One-Day Seminars
.7 education points, $150 member, $225 nonmember
Advanced Management of Warm-Season Turfgrass Insect Pests
Rick L. Brandenburg, Ph.D., Professor and Turf Entomologist, North Carolina State University
(259-01) Learn about cost-effective management of warm-season turfgrass insect pests and start developing an IPM plan! Topics in this advanced seminar include:
- Relationships between the environment and pest outbreaks
- Monitoring and scouting techniques
- Biological and natural control strategies
Advanced Weed Management
Bert McCarty, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture, Clemson University
Fred H. Yelverton, Ph.D., Professor of Crop Science, North Carolina State University
(060-01) Do new weeds keep developing on your course no matter what steps you take to control the problem? Develop an effective weed management program for your facility. This IPM-based seminar will provide in-depth information on weed management, including:
- Biology, ecology and lifecycles of major turfgrass weeds
- Plant growth regulator use
- Herbicide resistance
- Environmental considerations
The textbook, Color Atlas of Turfgrass Weeds, is strongly recommended (not required) for this seminar.
Basic Bentgrass Management for the Humid Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions
Peter Dernoeden, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Maryland
Steve McDonald, Owner, Turfgrass Disease Solutions LLC
(225-01) Learn how to successfully manage creeping bentgrass in the humid northeastern, mid-Atlantic and transition zone regions. Discussion will focus on:
- Recognition and treatment of stress factors
- Various cultural and environmental issues and their effects on creeping bentgrass
The textbook, Creeping Bentgrass Management: Summer Stresses, Weeds, and Selected Maladies, is strongly recommended (not required) for this seminar.
Calculations and Practical Mathematics for Use in Golf Course Management
Michael L. Agnew, Ph.D., Senior Technical Manager, Syngenta
Nick E. Christians, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture, Iowa State University
(080-01) In today's market, proper application of chemicals is more important than ever. Refresh your math skills in this practical and hands-on seminar:
- Learn calculations involved in purchasing and applying materials
- Interpret fertilizer and plant protectant labels
A basic calculator will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own if you prefer. Please bring the required textbook, The Mathematics of Turfgrass Maintenance, latest edition, to the seminar.
Cool-Season Turfgrass Nutrition, Fertilizers and Programming
Kevin W. Frank, Ph.D., Associate Professor/Turfgrass Extension Specialist,
Michigan State University
Brian Horgan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Dept. of Horticultural Science,
University of Minnesota
(482-01) New fertilizers, new cultivars, new research, new turfgrass management philosophies and new regulations on what you can and cannot do—these are all factors critical to understanding turfgrass nutritional needs. Topics covered in this comprehensive seminar include:
- Plant, soil and fertilizer factors
- Turf responses to nutrients
- Environmental fate of nutrients
- Fertilizer characteristics and planning a fertilization program
Cutting-Edge Disease Identification and Management for Cool-Season Grasses
Bruce B. Clarke, Ph.D., Professor of Turfgrass Pathology, Rutgers University
Bruce Martin, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Soil and Plant Science,
Clemson University
(342-01) Gain in-depth information for identifying and controlling turfgrass diseases of cool-season grasses as they are maintained in various habitats. Topics include:
- Characteristics of the pathogens
- Environmental, cultural and chemical considerations as related to disease management
- Major risk factors for specific, important diseases and how to minimize their impact
The textbook, Compendium of Turfgrass Diseases, 3rd edition, is strongly recommended (not required) for this seminar.
Expanding the Boundaries of Ultradwarf Bermudagrass
Michael Goatley, Ph.D., CSES Department, Virginia Tech
Chris Hartwiger, SE Region, Senior Agronomist, USGA Green Section
Patrick O'Brien, SE Region Director, UGSA Green Section
(590-01) If you've recently converted to ultradwarf bermudagrass or are contemplating the move, you can't afford to miss this seminar. Gain valuable ultradwarf insight from the perspective of USGA consultants, university researchers and peer superintendents, as well as:
- Learn the latest in strategies, techniques and equipment to optimize ultradwarf playability, specifically related to winter management strategies, cultural and fertility programs and specialized equipment
- Be able to make informed decisions about whether or not ultradwarfs will be right for your golf facility
Golf Course Construction and Renovation Costing
Bruce Charlton, President/Chief Design Officer, Robert Trent Jones II, LLC; ASGCA Immediate Past President
John Daugherty, Vice President of Operations, Ryangolf Corporation
Douglas Long, Vice President, Heritage Links; GCBAA, Chairman, Cost Guide Committee
(570-01) Improve and increase your knowledge related to construction and renovation budgeting. Whether you are thinking about renovating or building, or if it's the right time, it is crucial to understand how to accurately develop a cost analysis of the project. Experienced leaders from the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA) and the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) will team up to lead you step-by-step through the development of a budget and bid process for a full renovation and/or new golf project.
Golf Course Trees and Turf: A Peaceful Coexistence
John Ball, Ph.D., Professor of Forestry, South Dakota State University
Roch E. Gaussoin, Ph.D., Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture/Extension Specialist, University of Nebraska
(231-01) This in-depth program covers the critical aspects of tree/turf interactions in the unique environment of a golf course. Learn how to:
- Select golf course-friendly trees
- Manage shade by pruning
- Use PGRs
- Protect trees during construction
- Transplant plant life
Irrigation Water Quality
David M. Kopec, Ph.D., Extension Specialist/Field Researcher for Turf,
University of Arizona
Clark Throssell, Ph.D., Director of Research, GCSAA
(011-01) Increasing demand for high quality water for domestic use has forced golf courses to irrigate with poor quality water. This timely seminar focuses on the five components of irrigation water quality (salt content, sodium hazard, residual sodium carbonate, pH and ions present in a toxic concentration) and their impacts on turf performance and soil properties.
Plan ahead to protect the quality of your turf by learning to:
- Interpret both a water test report and a soil test report with respect to water quality
- Adjust water management practices to meet the challenges of poor water quality
This seminar is considered an intermediate-level program; the recommended prerequisite is an introductory soil science course.
Landscape Color on the Golf Course: From the Ground Up
Dean Bemis, Owner, Rough Designs
Ken Harr, Product Technical Manager, Syngenta
(091-01) Do you struggle to incorporate any color on your course other than green? Learn about some of the benefits and challenges of using annuals, perennials and woody ornamentals to add "color value" on and around the golf course. Come prepared to share your experiences with ornamentals. Topics include:
- Site selection
- Planning (including a hands-on design workshop)
- Building new and improving existing beds
- Post-installation maintenance
- The use of new and existing trees and shrubs
- The values of selecting and working with local greenhouse and nursery suppliers
A color CD showing examples, uses and combinations of "color value" plants will be available to all participants.
Physiology and Culture of Annual Bluegrass
Al Turgeon, Ph.D., Professor of Turfgrass Management, Pennsylvania State University
Joe M. Vargas Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University
(271-01) Develop a cultural program to sustain annual bluegrass communities at your facility. This informative seminar covers topics such as:
- Cultivation and growth of annual bluegrass
- Monitoring, testing and maintenance of drainage systems
- Development of maintenance programs to minimize various seasonal turfgrass stress problems
The textbook, Poa annua: Physiology, Culture and Control of Annual Bluegrass, is strongly recommended (not required) for this seminar.
Seashore Paspalum Management on Golf Courses
Ronny R. Duncan, Ph.D.
Tim Hiers, CGCS, The Old Collier Golf Club
(236-01) Seashore Paspalum is a global warm-season grass that has the best salt tolerance among all warm-season turfgrasses. This seminar covers aspects of managing seashore paspalum, including:
- Understanding the attributes and limitations of this grass for your site
- The impact of variable quality water, including necessary adjustments to management practices
- Soil chemistry testing and treatment
- Pest management concerns and strategies
The textbook, Seashore Paspalum: The Environmental Turfgrass, is strongly recommended (not required) for this seminar.
Strengthening Your People Skills in the Workplace
Jimmy Westrick, National Seminars Group/Padgett-Thompson
(568-01) Gain essential skills for understanding, relating to and working better with all types of people, even the most difficult, during this extraordinary one-day workshop.
Taking Control of Green Speed
Michael D. Morris, CGCS, Crystal Downs Country Club
Thomas A. Nikolai, Ph.D., Turfgrass Academic Specialist, Michigan State University
John Sorochan, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee
(321-01) Green speed is important to the golfers who play your course. Gain a better approach for managing your putting surface and budget through a variety of topical discussions, including:
- The history of the Stimpmeter
- Cultural practices and their impact on green speed and the turfgrass plant
- Using green speed to improve communications with members
Warm-Season Turfgrass Disease Management
Phil Harmon, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Plant Pathology, University of Florida
Megan Kennelly, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kansas State University
Frank P. Wong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of California-Riverside
(542-01) Disease management is a daily challenge on the golf course. Come prepared for an in-depth discussion concerning the major diseases of warm-season turfgrasses in warm and transitional climates. Topics covered include:
- Symptoms and diagnostic tips that you can use in the field
- Cultural practices that you can apply to manage disease risk and occurrence
- The latest disease control products and their use in golf course management plans
Advanced Turfgrass Irrigation Water Quality: Assessment and Management
Ronny R. Duncan, Ph.D.
Michael T. Huck, Agronomist, Irrigation & Turfgrass Services
(277-01) Alternative water use is a growing concern for superintendents and its use creates a number of challenging management decisions. This advanced-level workshop will concentrate on:
- Water quality reports and treatment needs
- Maintenance programs to minimize stress
- The impact of irrigation water quality on pest activity and treatment
- Appropriate grass varieties for site based on soil and water quality concerns
You are encouraged to bring your own water data to the workshop.
Bermudagrass Greens Management
John Cisar, Ph.D., Professor, University of Florida
David M. Kopec, Ph.D., Extension Specialist/Field Researcher for Turf, University of Arizona
(244-01) Gain knowledge of the BMPs for bermudagrass cultivars ranging from Tifgreen up to and including the new ultradwarf varieties. Topics will include
- Special procedures and problem-solving techniques in both arid and tropical climates
- The latest scientific and practical research on varietal maintenance information
Communication Skills to Get You to the Top and Keep You There
C. Mike Jousan, President, Clear Communication Company, Inc.
(227-01) On any given day, you interact constantly with your staff, your managers, member golfers and salespeople. Are your communication skills the best they could be? These skills must be a top priority for the superintendent, and this interactive seminar will help you identify and develop the communication skills you need every day.
Developing a High-Performance, People-Oriented Golf Course Maintenance Staff
Robert A. Milligan, Ph.D., Senior Consultant, Dairy Strategies, LLC
(201-01) Today's demanding market requires a strong staff and team. In this interactive seminar, you will enhance your ability to:
- Increase the productivity and job-satisfaction of those you supervise
- Understand employee motivation
- Engage employees in the success of the course
- Provide more frequent and better quality performance feedback
- Better understand your critical role as a supervisor
- Improve your supervisory skills and behaviors
Environmental Check-up: How Sustainable is Your Facility?
Kathy M. Antaya,CGCS, Consultant, Kathy M. Antaya LLC
Debra S. Swartz, Environmental Management Specialist
(332-01) How does your facility measure up to rising environmental expectations and requirements? This seminar will help sharpen your environmental focus by helping you:
- Identify and minimize or eliminate potential environmental risks
- Implement sustainable management practices
- Examine your maintenance facility and establish practices that conserve energy, reduce waste, and protect and conserve natural resources
- Create an action plan for improving regulatory compliance
An on-site tour of a local golf course and its maintenance facility will provide you with a first hand look at proactive ways to handle and store pesticides and fertilizers, wash equipment, store fuel and oils, prepare for emergencies, protect and conserve water resources, reduce waste and conserve energy.
Gadgets and Gizmos: How to Best Use Measurement Technology
Douglas Karcher, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Arkansas
Mike Richardson, Ph.D., Professor, University of Arkansas
(541-01) In this seminar, examine several soil, plant and environmental measurement devices. Discussions of each will include specific turf management problem diagnosis capabilities, underlying technology, shortcomings and cost. See actual demonstrations on a local area golf course where this seminar will take place. Transportation to and from the course will be provided. Attendees will leave from and return to the convention center.
Golf Course Staffing Operations: Hiring, Training, Organizing, Managing and Planning
Roger A. Stewart Jr., CGCS, TPC Twin Cities
Bruce R. Williams, CGCS, Director of Business Development, Valleycrest; GCSAA Past President
(589-01) In order to successfully manage your golf course, you must be able to hire and train an effective staff, create standards and a long range plan, and develop a budget to make it all happen. In this in-depth and comprehensive seminar, you will learn to do all of this and more while covering the following:
- Hiring and interviewing, including creating job descriptions and personnel policies
- Team-building and staff training
- Developing written golf course standards and long range plans
- Budgeting effectively to meet goals
Greens Aerification and Water Management by the Numbers
Nelson Caron, Ogeechee GC/Ford Plantation
Erik Ervin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Troy Fink, CGCS, Country Club of Virginia
(591-01) To optimize the health and playing performance of your putting greens, proper organic matter dilution in surface rootzones is crucial. Reviewing research data and USGA Green Section recommendations for both cool and warm-season putting greens, emphasis will be placed on cultivation and topdressing practices, specifically the "numbers:" surface area removal and sand volume calculations. In this applied seminar, you will:
- Understand how to monitor percent organic matter status and determine, by mathematical estimation, a timeframe for achieving a percent organic matter goal
- Learn how to use an Excel spreadsheet to do organic matter dilution math
- Examine how to measure moisture gain and loss in putting greens and how this effects irrigation scheduling.
Managing Bentgrass Golf Greens in Heat Stress Environments
Bert McCarty, Ph.D., Professor of Horticulture, Clemson University
Bruce Martin, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, Soil and Plant Science, Clemson University
(489-01) New and revolutionary means of successfully managing bentgrass golf greens in heat-stress environments are continually being developed. Discover management practices you can implement to improve the quality of your greens:
- Construction options
- Cultivar choices
- Above- and below-ground fan use
- Pest management
- Adjustment of cultural practices to minimize thatch/mat and grain development
Microscopic Identification of Turfgrass Diseases
Henry C. Wetzel III, Ph.D., Research Associate, Washington State University
Alan S. Windham, Ph.D., Professor of Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee
(331-01) Experience the challenges of turf disease diagnosis in a hands-on, laboratory-style setting. Working in teams of two, you will use dissecting and compound microscopes to examine turfgrass pathogens and the diseases they cause. The workshop will cover:
- The basics of turf disease diagnosis
- An introduction to microscopic fungal identification
- Microscopic examination of diseased turf
Soils - The Foundation of Quality Turf
Cale Bigelow, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
George E. Van Scoyoc, Ph.D., Professor of Agronomy, Purdue University
(322-01) This hands-on seminar focuses on how soils differ, how to determine these differences and how to make interpretations regarding both chemical and physical properties. Topics to be discussed include:
- How to review soil test reports in detail
- How soil texture and color relate to fertility, water movement, drainage and cultural practices
Solving Your Drainage Problems
Stephen Ami, Consultant, Kelly Ami Inc.
John Kelly, Consultant, Kelly Ami Inc.
(240-01) Poor drainage on a golf course leads to numerous problems with your turf. In this seminar, you will learn:
- The basic tools required to diagnose and solve drainage problems
- How to determine the source of the water and why the excess water is not draining away naturally
Spanish for Golf Course Maintenance
Steve Valdez, Owner, Carpe Diem Consulting Services
(346-01) As the Hispanic workforce continues to grow, so does the importance of the superintendent's Spanish language skills. Assess your current Spanish knowledge and then work to improve your skills through:
- An introduction to Spanish language
- Specific Spanish training and Spanish golf course terminology
- Handouts that include valuable information, such as translated golf course industry terminology, for future reference
Thinking Your Way Through Problem Solving in Turfgrass Management and More
Al Turgeon, Ph.D., Professor of Turfgrass Management, Pennsylvania State University
Joe M. Vargas, Jr., Ph.D., Professor of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University
(487-01) You encounter a wide variety of challenges on a daily basis, and the success of your facility requires an ability to deal with these challenges in an effective manner. In this innovative seminar, you will learn proven methods to improve the overall environment of your facility through:
- A series of case-studies addressing real-life problems
- Working in small groups to develop an array of problem-solving techniques
- Receiving constructive critiques of your solutions from instructors and peers
Turgrass Field Seminar
(106-01) Once sites are confirmed, this information will be updated.
Wildlife and Habitat Management on the Golf Course
David Drake, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
(537-01) Discover the benefits of increasing wildlife and wildlife habitat on golf courses while maintaining a balance in the management of both the wildlife and the golf course. In this hands-on seminar, you'll take a field trip to a local golf course, where you'll see wildlife management practices in place, demonstrating the combination of application and theory.
Advanced Stress Management Strategies for Cool-Season Turfgrasses
Jack D. Fry, Ph.D., Professor of Turfgrass Science, Kansas State University
Bingru Huang, Ph.D., Professor, Plant Biology and Pathology Department, Rutgers University
(450-01) This advanced seminar will provide an overview of basic growth characteristics and environmental adaptation of cool-season turfgrasses, before examining more advanced topics, such as:
- Major environmental stresses that cause performance decline
- Physiological reasons behind stress injury to turf
- Advanced management strategies to prevent stress injury
- Maintaining high-quality turf when water quality and quantity concerns exist
- Best management practices for common, real-world problems
Management of Zoysiagrass on the Golf Course
Aaron J. Patton, Ph.D., Assistant Professor/Horticulture Extension Specialist-Turfgrass, Purdue University
David C. Stone, The Honors Course
(186-01) The use of zoysiagrass is increasing in the transition zone and southern U.S. climates. Despite an increase in use, there is still a great deal of information that is yet to be discovered about the management of zoysiagrass. This interactive seminar will provide current management information, including:
- Selecting a cultivar based on your location, needs and use
- Developing appropriate cultural practices for establishment, mowing, fertilization, plant growth regulators, and pest and weed control
- Discussing best practices with superintendents who are currently managing zoysiagrass
Modern Lake Management
Erwin H. McKone, CGCS, Director of Golf Operations, Briar Ridge Country Club
(456-01) In this course, you will review basic lake and pond ecological principles and then use these concepts to develop sound management programs for water features at your facility. You will focus on:
- Water quality and the characteristics of a healthy pond ecosystem
- Diagnosis of pond health using plant and animal identifiers
- Identification and implementation of corrective action based on existing imbalances in the pond system
- Techniques to manage a healthy pond in a natural way
Selection, Establishment and Maintenance of Grasses for "Native" Roughs and other Reduced Maintenance Areas
David Kopec, Ph.D., Extension Specialist/Field Researcher for Turf, University of Arizona
Tony Koski, Ph.D., Professor, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University
(567-01) There is a growing interest in the use of native grasses on the golf course for both environmental and financial reasons. Success of this practice depends upon grass selection, establishment practices, and practical long-term management programs. In this hands-on semnar, you will:
- Learn how to develop grassing plans for reduced maintenance areas, including establishment, grow-in management, and long-term maintenance
- Review case studies from different regions of North America illustrating correct and incorrect grassing and management strategies
- Develop a hypothetical grassing plan for an area on your own golf course