NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TURFGRASS FOUNDATION INC.

In 1996, the New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation was formed through the cooperation of the seven Golf Course Superintendent Associations within the New England Region, along with the New England Sports Turf Managers Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals. By Combining their efforts, and interest in the Science of Turfgrass Management, the Foundation's goal is to service all of the Turfgrass industry within the New England Region. Golf Course Superintendents, Lawncare Professionals, Sport Turf Managers, as well as Cemetery Grounds Managers, Park and Recreation Personnel and Landscapers all can benefit.

In just three years, The New England Regional Turfgrass Conference and Show has grown to be the second largest Regional Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show in the country. More than 2300 Turfgrass Professionals attended the three days of activities at the Rhode Island Convention Center in March of 2000. Proceeds are to be applied to Turfgrass Education and Research Studies in the New England Region.

The rich history of Turfgrass Research and Education in the New England Region speaks for itself. Servicing the Turfgrass Industry long before Francis Ouimet ever walked the fairways of The County Club in Brookline or the Boston Red Sox ever thought of winning the World Series at Fenway.

The University of Rhode Island’s C. Richard Skogley Research Facility is the oldest Turfgrass Research facility in the United States. Many improvements including new Turfgrass Species Development, Disease Identification and Management Strategies as well as product Evaluations were done over the years at the University’s Facility.

The University of Massachusetts has equally benefited the Turfgrass Industry through its Education and Research Programs. The long list of Alumni who have attended the UMass Winter School and 2-year Turfgrass Management Programs are not only scattered throughout the Country, but over the world. Recently, students from 5 countries attended the winter school. It continues to be a popular choice among those seeking a Turfgrass Management Education.

The long running UMass Turfgrass Conference ran continuously for more than 60 years and was a huge support to the industry for so many. The future of the turfgrass industry in New England continues to look as favorable as it's past. Through Education and Research, Turfgrass Professionals are better able to handle their day to day challenges, they can understand better how they must play a part in protecting the environment, and also how they can become better managers in order to provide the best playing conditions they can with the budgets they are provided with. With responsible research and education these things can be accomplished.

It is the hope of the Foundation that the future of the Turfgrass Institutions in the New England Region will continue to support the needs of the Industry through Turfgrass Research, Education, and Extension. The New England Regional Turfgrass Foundation and its Board of Directors has vowed its support to Regional Research and Education in New England. In the year 2000, the Foundation has committed over $135,000 in Research Funding support at the Universities of MA, NH and RI. As significant as this support is there is still much more that can and needs to be done.

We hope that you will join with us in supporting these invaluable programs for our Industry.