NTF Conference well underway

Editorin Industry News

National Turfgrass Foundation

Annual Conference 2003 -'In Pursuit of Excellence'

Floral Hall Complex, Southport - 3 - 6 November

I can report that the conference is well underway, with visitors from all over Europe taking the opportunity to hear some of the sports turf industry's most respected experts. The organisers have managed to achieve a good balance between advanced technical data and topical up-to-date information.

The innovative programme works very well with what is described as a banquet of speakers, and the option tofeast on the 'a la Carte' menu or relax with a 'Lighter Bites' menu.

And, of course, the presence of the Pitchcare Cybercafe at the event can do nothing but whet the appetite even more!

Day visitors are welcomed so, with two days remaining, there is still plenty of opportunity to come along and gain further knowledge from the best in the industry.

For further information contact Louis Clegg on 07879 015921. And don't forget to come and see me at the Cybercafe.


Programme:

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.

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