Winning education

Golf course superintendents and sports turf professionals have new education opportunities at GIE+EXPO. The Golf and Sports Turf Management Conference, hosted by the Kentucky Turfgrass Council, is taking place Thursday and Friday during the annual tradeshow.

“This is our first year partnering with GIE+EXPO,” says Paul Hoarston, organizer of the conference and Class A Golf Superintendent at Ryland Lakes Country Club in Kentucky. “We just have a dynamic lineup of education. That’s something GIE+EXPO didn’t have in the past specifically geared to golf or sports turf.”

Superintendents and sports turf managers nationwide are invited to participate in the conference. Full conference registration includes 2017 KTC membership, Thursday’s awards ceremony and annual KTC business meeting luncheon, a welcome reception, Friday’s vendor breakfast, the half-day golf or sports turf session on Thursday and Friday’s general session, as well as admission to the tradeshow.

“I think superintendents and sports turf managers will be blown away by the entire GIE+EXPO experience,” says Golf Course Industry publisher Pat Jones, who will serve as the moderator for the golf education session on Thursday. “The trade show is actually larger than the Golf Industry Show and STMA show combined and there’s nothing like the outdoor demo area at any regular turf show you might attend.”

Jones added he is excited to host two legends – John Zimmers of Oakmont CC and Jeff Corcoran of Oak Hill CC – for the golf educational event.

“John and Jeff are unquestionably two of the smartest guys in our business and getting their experience and perspective at an event like this is amazing,” Jones says. “On top of that, Sam Green of Aqua Aid, is a legendary turf manager in his own right who now is focused on bringing new technologies to golf. It’s going to be a terrific session.”

Golf sessions

Thursday, Oct. 20, 8:30 a.m. – noon: The story of Oakmont Country Club's restoration and hosting USGA Championships

John Zimmers, golf course superintendent, Oakmont Country Club

Effective water management for agronomic programs

Sam Green, chief operating officer, Aqua Aid Incorporated

Evolution of a golf course: A superintendent's perspective

Jeff Corcoran, manager of golf courses and grounds, Oak Hill Country Club

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

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

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, Toledo Mud Hens

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

Groundskeeping abroad and making events work on fields at all levels

Luke Yoder, national sports field specialist for Ewing

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.