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2011 Turfgrass Symposium: Saving your greens in times of darkness |
| University of Guelph student-run event this Friday offers education, advice and networking opportunities |
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GUELPH, Ontario (November 23, 2011)--Turf managers in Ontario are under increasing pressure due to declines in the golf business, rising economic pressures and public disclosure requirements in 2012. To help turf managers deal with these pressures and provide educational and networking opportunities, the University of Guelph's first year Turfgrass Management students present their annual symposium on Friday, November 25 at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ontario. There is no cost to attend. Themed Saving Your Greens in Times of Darkness, the symposium will feature experts discussing major issues in the turf industry such as the 2012 public disclosure requirements for golf courses about their pesticide use, how economic pressures are affecting agronomy, and they will take a critical look at integrated pest management (IPM) practices. "Turf professionals in Southern Ontario cannot afford to miss this event. The symposium will be one of the major events of the year for professionals in the turfgrass industry and anyone interested in turf practices," said Robert Witherspoon, Director of the Guelph Turfgrass Institute and the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management at the University of Guelph. Keynote speaker John Bladon of the Chimera Group will deliver his highly regarded "Agronomy vs. Economy" presentation, which includes advice on improving efficiency and saving money. The symposium will offer a workshop to help participants prepare for the upcoming 2012 pesticide disclosure requirements and public meetings. The workshop will be hosted by Violet Van Wassenaer, an IPM specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Environment; turfgrass specialist Pam Charbonneau with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and golf communications expert Tim O'Connor, President of O'Connor Golf Communications. Another panel of experts will evaluate IPM on its scientific merits and its effectiveness in plant health care. The experts will gauge the possible benefits that IPM may present to turf managers. The panel will be hosted by four renowned experts: Dr. Katerina Jordan, Associate Professor, Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph; Marc Brooks, Superintendent at Stone Tree Golf and Fitness Club in Owen Sound, Ontario; Dr. Cameron Harrington, Research Scientist, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada, Inc., and Rhod Trainor, Superintendent at Hamilton Golf & Country Club, host of the 2012 Canadian Open. "The students have done a first-class job in organizing an event that will be highly educational, a great networking opportunity and an engaging exchange of ideas among leading academics, industry leaders and acclaimed golf course superintendents," said Tim O'Connor, whose communications class is presenting the symposium. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., and speakers beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by lunch, and opportunities to network. To RSVP or obtain more information, email us at guelphturf@gmail.com, and visit our website at www.guelphturf.com. For sales and sponsorship opportunities, and information for donations, please email kitchen@uoguelph.ca. Executive Committee Tim O'Connor |
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