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63rd Annual NTA Conference at Sunriver Resort

The 63rd Annual NTA Conference at Sunriver is October 4-6, 2009. We hope to see you there! The conference has been approved for .7 GCSAA education points.

• Registration and Lodging Procedures
• Conference Schedule & Education
• Conference Sponsorship Opportunities
• Travel Details & Directions
• Golf Details
  
  

Dr. Mike Hindahl’s Legacy Continues
By Tom Cook, Retired

Like many of you, I often find myself thinking of Mike Hindahl and the ongoing impact he has had on the OGCSA, the NTA, and all of the people he met during his time working with the golf industry. Mike’s passion for golf, mellow personality, excellent science background, desire to tackle tough environmental issues, and willingness to donate his time and resources to research moved our organizations off square one and towards the leadership role we have since taken regionally and nationally. The culmination of his efforts as seen in our Environmental Guidelines and in publication of his NTA and GCSAA/EIFG sponsored research (by Dr. Eric Miltner, WSU—Puyallup) in the 2009 International Turfgrass Society Research Journal offer enduring testimony to his efforts. Mike was a special person who landed in the right place at the right time and started a revolution in how we approach our work. Long after our generation of superintendents and researchers are gone, the industry will benefit from Mike's efforts.

Int. Turfgrass Society’s Research Journal—Surface Water Quality Impacts from Golf Course Fertilizer and Pesticide Applications (pdf)

Golf Course Management (June 2009)—“Surface Water Quality Monitoring on Golf Courses in the PNW” (pdf)

WA State Golf Association Hosts On-site Research at The Home Course
By Paul Backman, NTA

The WSGA has been a significant supporter of turfgrass research in the Pacific Northwest. Each year a portion of their member dues goes to the Turfgrass Universities Research Fund (T.U.R.F.), which gives financial support to turfgrass research and education. Since 1996, the WSGA has contributed over $420,000 to research and education—making it the biggest supporter of turfgrass research in our region.

In recent years, the WSGA and Superintendent Kelly Donaldson have taken their support a step further by hosting on-site research at the Home Course. Currently, there are two projects receiving funding from the NTA:

Transitioning to Natural Organic Fertilizers: Turfgrass Response and Potential Impacts on Soil Properties (pdf)

Establishment of Annual, Intermediate and Preliminary Ryegrass Seed in Cold Weather Condition (MS Word doc)

The WSGA’s Executive Director, John Bodenhamer, has provided an update on the “Progress at The Home Course” as they recently marked their 2 year anniversary!

WWGCSA Members Support “Wounded-Warriors”
at the American Lake GC
By Jim Jackson, Superintendent, American Lake GC

The American Lake Veterans Golf Course is a very unique operation. The course is operated, managed and maintained by a volunteer group of 140 people.  We receive no support from the Federal Government. All operation and development comes from the green fees we charge and from donations in monies, equipment, materials and local assistance. Our mission is to provide a venue for the rehabilitation and recreation for our military veterans both retired and wounded who have served us so valiantly and helped maintain the freedoms we all enjoy. What we do is a small measure of all they have sacrificed for us.

One of the most important areas of support is those who help us out when we have special projects that require equipment that we don’t have at our course.  This help is vital to our ongoing operation and we are very thankful for the generous support of all who have been so important to our success.

There are so many who support us and we would like to thank the following for all they have done to help us:

First, we would like to thank Paul Backman, Executive Director of the WWGCSA, for contacting those who volunteered their help and equipment. He was vital to our success.

Next, thank you to the volunteers and donors:

Steve Kealy, Glendale CC
Joel Kachmarek, Tacoma C&GC
Jeff Hilen, Fircrest GC
Chris Goodman, Ridgetop Golf, Inc.
Dr. Eric Miltner and Dr. Gwen Stahnke, WSU—Puyallup
Jay Griswold, Oakbrook G&CC
Bob Maddox, Jackson Park GC
Scott Young, Canterwood G&CC
Kelly Donaldson, The Home Course
Michael White, Olympia G&CC
Carl Taylor & Shawn Frisbee, Western Equipment
Ridgetop, Inc.
Walrath Sand Products
Washington Rock Quarries, Inc.

WSU—Pullman Builds Research Green
By Dr. Bill Johnston, WSU—Pullman

The WSU-Pullman Turfgrass Program is in the process of constructing a second USGA-specification research plot. The plot soon will be seeded with “T-1” bentgrass and research is scheduled to begin this fall. The construction project was possible due to the efforts of Jim Connolly (President, Planet Turf), Brad Hauser (General Manager, Atlas Sand), and Todd Lupke (CGCS, Palouse Ridge Golf Club) who secured the donation of construction materials. The major contribution was sand from Atlas Sand and Rock located in Lewiston ID, whose products are sold exclusively through Planet Turf. Atlas has supplied USGA-specification sand and gravel for the construction of several golf courses in Washington and Idaho and over 30 golf courses are currently using Atlas sand for topdressing; therefore, Atlas sand was a good construction choice for a turfgrass research site in eastern WA.  Planet Turf also provided the Turfgrass Program with physical soil testing through International Sports Turf Research (ISTRC). I would like to recognize Planet Turf, Atlas Sand, Palouse Ridge Golf Club, and Jacklin Seed for their continued support of the WSU-Pullman Turfgrass Program and the future of golf in the Pacific Northwest.