John Marman Memorial Scholarship Fund
John was deeply community-minded and an enthusiastic advocate for education, and he carried that passion into the natural grass and turf industry throughout his life. He believed strongly in mentorship, learning, and giving back, and he took great pride in supporting the next generation of turf professionals.
Following John’s passing in 2022, and in recognition of his long-standing involvement with and commitment to the turfgrass industry and education, a memorial fund was established in his honor. Through this fund, the John Marman Scholarship was created and ongoing support for the Mt. SAC Turf Team, with additional proceeds benefiting the Cal Poly Pomona Turf Bowl Fund.
Our hope is to keep John’s memory alive by ensuring he remains part of the programs, students, and industry he cared so deeply about. Through education and opportunity, his passion continues to live on.
If you would like to support this effort, please click the link to visit the Natural Sciences Division giving page. You can also participate in his annual golf tournament.
*Please sign up for the 4th Annual John Marman Foundation Golf Tournament at Aliso Viejo Country Club on 5/11/26 HERE!
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JOHN MARMAN V
2/23/71-8/14/2022
We are saddened to announce the sudden passing of John Marman.
John attended College of the Desert, where his father, Coach John Marman, served as Athletic Director for 33 years. He later graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a degree in environmental services. He was a proud Beta Theta Pi.
John worked for West Coast Turf for 27 years, beginning his career straight out of college when his sister, Danielle Scardino, WCT Marketing & PR Director, convinced company President John Foster to hire her little brother to work in the sod fields. Over the years, John worked his way up through the company, spending several years with West Coast Turf’s Nevada operation in Las Vegas, where he was mentored by one of the best in the business and one of the most influential people in his life, the late Barry Mohon. John later held the company’s Regional Manager position before being named Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 2015.
John absolutely loved his job. He worked on projects such as Super Bowls, World Series, the Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, the LA Coliseum, and Candlestick Park—the list could truly go on forever.
John served on the Certification Board of Governors of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, was a member of the Sports Field Managers Association, CA Landscape Contractors Association, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and founded the Nevada Landscape Association with Barry.
John is survived by his adored 10-year-old son, John Knox Marman VI, from his marriage to Donna Fisher Marman; his sisters Sue (Suzi) Hanks (John) and Danielle Scardino (John); and the entire West Coast Turf family.
John was community-minded and an enthusiastic advocate for education, and he brought that same passion to the natural grass and turf industry. Our wish is to keep his memory alive by ensuring he remains part of the programs, students, and profession he cared so deeply about.
