As he entered college, Karnok continued to work on a golf course. His dream, at the time, was to be a golf course superintendent. Karnok received an associate degree in turfgrass management at a two-year school. He later decided that in order to be more competitive in the workforce that he would get a four-year degree in agronomy/plant pathology from the University of Arizona. This accomplishment was followed by a master's degree in agronomy, also from Arizona, and later a doctorate degree in agronomy from Texas A&M University.
"This field (turfgrass management) is really exciting. It seems to be growing leaps and bounds," said Karnok, who is now a renowned authority in the field. Recently, Karnok was selected as a fellow of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) and the Crop Science Society of America.
For the last three years, Karnok, in association with the Georgia Center's Department of Community Learning Resources and the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, has delivered the highly successful course Principles of Turfgrass Management, which prepares individuals to become certified turfgrass professionals. The non-credit, correspondence course addresses many areas of turfgrass management in detail, including types of turfgrass; adaptation to soil and climate; fertilization; mowing and irrigation; insects, weeds, and pesticides; turfgrass diseases; environmental issues and regulations; and customer relations.The course is designed for those affiliated with private lawn care companies, public recreation units, cemeteries, athletic fields, and golf courses. Karnok said, with increasing environmental concerns, and the proper utilization of our natural resources, it is extremely important that people working in the industry have a sound technical background in the basic concepts of turfgrass management.
Currently, the correspondence course has more than 1,100 enrolled, from 47 states and 11 countries. "The success is largely due to the great cooperative effort of those involved in putting the program together. People like Helen Mills (head of the Center's Department of Community Learning Resources) and her staff are what really makes this program go," said Karnok. "It's a unique tie between the (turfgrass) industry, the Georgia Center, and my (Crop and Soil Sciences) department." More information about Principles of Turfgrass Management is available at its web page, http://www.gactr.uga.edu/IS/turfbro.html.
Although the field of turfgrass is thriving, it still has its critics, according to Karnok. Some believe the care of fine turfgrass areas is a waste of money and a poor use of natural resources. Others lodge the complaint that the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides contaminate the environment. "Unfortunately, those people are sorely misinformed. There is no better erosion control than turfgrass and when used properly, research has shown that fertilizers and pesticides used on turf do not enter our water or food supplies," said Karnok.
He added that the turfgrass industry is approximately a $1 billion industry in Georgia and a $25 billion industry nationwide. "The impact of turfgrass is bigger than most people think," he said. Students in UGA's Crop and Soil Sciences realize these facts as 40 percent of all UGA graduates from the department specialize in turfgrass management. A recent study of Southeastern schools revealed that students who specialize in turfgrass management are offered two to three jobs after graduating from a four-year program, Karnok said.
Karnok and his wife, Melinda, reside in Oconee County, Georgia. They have four children -- Kristen 22, Kara 21, Keith 17, and Kortney 16. He and Melinda recently celebrated their Silver (25th) Wedding Anniversary in the Bahamas. The two also teach a fourth-grade Sunday School class.
A Cleveland, Ohio, native, Karnok has been very active in his community by sup-porting youth sports and recreational programs. He served on the county's Little League Board of Directors for 10 years, as well as coached basketball and softball for most of that time. He is currently serving on the Oconee County Recreation Advisory Committee and is a representative in the Oconee County High School Warrior Club.
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