October 2006
In the Crosshairs
By Paul Diegnau, CGCS
Keller Golf Course
Maplewood, Minnesota
Minnesota Green Expo
It won't be long before we greenkeepers descend upon the Minneapolis
Convention Center to attend the 2007 Green Expo. As the MGCSA education chair, I
feel we have put together a very solid program that offers a good cross-section
of topics that should appeal to most. As with any MGCSA offering or event, we
need to hear from you, the membership. The only way we can improve and better
serve the needs of our members is through feedback, both positive and negative.
We need your help! So, on January 3, 4 and 5, check out the educational
offerings, the trade show and the camaraderie. Then, sound off!
One of the issues that concerns me regarding the Green Expo format is the amount
of education time available relative to dedicated trade show time. Currently,
the Green Expo runs for 25.5 hours over the course of three days from Wednesday
to Friday. The trade show is open for 19.5 of those 25.5 hours. Of those 19.5
trade show hours, 11.25 are dedicated hours. This means that educational
seminars cannot be scheduled during those hours. I am of the opinion that 19.5
hours will afford anyone, if interested, the opportunity to traverse the trade
show floor and visit with the vendors of their choosing. I would favor freeing
up 2-4 hours from the dedicated block of time for educational purposes. Adding
additional seminars to the golf program would allow for more variety; more
extended, in-depth seminars and could possibly bolster attendance from our
segment of the industry. After all, isn't the point of this winter gathering
centered around education? In order to lobby for these changes more effectively
at the MNLA/MTGF Joint Programming Board, I will need vocal support from MGCSA
members and vendors. The current JPB feels that the current time allotments for
education and trade show are appropriate and all parties are satisfied. I have
talked to both MGCSA members and vendors that feel differently. If there is
enough support for this proposition, I will pursue it further. If, on the other
hand, the status quo is acceptable to our membership and vendors, I will drop
the issue. It is up to YOU!
Now for a primer on the upcoming Green Expo that takes place on January 3-5,
2007
Wednesday
In addition to the always impressive keynote speaker that morning, Bob Vavrek,
USGA agronomist, will (hopefully?) share with us some of the problems and
solutions our colleague have dealt with at various golf courses he has
visited over the years.
Lukas Dant, M.S., Iowa State, will discuss sprayer performance issues and how to
improve plant-protectant performance as revealed by his field research at golf
courses across the Midwest.
Gary Grigg, CGCS, Grigg Brothers, will talk about program-based budgeting,
a technique that associates costs with specific golf course conditioning, making
random budget cuts much more difficult for golf course management.
Paul Magro, former GC Superintendent and Instructor, Turfgrass Technical
Coordinator and Field Research Facility Coordinator, Penn State, will present
talks on the art of syringing and the role of fertigation in golf course
maintenance.
Dr. Roch Gaussion, University of Nebraska will present the results of his
research on the role of organic matter in golf greens as they mature.
Thursday
Dr. Gaussoin/Gary Grigg will present their GCSAA half-day program on foliar
nutrition. This seminar has received high ratings from attendees in the
past.
Caitlin Rood, Environmental Engineer at Tetra Tech EM Inc., will discuss
pollution prevention strategies specific to golf courses, alternatives to
solvent-based parts washers that work, and how to choose cleaning supplies and
shop chemicals that minimize environmental impact.
Paul Magro will talk about chemical and pesticide safety.
Carl Osterhaus, The Toro Company, will discuss diesel engine performance
and troubleshooting procedures and will present a seminar on effective shop
layout
Dr. Lane Tredway, North Carolina State University, is an up and coming star in
the field of plant pathology. He studied under Dr. Bruce Clark at Rutgers
University. Dr. Tredway will be speaking on phosphate products for disease
control and stress management.
Dr. David Shetlar, a.k.a. The Bug Doc, Ohio State University, will speak on
multiple target principles to maximize golf course insect control.
Dr. Eric Watkins, University of Minnesota, will present an update on the 2006
NTEP trials conducted at the TROE Center.
Dr. Brian Horgan, University of Minnesota, will present the results of his
phosphorous runoff study at the TROE Center as it pertains to clipping
management and fertilizer inputs.
John Mascaro will present the live version of his photo quiz that has appeared
in Golf Course Management Magazine since 2002. Stop by and put your turfgrass
knowledge and investigative abilities to the test.
Friday - Pesticide Recertification
Dr. Lane Tredway will discuss an integrated management program for the
prevention and control of foliar and basal rot anthracnose. He will also
present his most recent research on the biology and management of root-infecting
fungi.
Dr. David Shetlar will conduct two seminars, one on the modes of action and
use strategies for the new insecticides on the market and the second on
dealing with nuisance insect pests on the golf course.
As you can see, there should be something of interest for everyone. Please plan
on attending. You won't be disappointed. Hope to see you there!
- Paul Diegnau
Certified Golf Course Superintendent
Keller Golf Course, Maplewood