The event of the year
National Turfgrass Foundation
Annual Conference2003-'In Pursuit of Excellence'
A warm welcome from the Trustees
The Trustees of the National Turfgrass Foundation welcomes all delegates to its Annual Conference and thanks those visitors who attended the 2002 conference and who, afterwards, offered constructive comments and suggested presentation topics. Acting on the comments received, you will see that this year's programme is even bigger than before and provides a choice of presentations to best suit your experiences, areas of interest, and technical knowledge.
We have tried to achieve a balance between advanced technical data and topical up-date information. We have prepared a banquet of speakers for those of you with an appetite for information and a thirst for knowledge. Feast yourself on our 'a la Carte' menu or relax with our 'Lighter Bites' menu. Or nibble at each as your fancy takes you! The choice is yours.
TheNational Turfgrass Foundationis administered by a handful of volunteers. There are no paid officers and nobody receives any remuneration for their efforts. A special thanks is extended to those who have so willingly given of their time and energy to make this event happen. TheNational Turfgrass FoundationTrustees also extend their sincere thanks to all their supporters and the companies that have so generously sponsored this assembly of highly prodigious speakers.For further information on the 'In Pursuit of Excellence'Conference or any other of the National Turfgrass Foundation'sactivities, please telephone+44 (0)1995 670675, fax +44 (0)1995 670675, or email NTFoundation@aol.com.
A warm welcome to Southport
A warm welcome awaits you in this historic, elegant resort town, with its pavement cafés, tree-lined boulevards and stunning floral displays. Known as the 'Paris of the North', the town was home to the young Louis Napoleon during his exile from France. When he became Emperor of France in 1851, he approved plans to replace much of the medieval centre of Paris with broad tree-lined boulevards, covered walkways and arcades - much like Southport's chic Lord Street, home to an outstanding collection of specialist shops, high street names and department stores.Pick up a free copy of the 'Collector's Southport'guide, available from Tourist Information Services and many hotel receptions, for details on the town's specialist shops dealing in everything from antiquarian books to art deco, coins and medals to collector's furniture, fossils and shells to stamps - the range is endless.
Full Itinerary
Southport Theatre and Floral Hall Complex, Southport, England
MONDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2003
9.00a.m. - 10.00a.m.-Registration and Tea/Coffee and Biscuits
SESSION 1 - A LA CARTE MENU
10.00a.m. - 10.30a.m.- Welcome and Conference Introduction, Martyn Jones, National Turfgrass Foundation.
10.30a.m. - 10.45a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Bill Murray, President, English Golf Union.
10.45a.m. - 11.30a.m.- Pesticides - Perception versus Reality,Professor Joseph Vargas, Jnr. Michigan State University.
11.30a.m. - 12.15p.m.- Nitrogen Release from Fertilizer Products,Professor 'Al' Turgeon, Pennsylvania State University .
12.15p.m. - 12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m. - 2.00p.m.- LUNCH .
SESSION 2 - A LA CARTE MENU
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address,Dr Gordon McKillop , Executive Director, Sports Turf Research Institute.
2.00p.m. - 2.45p.m.- Infiltration and Water Movement through Soils, Professor Peter Leeds-Harrison, Cranfield University.
2.45p.m. - 3.30p.m.- Nematodes: Are they a Major Turfgrass Pest in Temperate Regions? Dr Roger Cook, Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.
3.30p.m. - 4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits .
4.00p.m. - 4.45p.m.- Soil Microbiology - The Good and the Bad, Dr Mike Boehm , Ohio State University.
4.45p.m. - 5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
ALTERNATIVE MENU FOR MONDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 3 - LIGHTER BITES MENU
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address,Mr Andrew Campbell, MG, CGCS, Vice-Chairman, BIGGA.
2.00p.m. - 2.45p.m.- Persuasive Presentations - Getting your Message Across,Mr Frank Newberry, Freelance Consultant, Enjoyable Seminars Limited.
2.45p.m. - 3.30p.m.- Three Decades in Golf Course Management- An evolutionary learning process, Mr Kerran Daly, MG. Course Manager,Gog Magog Golf Club, Cambridgeshire.
3.30p.m. - 4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m. - 4.45p.m.- Irrigation Systems and the Drive for Efficiency,Mr Andy Brown, Corporate Accounts Manager (Europe) & Irrigation Sales Manager (UK & Ireland), Toro Ltd.
4.45p.m. - 5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion .
SESSION 4 - SUPPER MENU- Venue is in the 'Windsor Suite' at thePrince of Wales Hotel.
8.00 p.m.- Session Chairman, Mr Alex Richter, Richter Rasen Ltd.
'Golf Greenkeeping Throughout the World'
What are the differences in golf course management practices throughout the World? Learn how your colleagues in other countries maintain their courses. How does your staffing levels compare? How does your budget look alongside others? Have you ever wondered what it must be like looking after a course in sweltering heat or freezing cold? This is an opportunity to get your questions answered. A panel of golf course managers from a variety of countries will open the discussion by relating some of their own experiences.
TUESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 5 - A LA CARTE MENU
9.00a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Eddie Seaward, Head Groundsman, All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon.
9.30a.m.-10.00a.m.- Sports Field Drainage: Design and Practice, Dr Richard Earl, Technical Director, TurfTrax Group Limited.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m.- Uptake and Mobility of Nutrients in Turf grasses, Dr James Macduff , Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m.- Composting as a Management Tool, Dr Mike Boehm, Ohio State University.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m.-2.00p.m.- LUNCH.
SESSION 6 - A LA CARTE MENU
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address,Mr Melvin B. Lucas, Jnr. CGCS, Past President, Golf Course Superintendent's Association of America.
2.00p.m. - 2.45p.m.- Formulating an Effective Integrated Pest Management Strategy for Golf, Professor Joseph Vargas Jnr. Michigan State University
2.45p.m. - 3.30p.m.- UK Golf Green Construction Specification , Dr Stephen Baker, Sports Turf Research Institute, Bingley.
3.30p.m. - 4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m. - 4.45p.m.- Aeration: Helping Roots and Microbes Breath,Dr Alan Gange,University of London, Royal Holloway.
4.45p.m. - 5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
ALTERNATIVE MENU FOR TUESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 7 - CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
9.00a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Joseph Bedford, President, Federation of European Golf Greenkeeper Associations.
9.30a.m.-10.00a.m.- Warm-season Turf grasses used in Italy,Mr Paolo Croce, Italian Golf Federation.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m.- Tall Fescue Management in Southern Europe, Dr Adriano Altissimo,Agronomi Associati, Vicenza, Italy.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m.- Warm-season Turfgrass Over seeding with Cool-season Turf grasses, Professor Marco Volterrani, University of Pisa.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m. - 2.00p.m.- LUNCH .
SESSION 8 - LIGHTER BITES MENU
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address, Walter Woods, B.E.M. Past Supervisor of St Andrews Links Trust.
2.00p.m.-2.45p.m.- Construction at the K Club,Mr Gerry Byrne, Superintendent, K Club.
2.45p.m.-3.30p.m.- Presenting a Professional Image- Is it the real you or just a front? Mr Duncan McGilvray, Course Manager, Potters Bar Golf Club.
3.30p.m.-4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m.-4.45p.m.- Creation of a Traditional Links Course at Kingsbarn, Mr Stuart McColm, Head Greenkeeper, Kingsbarn G.C.
4.45p.m.-5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
WEDNESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 9 - SPECIALITY OF THE DAY - GOLF GREENKEEPING
9.00a.m- Chairman's Address, Mr Jack McMillan MBE, Consultant, McMillan & Shiels Ltd.
9.30a.m.-10.00a.m.- Minimizing Water Usage on Golf Courses, Mr Stanley Zontek, Director Mid-Atlantic Section, USGA Green Section.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m- Turfgrass Evaluation Using Digital Image Analysis, Dr Ingo Rademacher , University of Bonn.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.-Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m.-In-house Bunker Design and Construction, Mr Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs Ltd.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.-Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m.-2.00p.m.- LUNCH.
SESSION 10 - SPECIALITY OF THE DAY - GOLF GREENKEEPING
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address,Mr Stanley Zontek, United States Golf Association.
2.00p.m.-2.45p.m.- Methods and Importance of Achieving Topdressing/Rootzone Compatibility on Golf Greens, Mr Martyn T. Jones, National Turfgrass Foundation and Mr. Peter Jefford, Rufford Topdressing Ltd.
2.45p.m.-3.30p.m.- Soil Microbiology - Why use Biostimulants? Dr Alan Gange, University of London, Royal Holloway.
3.30p.m.-4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m.-4.45p.m.- Advanced Laboratory Methods as Guides to Course Management, Mr William Byrnes, MSc, President, Floratine Products Group.
4.45p.m.-5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
ALTERNATIVE MENU FOR WEDNESDAY 5th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 11 - SPECIALITY OF THE DAY - GROUNDSMANSHIP
9.00a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Alex Vickers, Cranfield University at Silsoe.
9.30a.m.-9.45a.m.- Optimisation of Sand Slit Design and Improved Efficiency of Surface Water Drainage, Laurence Gale, Cranfield University at Silsoe.
9.45a.m.-10.00a.m.- A Comparison of Life Cycle Costs between Natural and Artificial Pitches, Andrew McLeod, Cranfield University at Silsoe.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m.- The Fun of Winter Sports Maintenance, Mr Keith Kent, RFU, Twickenham and Mr Steve Patrick, Blackburn Rovers F. C.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m- The Use of Electrokinetic Geosynthetics for Conditioning Sports Turf , Dr John Lamont-Black , Newcastle upon Tyne University.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m.-2.00p.m.- LUNCH.
SESSION 12 - SPECIALITY OF THE DAY - GROUNDSMANSHIP
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address,Mr David Saltman, Director, Pitchcare.com.
2.00p.m.-2.45p.m.- Research Projects at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, Wimbledon, Mr Eddie Seaward , Head Groundsman, All England Lawn Tennis Club.
2.45p.m.-3.30p.m.- Designing Rootzones for Different Sports, Professor L. 'Bert' McCarty, Clemson University, South Carolina.
3.30p.m.-4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m.-4.45p.m.- Interpretation of Soil Analyses , Mr Alex Vickers, Cranfield University at Silsoe and Ms Kym Toyne, MSc., Sports Surfaces Technologist, Rufford Topdressing Ltd.
4.45p.m.-5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
GALA BANQUET
Wednesday 5th November at 7.30p.m.
Featuring 'COMPLETE MADNESS' : a top-class tribute band of the chart-topping 80's group. £30.00 optional (please refer to your booking form). Dress: Lounge Suits
THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 13 - A LA CARTE MENU
9.00a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Gordon Moir, Links Supervisor, St Andrews Links Trust.
9.30a.m.-10.00a.m.- Course Management Insights of an American Greenkeeper , Mr Matt Shaffer, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Operations, Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m.- Water Movement through the Plant Atmospheric System , Professor 'Al' Turgeon, Pennsylvania State University.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m.- Fate of Fertilisers and Pesticides Applied on Turfs,Dr. Panayiotis Nektarios, Agricultural University of Athens.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m. - 2.00p.m.- LUNCH.
SESSION 14 - A LA CARTE MENU
2.00p.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Andrew Campbell, Vice Chairman, British & International Golf Green keeper's Association.
2.00p.m.-2.45p.m.- American Golf versus British Golf, Mr Robert Trent Jones Jnr. Golf Course Architect, R. T. Jones Golf Designs.
2.45p.m.-3.30p.m.- Maximizing Green Speed whilst Minimizing Damage, Professor L. B. 'Bert' McCarty, Clemson University, South Carolina.
3.30p.m.-4.00p.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
4.00p.m.-4.45p.m.- British Golf versus American Golf, Mr Howard Swan, Swan Golf Designs Ltd.
4.45p.m.-5.15p.m.- Questions from the Floor and Discussion.
ALTERNATIVE MENU FOR THURSDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2003
SESSION 15 - LIGHTER BITES MENU
9.00a.m.- Chairman's Address, Mr Eddie Donlon,President, Golf Course Superintendent's Association of Ireland.
9.30a.m.-10.00a.m.- Experiencing a Student Internship in the United States of America,Ms Wendy O'Brien, Assistant Course Manager, Carden Park Golf Resort, Cheshire.
10.00a.m.-10.45a.m.- Construction at Queenwood G.C. Mr Ian McMillan, Course Manager, Queenwood G.C.
10.45a.m.-11.15a.m.- Tea/Coffee and Biscuits.
11.15a.m.-12.00p.m.- Results of a Pests and Disease Survey,Dr Ruth Mann, Sports Turf Research Institute.
12.00p.m.-12.30p.m.- Questions from the Floor.
12.30p.m.-2.00p.m.- LUNCH.
If you would like to attend part or all of this series of seminars please contact the National Turfgrass Foundation by post: 41 Pennine Way, Great Eccleston, Preston, England, PR3 0YS. By telephone or facsimile + 44 (0)1995 670675 or by E-mail:NTFoundation@aol.com.