News Profiles
‘Grass is not a foe’: WCTA, OGSA previews

The Western Canada Turfgrass Association’s annual conference and trade show is returning for a third straight year to the River Rock Casino in Richmond, B.C., Feb. 11-13.

Two days of education seminars are planned for the 57th annual conference as well as a trade show on both days. The theme for the conference’s educational component is, “Mythbusters: grass is not a foe.”

Four pre-conference education sessions will be presented on Tuesday, Feb. 11, addressing such topics as fertility, synthetic turf and an introduction to turf management.

The conference is aimed at golf superintendents, sports turf managers and professionals working in other areas of recreational turfgrass management.

Speakers and their topics for the conference include:

Wednesday, Feb. 12

• Keynote address: A journey on the turf – Carl Valentine, Vancouver Whitecaps FC
• Mythbusters: grass is not a foe – Dr. Michael Brownbridge, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
• Community value of golf courses project – Dr. Brian Horgan, Michigan State University
• Focus on potassium nutrition – Dr. Doug Soldat, University of Wisconsin
• Turfgrass stress physiology – Dr. John Sorochan, University of Tennessee
• The good turf manager – Dr. Michael Brownbridge, Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
• What is natural capital? – Dr. Brian Horgan, Michigan State University
• The new IPM manual has arrived – Mario Lanthier, Crop Health Advising and Research
• Bee boulevard – David Misfeldt, City of Calgary Transportation Department
• Game of drones – Darrell Lindhout, Ctech, City of Chilliwack
• A guide to invasive species management for turf managers – Gail Wallin, ISC of B.C.

Thursday, Feb. 13

• Disease management in the era of reduced fungicide use – Dr. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph
• Lab tests confirm pink snow mold fungicide resistance – Dr. Tom Hsiang, University of Guelph
• The latest on snow mold research – Dr. Paul Koch, University of Wisconsin
• Making the step to superintendent– Chris Carson, Echo Lake Country Club, Westfield, N.J.
• Forward thinking – Larry Gilhuly, USGA (retired)
• Functional urban landscapes – Dr. Paul Koch, University of Wisconsin
• Hybrid turf install and other really cool stuff – Robert Heggie, head groundskeeper, BMO Field
• The infield play deep – Ross Baron, Vancouver Canadians head groundskeeper
• Transitioning from sports fields to golf – Stu Carmichael, City of Courtenay
• Improved turfgrasses reduce inputs – Steve Reid, DLF International Seeds
• Sprayer flow control components and calibration – Dave Annis, Smithco
• Safety and environment – Peter Isaacson, CNLA
• Application technology – Peter Isaacson, CNLA
• Not loving your hydraulic irrigation system? – Terry Ormrod, Toro Irrigation
• What do you do when…? – Lonnie Nolls, Oakcreek Golf & Turf
• Safe golf cart and equipment operation – Jeff Miller, Isle Golf Carts
• The way of the problem solver– Tom Schellenberg, Marine Drive Golf Club
• It’s not personal, it’s personality – KayLee Hansen KayH Consulting

In addition to the education sessions and trade show, other highlights of the conference include a president’s welcome reception on Tuesday, Feb. 11, the WCTA’s annual general meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Great Canadian Pub Night on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and a closing conference keynote session by Wes Barker, “Stunt Magician” on Thursday, Feb. 13.

For more information or to register, visit www.wcta-online.com.

OGSA conference returns to Niagara Falls
Following a year in Ontario’s ski country, the Ontario Golf Superintendents Association’s annual conference and trade show is returning in 2020 to its familiar grounds in Niagara Falls.

The three-day event is scheduled for Jan. 14-16 at the Sheraton on the Falls.

Highlighting the conference’s opening day is a keynote address by Jack Armstrong, broadcaster and voice of the NBA’s 2018-19 champion Toronto Raptors.

Speakers and their topics for the conference include:

Tuesday, Jan. 14

• Assistant’ symposium featuring Bobby Cook, Andrew Krek and Ken Tilt – to be moderated by Scott White, Syngenta
• Agronomic testing on golf courses: soil, water, tissue, physical – Brian Mavis, Mavis Consulting Agronomist

Wednesday, Jan. 15

• Golf course superintendents can influence design – Christine Fraser, golf course architect
• Basic tactics for in-house drainage – Steve Ami, Kelly Ami Drainage
• The process: renovating greens at North Shore Country Club –Dan Dinelli, superintendent, North Shore Country Club, Glenview, Ill.
• A muddy situation: managing problematic earthworms – Dr. Ben McGraw, associate professor of turfgrass science, Pennsylvania State University

Thursday, Jan. 16

• Managing severe turfgrass insect pests in an ever-changing environment – Dr. Ben McGraw, associate professor of turfgrass science, Pennsylvania State University
• Winterkill: causes, prevention and re-establishment – Dr. Kevin W. Frank, professor and state turf extension specialist, Michigan State University

For more information about the conference or to register, visit www.ogsa.ca.