LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals will have new education opportunities at GIE+EXPO 2016 (Green Industry & Equipment Expo). The Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference, hosted by the Kentucky Turfgrass Council, will take place Thursday and Friday, October 20-21 at the Kentucky Exposition Center during the annual tradeshow. GIE+EXPO draws more than 18,000 participants to see the latest innovations and attend first-rate education programs.
Thursday's programs will offer golf sessions in the morning and sports turf sessions in the afternoon, allowing attendees to spend half day in education and half day visiting the trade show. A combined general session is set for Friday morning.
"Our 750 exhibits – indoors and out – include turf management equipment, lawn and garden products, light construction equipment and UTVs, so it's a natural fit for golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals," said Warren Sellers, show director. "With the addition of the conference, GIE+EXPO is their one-stop shop for new products and education."
Golf sessions
Thursday, Oct. 20
8:30 a.m. – noon
Moderator: Pat Jones, publisher and editorial director, GIE Media
The story of Oakmont Country Club's restoration and hosting USGA Championships
John Zimmers, golf course superintendent, Oakmont Country Club
Learn about the restoration of Oakmont Country Club, which hosted its record ninth U.S. Open in 2016, to its original Henry Fownes design. John Zimmers will discuss the restoration of bunkers and ditches in addition to other original architectural features of the golf course. He will also cover the removal of approximately 15,000 trees, as well as topics regarding the hosting of USGA Championships.
Effective water management for agronomic programs
Sam Green, chief operating officer, Aqua Aid Incorporated
Sam Green will provide valuable insights on methods and technologies available to enhance water efficiency, which can lead to a reduction of usage and better conservation and protection of a valuable, essential resource.
Evolution of a golf course: A superintendent's perspective
Jeff Corcoran, manager of golf courses and grounds, Oak Hill Country Club
Jeff Corcoran will discuss the evolution of Oak Hill Country Club's Donald Ross designed East Course and the architectural changes that have been made through the years. He will also detail how those changes influenced the current long-range planning and future championships planned at Oak Hill.
Sports turf sessions
Thursday, Oct. 20
1:30 – 5 p.m.
The principals of sports turf management planning and drainage
Marcus Dean, sports turf manager at University of Kentucky
Marcus Dean will discuss the processes for developing a useful maintenance plan that can be applied to either cool or warm grasses. He will cover weed and disease strategies, aerification, drainage and budgeting. While the focus will be on native soil fields, Marcus will also offer some of the major differences in fields constructed with native soils vs. a sand-based root zone.
Sports turf applications for plant growth retardants and weed control options
Dr. Wesley Totten, chair department of agriculture, geosciences, and natural resources, University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Wesley Totten will cover the history of usage in turf, including sports turf. He will discuss the types and classifications of plant growth retardants, the current usage of plant growth regulators in sports turf situations and current weed control options, including timings and frequencies.
Sports turf panel: All things baseball – The maintenance of baseball/softball fields for skinned and turf areas
Panelists:
Tom Nielsen, head groundskeeper, Louisville Bats Baseball Club
Thomas Trotter, head groundskeeper, Nashville Sounds Baseball Club
Jake Tyler, turf manager, Toldeo Mud Hens
Each panel member will open with a brief discussion highlighting one maintenance task that all sports turf managers face. Topics will include repairing the mounds and home plate; fertility and repair of the turf areas; and grooming and maintenance of the skinned areas. After addressing questions on these topics, the panel will expand on other critical issues, such as turf areas, fertility, weed control, construction of mounds, skinned areas and warning track. They will also address qualities they look for in employees, budgeting and management of staff.
General session
Friday, Oct. 21
9 – 11 a.m.
World of turf...Turf managers around the world have many tools in their toolbox to build their agronomic programs
Sam Green, chief operating officer, Aqua Aid Incorporated
This session will provide a whirlwind tour from all areas of the world with examples of different approaches to the management of turf. From equipment and staffing to problem solving, Sam Green will discuss a multitude of diverse problems and issues and share the unique and creative solutions used to solve them.
Groundskeeping abroad and making events work on fields at all levels
Luke Yoder, national sports field specialist for Ewing
Luke Yoder will discuss his experiences working on professional fields in Korea, Sweden and the Dominican Republic. These experiences include new field construction, field renovation and teaching best maintenance practices working with what they have. The discussion will also include tips and methods for hosting up to 100 events per year while still maintaining a field up to MLB standards for 81 home games.
Pre-registration is required for the Golf and Sports Turf Management sessions. The fee for each Thursday session is $99. Friday's session is $89. Registration for GIE+EXPO is $15 by September 8; $30 September 9 – October 16 and $60 thereafter. For information or to register: www.gie-expo.com.
