens
Damaged lawns: steps to bringing some life back
There’s still time to dormant seed your lawn
Options for controlling weeds in your lawn this summer
Good question: do you really need to rake all those leaves?
A practical model for low-maintenance turfgrass
Lawn care: spring floods and drought….really?
“Putting is like wisdom, partly a natural gift and partly the accumulation of experience”
-Arnold Palmer-