2024 Conference coming March 5th - 7th, 2024
2023 Seminar Descriptions
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
1. Tree Pests and Giving a Good Start for Trees on the Golf Course*
8am-10am • ¼-Day Seminar - 0.20 GCSAA Education Points • NE Pest Credits: 2-3A
Instructor: Dr. John Ball, South Dakota State University
Maintaining trees in good health requires knowledge and vigilance as trees become susceptible to various pests on branches infested with tiny aphids or spider mites way above the ground, and other pests under the bark on trunks old trees in the northeast. Many trees have been lost to insects like Asian Long-horned Beetles, Emerald Ash borer, and Pine Wilt among other lethal threats. Manage trees at your facility to keep them in good health, manage the tree pests to keep them at bay so they cannot do major damage. Spray techniques, fertility, pest management materials and application timing will all be discussed in this 2-hour seminar.
2. In House Drainage
8am-12pm • 1⁄2-Day Seminar – 0.35 GCSAA Education Points
Instructors: Mr. Stephen Ami and Mr. John Kelly, Kelly Ami Inc, Montreal, Quebec, CAN
Not all golf courses have the budget to hire contractors for drainage projects. This seminar will be a practical course on how to plan and install drainage projects with in- house staff. Learn to identify the nature of drainage problems and how to select the right materials to solve your facility’s drainage challenges.
3. Plant Growth Regulators for Fine Cool-Season Turf
8am-12noon • ½-Day Seminar - 0.35 GCSAA Education Points • NE Pest Credits: 4
Instructor: Dr. William Kreuser, Turfgrade, LLC, Lincoln, NE
This seminar will cover plant growth regulators (PGRs) for use on cool-season turf. Attendees will learn the different classes for PGR’s and how they work to affect cool- season turf growth. Instruction will also include how and when to use PGR’s for improving turf health, while avoiding negative consequences of PGR overuse. The latest research findings will be emphasized including PGR combinations, putting green performance, annual bluegrass control and growth regulation from DMI fungicides.
4. A Crash Course for Closet Meteorologists
8am-12noon • ½-Day Seminar - 0.35 GCSAA Education Points • NE Pest Credits: 4
Instructors: (Mr. Herb Stevens and Mr. Garrett Bastardi, (T3 & Grass Roots Weather
Being able to decipher weather information will help your turf management. Herb and Garrett will instruct attendees in three areas of weather prediction: 1. Radar, 2. Reading Clouds, and Understanding Computer Modeling all with the hope of helping turfgrass managers to make management decisions that could save them fertilizer or pest control applications being done under the wrong weather conditions.
5. Tips to Build a Weed Management Program for Your Facility
8am-12noon • ½-Day Seminar - 0.35 GCSAA Education Points • NE Pest Credits: 4
Instructor: Dr. Jim Brosnan, University of Tennessee/Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutgers University
Developing an effective weed control program is a skill that has become increasingly important for golf course superintendents to be successful. This seminar will assist attendees to think programmatically and explain various practices to build an effective weed program at their New England facility. Attendees will develop a better understanding of when it is timely to integrate herbicide applications and what suitable cultural practices can be added to your facility that will minimize weed infestations. Maximize your weed control programs by rotating herbicide modes of action to prevent herbicide resistance. New herbicides will be discussed.
6. Help Wanted!
10am-12noon • ¼-Day Seminar - 0.20 GCSAA Education Points
Instructor: Mr. Tyler Bloom, Tyler Bloom Consulting, Nescopeck, PA
Labor continues to be a top issue in the golf industry, and how to attract good quality employees is equally problematic. Explore different solutions for staff succession planning to create a viable and sustainable employee development program at your facility. Learn how to leverage industry career opportunities, use simple recruiting methods and materials for those in high school. Learn how it can be important to form relationships with local school administration and school officials. Use opportunities for local education advancements and certifications to boost employee development and retention.
.
7. Pruning Trees for Turf
NE Pest Credit: 1 • 1pm-3pm • ¼ -Day Seminar - 0.20 GCSAA Education Points
Instructors: Dr. John Ball, South Dakota State University
Golf Courses and parks have maintained many areas where trees have been established for a long time. Keeping a tree healthy and safe will include periodic analysis and removal of dead or dying material in trees and forests. Trees also are integrated into the turf areas and could be causing shade, litter and competition for the turf reducing the playability and quality of the turf. Proper pruning, tree placement and root pruning may all be factors to be incorporated to encourage better turf.
8. Better Ingredients, Better Turf
1pm-3pm • ¼-Day Seminar -0.20 GCSAA Education Points • NE Pest Credits: 2
Instructor: Dr. Cale Bigelow, Purdue University
There are numerous cool-season grasses used for golf turf, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Modern turfgrass managers work toward being better environmental stewards and to combat the public perception that managed turf is environmentally harmful. Turf breeders continue to develop new grasses and varieties that require fewer inputs. Attendees will discuss pros and cons of new cool season turfgrass breeds specifically for reduced inputs. Learning to properly select cultivars has proven to utilize less fertilizer, chemicals, and water. Discussion will also include management strategies and practices to achieve desired improvement outcomes with cool season turfgrasses.
9. The Art and Science of Team Building, Performance, Management and Giving Effective Feedback
1pm-5pm • ½-Day Seminar - 0.35 GCSAA Education Points
Instructor: Ms. Jodie Cunningham, Optimus Talent Partners LLC, Linville, NC
Most business problems are people problems. Lack of motivation, disengagement and poor fit will spread quicker than pythium in August and will impact your team’s productivity – and ultimately your turf. This workshop will be dealing with the lifecycle of your people by reviewing Human Resources basics, digging deep into the challenges that facilities have and sharing best practices to build strong teams. Topics discussed will include recruiting, interviewing, and selecting new employees. Onboarding, training, coaching, feedback, and promotion will also be discussed.
10. Deep Dive Into Poa
NE Pest Credits: 4 • 1pm-5pm • ½-Day Seminar - 0.35 GCSAA Education Points
Instructor: Dr. Jim Brosnan, University of Tennessee/Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutgers University
For some Poa annua has been ranked the most troublesome turfgrass weed. For others in the northeast Poa greens are the standard. Drs. Brosnan and Elmore will discuss an overview of the biology of Poa and how disease management strategies could affect Poa Annua management on different areas of a golf course. The presentation will include discussing Poa’s biotypes, an update on how herbicide resistance can develop and management strategies, and the future management of Poa.
11. How and Why to Manage Organic Matter on Putting Greens
NE Pest Credits: 2 • 3pm-5pm • ¼-Day Seminar – 0.20 GCSAA Education Points
Instructor: Dr. Roch Gaussoin, University of Nebraska Lincoln
Managing organic matter is a course-by-course issue depending on many factors. If green performance is a local concern, looking into organic matter amounts could be crucial to improving them. Dr. Gaussoin will explain different levels of organic matter, how you can sample and determine your facility’s OM content and how to manage organic matter levels to improve your green’s performance level all helping to reduce dependence on other products such as fertilizer and pesticides.
12. New Fungicide Options: Are They Any Better and How Do They Fit with My Facility BMP Plans? 3pm-5pm • ¼-Day Seminar – 0.20 GCSAA Education Points
Instructor: Dr. John Inguagiato, University of Connecticut
Fungicides are important to the success of the golf industry and new fungicides continue to help fill its needs as new and old problems are challenging budgets and golf course personnel. Dr. Inguagiato will look at efficacy, the spectrum of activity and the safety to the turf of new fungicides. BMP’s will also be discussed concerning disease control and which fungicides will provide the best opportunities to maximize your BMP program.