John Wildmon Awarded the FTGA Wreath of Grass

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Heather Russo, Association Manager

(863) 688-9413 or Heather@FTGA.org

John Wildmon Awarded the FTGA Wreath of Grass

LAKELAND, Fla. (October 16, 2024): The Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA) has announced that John Wildmon will be honored with the FTGA Wreath of Grass award. Distributed annually since 1960, this award is FTGA’s highest honor and recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding service to the association and the turfgrass industry. The award will be presented at the 71st Annual FTGA Conference in December.

John Wildmon received an early introduction to the world of turf. Until the age of 13, he lived in the middle of the west course of the County Club of Birmingham in a house provided by the club for his father Joe, the greenskeeper, until the family relocated to Florida. Wildmon worked in the turfgrass industry for nearly 50 years. For the better part of that time, he served tirelessly on behalf of the industry, both on and off the job.

While studying for his associate degree from Polk Junior College, he worked his way through school as a night auditor for Howard Johnson’s and as an usher for Nelson Funeral Home. After graduation in 1970, he worked as a factory supervisor making car and aircraft interiors while mowing golf course greens on the weekend for his father, his first introduction to the turfgrass arena. When his father retired from Mountain Lake Country Club, Wildmon was offered the job as assistant golf course superintendent.

After Wildmon married his wife Marie in 1977, he left Mountain Lake to take the superintendent job at Lake Wales Country Club. In 1980, he returned to school at the University of Florida (UF) while he and his wife managed Willow Creek Wholesale Nursery. He graduated with B.S. and M.S. degrees in Ornamental Horticulture with a 3.97 grade point average in 1984. While working on his degrees, Wildmon was supported in part by a general scholarship and by the Florida Turfgrass Association (FTGA), receiving the Florida Turfgrass Research Fund’s Col. Frank Ward Scholarship.

Immediately upon graduation from UF, Wildmon began teaching in the Golf Course and Landscape programs at Lake City Community College, now Florida Gateway College. He served as an advisory member of the FTGA Board of Directors for 16 years as well as chairperson and member of the Conference Committee. John retired from Florida Gateway College after 30 years of teaching.

FTGA Board Member Jimmy Evans says, “John Wildmon is a wonderful example of someone who has devoted his life to not only the Turfgrass Industry but to his students even after graduation.”

FTGA Vice President Eric Dixon reflects on Wildmon’s ability to find the humor in most situations and some of the many ways he went the extra mile for his students. “John Wildmon made learning turfgrass fun! He always had a funny quote or saying to keep students engaged. He called Bermudagrass, ‘Bermooda.’ He regularly said things like ‘I thought about this while driving on country roads eating a Moon Pie and drinking an RC cola.’ He stressed professionalism but also knew how to let the students be themselves. He often had students who weren't the best in a classroom, and he found a way to engage them.

“John led the Turf Club, which included introducing students to the FTGA and the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association. He taught extra classes for students to learn irrigation auditing or to compete in the national Turf Bowl with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. He travelled with students to industry events and helped many get their first job in the turf industry, often from a former student. John has made a lasting impact on the lives and careers of many turf and landscape professionals throughout Florida.”

The Florida turfgrass industry has a $5 billion economic impact in the state and provides about 84,000 jobs. FTGA, founded in 1952, advocates for and promotes the turfgrass industry with research, continuing education, and networking opportunities for turfgrass professionals. For more information, visit www.ftga.org.

-30-