Frost has arrived, evoking a collective sigh of relief from turf managers and cool-season turfgrasses alike. For most, cool weather (and even snowfall) has been but a dream since early July when Mother Nature began punishing cool-season turfgrasses throughout the Mid-Continent Region, and much of the country for that matter.
As a grueling year comes to a close, conference season moves into full swing and all indications are that meetings will be well attended. Recently, the Central Illinois GCSA enjoyed an audience larger than in recent years at their Annual Education Seminar. The demands brought forth by Mother Nature this summer didn’t allow superintendents much, if any, time away from the golf course. Poor attendance at golf course superintendent chapter meetings resulted, but this should change now with the opportunity to gather for education and camaraderie at a time of year when golf courses are on the mend.
Appropriately, many of the conferences this winter will feature education targeted towards summer survival strategies for cool-season turfgrasses. Given the recent environmental challenges, combined with persisting economic limitations, it would be well worth inviting a course official to attend a conference with you.
To learn more about conferences in your area, contact your local superintendent association or USGA Green Section office. Upcoming conferences for the upper Mid-Continent Region are as follows:
2010
December 7-8
Missouri Green Industry Conference
St. Charles Convention Center, St. Louis, MO
Visit http://www.motoc.org/
December 7-9
Kansas Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show
Kansas Expo Center, Topeka, KS
Visit http://www.ksuturf.com/Conference.html
December 14-15
Heartland Green Industry Expo: “Common Ground” USGA Education Session—Dec. 15, 1:00-4:30 pm
Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Visit http://www.hagcsa.org/commonground.htm
December 14-15
Illinois Turfgrass Foundation Winter Education Days
Midwest Golf House, Lemont, IL
Visit http://illinoisturfgrassfoundation.org/
2011
January 10-12
Nebraska Green Expo
Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs, IA
Visit http://www.nebraskaturfgrass.com/conference.htm
January 18-20
Iowa Turfgrass Conference & Trade Show
Polk County Convention Complex & Marriott Hotel, Des Moines, IA
Visit http://www.iowaturfgrass.org/
February 7-11
GCSAA Education Conference & Golf Industry Show
USGA Green Section Education Program: “Lessons Learned Come in All Forms”—Feb. 11, 10:00 am - Noon
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Visit http://www.gcsaa.org/conference/ and http://www.golfindustryshow.com/
February 22-23
Gateway Green Industry Conference & Trade Show
Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville, Illinois
Visit http://www.hortco-op.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/calendar.detail/event_id/184/index.htm
If you would like more information about a Turf Advisory Service visit, contact either of the Mid-Continent regional offices: Ty McClellan at tmcclellan@usga.org or (630) 340-5853 or Bud White at budwhite@usga.org or (972) 662-1138.