NGL’s 2010 educational symposium offered a great line-up of speakers for our attendees. Dr Joe Vargas, Professor of plant pathology at Michigan State University was the headline speaker of the day. Dr. Vargas spoke on the state-of-the-art concepts of turfgrass disease resistance to systemic fungicides. His second presentation offered suggestions on how to manage healthy Creeping Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass through sound cultural practices. In addition to some great information, Dr. Vargas will be most remembered from this symposium for his very entertaining Elvis impersonation during our evening hospitality room social event.
Other speakers throughout the day included Dr. Jim Kerns of UW-Madison who also followed up on some of his Snow Mold research work. Most notable was the efficacy of certain products depending on the geographic location where they are applied. Dr. John Stier, also of UW-Madison, gave a very eye-opening talk on the usefulness and utility of buffer strips as they relate to golf course water quality. The final speaker of the day was Bob Vavrek of the USGA Green Section staff who regaled the crowd with his 2009 year-in-review account of his experiences on the road throughout the Northwest region.
Attendance numbers for this event were very close to what they were in 2009. The Board of Directors are pleased with the raffle and silent auction results where the proceeds will again be used to help fund our 2010 continuing research donations.
Plans are already being made to organize the 2011 Symposium for March 1st ad 2nd of next year. Mark your calendars now and if you have any suggestions regarding speakers please forward them through our website.
December Highlights
The Annual meeting was held on Tuesday, December 1st at Pine Grove Country Club. The annual Financial Report was submitted.
Discussion topics included:
Expenses for the coming year
Symposium updates
Committee assignments
Website job postings
The results of the election of the 2010 Board of Directors are:
President: Glen Rochester
Vice President: Dan Belland
Secretary: Steve Spears
Treasurer: Randy Swonger
Members at large include: Joe Deschler, Jay Pritzl, Ken Smith, Kurt Stromquist, Scott Thompson and Rich Victorson.
Dan Belland will continue as our Chapter Delegate to the GCSAA.
