STMA names winner of sixth annual Mowing Patterns contest

Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) named Kyle Calhoon, sports turf manager at the Hartford Yard Goats (Hartford, Conn.), its sixth annual “Mowing Patterns Contest” winner.

Calhoon was selected via a Facebook voting contest from Oct. 22 to Nov. 23 for his intricate design at Dunkin’ Donuts Park, home to the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A, Colorado Rockies).

“Kyle continues to elevate awareness of the sports turf industry through his impeccable field art,” says Kim Heck, CAE, CEO of STMA. “Finding the perfect balance of safety and visual appeal can be challenging, yet he has managed to accomplish this impressive feat.”

With expansive experience in Major League Baseball (Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees) and the National Football League, he most recently held the position of Grounds Manager for the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Hartford Yard Goats in 2016. In 2017 and 2018, he received the Diamond Pro Eastern League Sports Field Manager of the Year award. Calhoon graduated from Penn State University with a certificate in Turfgrass Management.

Calhoon will be included in a future issue of SportsTurf, STMA’s official monthly publication. His design will also have a custom poster featured at the 2018 STMA Conference & Exhibition (January 22-25) in Phoenix, Arizona.

Last year’s winner was Kelly Rensel, Head Groundskeeper at the Great Lakes Loons. Formerly Head Groundskeeper for the Greeneville Astros (Rookie, Houston Astros), Rensel won with the elaborate design he produced at Dow Diamond Stadium.