Welcome to the
November 10–12, 2015 • Nittany Lion Inn • State College, PA
Presented by The Pennsylvania State University
in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
8:00 a.m. Pre-Conference Seminar
1:00 p.m. Afternoon Session
4:30 p.m. Job Fair
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
9:00 a.m. Morning Session
12:00 p.m. Turf Club Luncheon
2:00 p.m. Afternoon Session
2:45 p.m.PTC Update & Distinguished Service Award
3:00 p.m.Winterkill Roundtable Discussion
4:00 p.m. Open Reception
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
9:00 a.m. Morning Session
11:00 a.m. Conference Adjourns
SPECIAL EVENTS & SESSIONS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Pre-Conference SEMINAR
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Poa Research Potpourri: Economics, Suppression
Programs and Bentgrass Transition Considerations
Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University
JOB FAIR
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Boardroom, Lower Level, Nittany Lion Inn
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10
Pre-Conference Seminar
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MUST BE PRE-REGISTERED, $75.
Poa Research Potpourri: Economics, Suppression
Programs and Bentgrass Transition Considerations
Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University
(GCSAA educational points and pesticide credits for
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio will be available.)
Conference Registration Opens
10:00 a.m.
Atrium, Nittany Lion Inn
AFTERNOON SESSION
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session Chair: Dr. Andy McNitt, Penn State University
1:00 p.m.The Year in Review (Weather Included)
Mr. Darin Bevard, USGA Green Section
Mr. Herb Stevens, Grass Roots Weather
2:00 p.m.Application of Plant Defense
Activation Technology in
Turfgrass Health Management
Dr. Wakar Uddin, Penn State University
Break
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
2:30 p.m.
Turf Club Luncheon
2:45 p.m.Annual Bluegrass Seedhead Suppression
Mr. Jeffrey Borger, Penn State University
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Boardroom, Lower Level, Nittany Lion Inn
(Ticket required)
Sponsored by SynaTek
PTC UPDATE AND PRESENTATION
of distinguished service award
2:45 p.m.
Mr. Jason Hurwitz, Fox Chapel Country Club
Special presentation —
Winterkill: Roundtable Discussion
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University
Mr. Jason Hurwitz, Fox Chapel Golf Club
Mr. Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak Country Club
Mr. Patrick Michener, Country Club of York
OPEN RECEPTION
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Atrium, Nittany Lion Inn
Sponsored by Genesis Turfgrass
and OnGolf
3:15 p.m.
Making Technology in Turf
Work for You!
Mr. Bill Brown, Turf Republic
(GCSAA educational points and pesticide credits for
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio will be available.)
JOB FAIR
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Boardroom, Lower Level, Nittany Lion Inn
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Conference Registration Opens
8:00 a.m.
Atrium, Nittany Lion Inn
Coffee sponsored by Moghu USA
Morning Session
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Session Chair: Dr. Maxim Schlossberg, Penn State University
9:00 a.m.
What Is Sustainable
Turfgrass Management?
Mr. David Oatis, USGA Green Section
9:30 a.m.
Planning Your Next Major Renovation
Mr. Andrew Green, Green Golf and Turf
10:15 a.m.
Break
10:30 a.m.
Comparing Species Options
for Low-Input Fairways
in the Cool-Humid Region
Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University
11:15 a.m.
Cultural and Chemical Warfare:
the Age-Old Battle Between
Anthracnose and Annual Bluegrass
Dr. Joseph Roberts, University of Maryland
Turf Club Luncheon
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Boardroom, Lower Level, Nittany Lion Inn
(Ticket required)
Sponsored by SynaTek
Afternoon Session
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Session Chair:Dr. Benjamin McGraw,
Penn State University
Creamery Ice Cream sponsored by Helena
2:00 p.m.
Preparing for a Senior Major
Mr. Joshua Cook, Oak Tree National
2:45 p.m.
PTC Update and Presentation of
Distinguished Service Award
Mr. Jason Hurwitz, Past PTC President and Fox Chapel Golf Club
3:00 p.m.
Winterkill: Roundtable Discussion
Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University
Mr. Jason Hurwitz, Fox Chapel Golf Club
Mr. Gino Marchetti, Glen Oak Country Club
Mr. Patrick Michener, Country Club of York
(GCSAA educational points and pesticide credits for
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio will be available.)
Open Reception
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Atrium, Nittany Lion Inn
Food and drink tickets provided.
Sponsored by Genesis Turfgrass
and OnGolf
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Conference Registration Opens
8:00 a.m.
Atrium, Nittany Lion Inn
Coffee sponsored by Finch Services
Morning Session
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Session Chair: Dr. Peter Landschoot, Penn State University
9:00 a.m.
Long-Term Effects of Foliar
and Granular Fertilization Programs
on Turfgrass Performanace
Dr. Kevin Frank, Michigan State University
10:00 a.m.
Bacterial Diseases of Creeping
Bentgrass and Annual Bluegrass
Putting Greens
Dr. Joseph Roberts, University of Maryland
(GCSAA educational points and pesticide credits for
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio will be available.)
Conference Concludes
11:00 a.m.
Next year’s Golf Turf Conference —
November 15–17, 2016
OUR PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR PRESENTER
Cale Bigelow, Ph.D. • Purdue University
Cale Bigelow is a professor at Purdue University, specializing in Turf Science and Ecology.
He is originally from the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is heavily involved
in undergraduate instruction and advising. His applied research program involves the
evaluation of warm- and cool-season turfgrass species and cultivars, nutrient management
and soil related problems in fine turf areas, as well as management programs utilizing plant
growth regulators for recreational turf areas.
ABOUT OUR PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR
Poa Research Potpourri:
Economics, Suppression Programs and Bentgrass Transition Considerations
The overall goal of this seminar is to inform golf course managers about the information necessary to manage their putting
green surfaces in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. This seminar will provide an overview of the
major strengths and weaknesses of annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass when grown as a dominant putting green
species. It will outline and provide an economic comparison of the two species and the nuances of managing each using
seasonal maintenance calendars. We will cover research information regarding annual bluegrass suppression programs,
such as those including the use of plant growth regulators and nutritional programs, conducted in the cool-humid region.
Additionally, it will provide comparative performance data for many of the newer commercially available bentgrass cultivars
relative to prior generations. The focus of the seminar will be on seasonal stand persistence and reduced pesticide inputs.
For those wishing to introduce new and improved turfgrass species genetics, possible renovation strategies will be discussed.
OUR CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
Mr. Darin Bevard
Director of Championship
Agronomy
United States
Golf Association
Glen Mills, PA
Dr. Cale Bigelow
Professor of Agronomy
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Mr. Jeffrey Borger
Senior Instructor
in Turfgrass Weed
Management
Penn State University
University Park, PA
Mr. Bill Brown, CGCS
Founder/CEO
Turf Republic
Kennett Square, PA
Mr. Joshua Cook
Superintendent
Oak Tree National Golf Club
Edmond, OK
Dr. Kevin Frank
Associate Professor
and Extension
Turf Specialist
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
Mr. Andrew Green
President
Green Golf and Turf
Forest Hill, MD
Mr. Jason Hurwitz
Golf Course
Superintendent
Fox Chapel Golf Club
Pittsburgh, PA
Mr. Gino Marchetti
Superintendent
Glen Oak Country Club
Clarks Summit, PA
Mr. Patrick Michener
Green and Grounds
Superintendent
Country Club of York
York, PA
Mr. David Oatis
Director, Northeast
USGA Green Section
United States Golf Assn.
Easton, PA
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
Dr. Joseph Roberts
Assistant Professor of
Turfgrass Pathology
University of Maryland
College Park, MD
Mr. Herb Stevens
Owner
Grass Roots Weather
Providence, RI
Dr. Wakar Uddin
Professor of Plant
Pathology
Penn State University
University Park, PA