Biography:

Dr. Vassey, originally from Atlanta, teaches courses primarily in turfgrass, landscape and golf course management at Cal Poly and is the advisor for the Cal Poly Turf Club and Environmental Horticulture Club. His research interests are in sustainable turfgrass management, environmental stewardship, native and ornamental grass establishment and management, and golf course management practices. He is associated with many turfgrass and golf course management organizations and contributes often to their educational efforts.

He received his BS degree from the University of Georgia in 1980, his MS from Iowa State University (1983), and his PhD in Plant Physiology and Biochemistry from the University of Missouri in 1986. From there he completed two Post Docs; one at the University of Illinois and one at the University of Wisconsin. Vassey worked as a golf course superintendent from 1992 till 2003 in Atlanta and later in coastal North Carolina. His last position, before entering academia full-time, was as the General Superintendent at Sea Trail Resort and Golf, a 54-hole golf resort in Sunset Beach, N.C.

Schedule subject to change