January 10, 2003

North Central Turfgrass Association 17th Annual Meeting Scheduled in February

Nothing is being held back for this year's North Central Turfgrass Association annual convention scheduled for Feb. 26-28 at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo according to Ron Smith, horticulturist for the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "The invited speakers are from around the country and are rated as the best in the turfgrass industry."

Nick Christians, a professor at Iowa State University, and a former golf course superintendent at a course in Boulder Colorado, will be speaking on "The Use of Natural Products for Weed Control" and "Nitrogen Sources for Use In Turf." Christians is the recipient of several awards including: the 1999 Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Research Award, the Outstanding Undergraduate Educator Award from the American Society of Horticultural Science, and the ISU Teaching Excellence Award.

Keith Karnok, a professor of agronomy at the University of Georgia, will discuss "Localized Dry Spots and Wetting Agents" and "Understanding Biostinulants." Karnok is the author of more than 250 publications related to turfgrass science. He is the recipient of the Fred V. Grau Turfgrass Science Award and 16 other awards for teaching excellence. Dr. Karnok is highly conversant in both warm-season and cool-season grasses.

Floyd Perry is the owner of Grounds Maintenance Service in Orlando, Florida. His name is well known to grounds keepers throughout the country according to Smith. He makes on site visits and carries out workshops during the summer months and was recently honored as the "Sports Turf Manager of the Year" by Sports Turf magazine. He has produced a three-part video presentation entitled "The ABC's of Grounds Maintenance" and is in constant demand in all 50 states as a speaker on sports turf management.

Matt Nelson is an agronomist for USGA Green Section, a magazine devoted entirely to construction and care of golf course greens. Nelson holds a masters degree in crop science from Washington State University, and has seven years experience in golf course maintenance and two years in golf course construction. He serves the upper Midwest region out his office in Twin Falls, Idaho.

On Friday, Feb 28, there will be a special GCSAA Seminar featuring Joe Vargas. He is a well-known turfgrass pathologist from Michigan State University and is the author of "Management of Turfgrass Diseases" a text used in college turf classes.

The convention includes other speakers on various turfgrass subjects plus a trade show with more than 30 exhibitors. For more information and to register, contact the NCTGA office at: (701) 280-2529 or email at NCTGA@aol.com.

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Source: Ron Smith (701) 231-8161, ronsmith@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern (701) 231-6136, Richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu