FIVE days of education seminars have been earmarked for the 2009 Canadian International Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show, March 7-11 in Halifax, N.S.
The event, sponsored by the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association, includes two days of pre-conference seminars and a trade show scheduled for the final two days of the conference.
Keynote speaker for the conference is golf historian David Joy of St. Andrews, Scotland, who will speak on Monday, March 9. He has become well known in recent years for his portrayal of Old Tom Morris in a one-man show aimed at preserving St. Andrews and its traditions. Joy is also a playwright and author.
Speaker highlights
Monday, March 9
• "Organic program at Vineyard Golf Course," presented by Jeff Carlson, superintendent at the Vineyard Golf Club on the Island of Martha's Vineyard. The golf course is one of the first organically-conceived, constructed and maintained golf courses in the United States.
• "Foliar nutrition: a splash on the grass," presented by Roch Gaussoin, professor of agronomy and horticulture at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Session will aid in better understanding foliar nutrition.
• "Winter kill: causes, prevention and recovery," presented by Kevin Frank, extension turfgrass specialist at Michigan State University. A discussion of the causes of winter kill and preventative strategies.
• "Determining golfer exposure and hazard to pesticides," presented by John Marshall Clark, professor of environmental toxicology and chemistry at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. An examination of the exposure risks associated with turfgrass pesticides.
• "The value of the superintendent and how best to promote yourself," presented by Matt Shaffer, member of the USGA green section committee. How to educate employers about the difficulty and diversity of the golf superintendent profession.
• "Cultivation of golf turf," presented by James Murphy, turfgrass extension specialist at Rutgers University. A look at the factors involved in the proper management of golf turf.
• "Course renovations from a superintendent's perspective," presented by Mike Rossi, superintendent at Humber Valley Resort's River Course. The process, techniques and challenges associated with renovation projects from a superintendent's point of view.
• "Biological control of European crane fly and black cutworm," presented by Louis Simard, supervisor of research projects in turfgrass entomology and nematology at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. Practical information on alternative control of these pests.
• "An environmental approach to golf course design," presented by Ian Andrew, golf course architect responsible for the restoration of many of Canada's top golf courses. How architecture can assume a leading role in reducing golf's impact.
• "The process of identifying and treating turf diseases," presented by Dr. Tom Hsiang, associate professor of plant pathology at the University of Guelph. Tips and techniques to better identify common turf diseases.
Tuesday, March 10
• "Soil consistency and turf health," presented by David Doherty, president and founder of the International Sports Turf Research Center Inc. How soil makeup affects the health of turf on the golf course.
• "Wear and soil compaction management," presented by Dr. Robert Carrow, professor of crop and soil sciences at the University of Georgia. Factors contributing to wear and soil compaction stresses.
• "Assessing soil firmness and the effects of soil moisture," presented by Matthew Pringle, senior research engineer with the USGA's technical department. The effect of soil moisture on soil firmness and soil firmness' effect on course playability and turf health.
Wednesday, March 11
• "Environmental management systems and their value," presented by Terry Muir, certified environmental auditor and member of the Australian Golf Course Superintendents Association. The movement among Australian superintendents from environmental laggards to environmental leaders through environmental management systems.
• "Principles and strategies of poa management," presented by Mike Agnew, developer of turfgrass fungicides and special projects with Syngenta. Cultural practices and plant protection products to help maintain the health of annual bluegrass.
• "The impacts of spray tip technology on application effectiveness," presented by Ralph Walker, founder of Appli-Tech Canada. A look at the advances in spray nozzle design to help concerns related to buffer zones, wetlands and wildlife habitats.
• "Improving water conservation: new concepts, technologies and products," presented by Dr. Robert Carrow of the University of Georgia. How to achieve water-use efficiency and conservation.
• "Preparing for the U.S. Open," presented by Mark Woodward, chief executive of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. A reflection of the challenges associated with hosting the 2008 U.S. Open.
• "Vision to reality: the building of Black Bear Ridge Golf Course," presented by Bill Fach, superintendent at Black Bear Ridge Golf Course. The planning, construction, grow-in, problems and successes of growing in the course.
• "Minimizing turf inputs," presented by Cale Bigelow, associate professor of agronomy at Perdue University in Indiana. How to maximize efficiency, from proper species and cultivar selection to mowing, irrigation and fertilization practices.
• "Bunker renovations," presented by Robert Randquist, director of golf course and grounds at Boca Rio Golf Club in Boca Raton, Fla. A look at bunker architecture, drainage design and installation, and liner installation.
Pre-conference seminars
Topics that will be covered during the two-day pre-conference sessions March 7-8 include:
• integrating accounting, budgeting and finance for turfgrass professionals
• water use symposium
• turfgrass traffic stress: physiology and management
• turfgrass soil fertility and nutrition: assessment and management
• physical properties of soils
• how to prepare, manage and recover from winter kill injury, and cool season turfgrass nutrition, fertilizers and programming
• practical IPM concepts and resources
• employee motivation, evaluation and incentives
More information
For more information about the conference and trade show, visit www.golfsupers.com .
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