OTF 2008 events announced

Columbus, OH—The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF) recently announced dates for its 2008 events, all of which help the 47-year old organization raise funds for turfgrass research and scholarships. 

May 23 – 29 – Ohio Turfgrass Week. The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation will again hold Ohio Turfgrass Week May 23-29, 2008.  Plans are to hold Ohio Turfgrass week every year beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and continuing through the following Thursday. The primary purpose of this new initiative is to generate public awareness of the turfgrass industry in Ohio, educate consumers about the benefits of professionally-managed turfgrass areas, and to create new funding sources for turfgrass research and education.

July 14 – OTR Regional Seminar, Sylvania Country Club, Sylvania, OH.  “Summer Turf Problems and Solutions for where you Live, Work and Play”.  OTF offers seminars around the state to help turfgrass managers answer questions and solve problems they are experiencing during the season.  Separate tracks are offered for golf course, athletic fields and lawn/grounds maintenance.  The seminars, featuring The Ohio State University (OSU) Turfgrass Science Team, turf faculty, OSU extension, and leading turfgrass professionals, are free for OTF members with a nominal fee for non-members.  Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) education points and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Pesticide License re-certification credit are available.

August 13 – OSU/OTF Turfgrass Research Field Day, OTF Research & Education Facility, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.  Sponsored by The Ohio State University, OSU Extension, and Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center.  The 17-member OSU Turfgrass Science Team will provide updates and answer questions about the latest turfgrass research being conducted at the university. More than 500 turfgrass professionals are expected to attend.

October 6 – Ohio Turfgrass Foundation Annual Golf Tournament – Westfield Group Country Club, Westfield, OH.  Westfield Group Country Club is a 36 hole facility owned and operated by Westfield Group Insurance and is used primarily for the entertaining of Westfield agents, employees, select members and their guests. 

The original nine was built in 1937 on what is now the front nine of the South Course.  In 1969, under the direction of Golf Course Architect Geoff Cornish, the South Course was expanded to 18 holes.

In 1972, Cornish and then Superintendent John Spodnik teamed up once again to construct the North Course and provide the template for today’s facility. 

In 1997, Craig Schreiner was hired as golf course architect and developed a new Master Plan, of which many projects have been executed including; South Course Bunker Renovation, and 2005 South Course Renovation to holes 4, 5, 15 and 13.

The 2008 Scholarship and Research Scramble will be played on the North Course which is a par 72, plays 6,800 yards from the tips and has a slope rating of 72.6.

OSU Grad Kyle Smith is Assistant on the North Course, while Mike Sterzer (ATI) is the Assistant on the South Course.

December 8-11– Ohio Turfgrass Conference & Show, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH.  Sponsored by the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, The Ohio State University, OSU Extension, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center, Ohio Lawn Care Association, Ohio Sod Producers Association, and Ohio Sports Turf Managers Association.   The largest regional turfgrass conference and trade show in the country, this 42nd annual event will boast over 200 exhibiting companies in 450+ booths, 100+ hours of education, and attract more than 4000 turfgrass professionals. 

Educational sessions will meet the needs of Golf Course Superintendents, Golf Course Owners and General Managers, Sports Turf Managers, Lawn and Landscape Professionals, Sod Producers, Assistants, Technicians, Mechanics, and everyone else involved in turfgrass management. 

For more information about the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and 2008 events, please contact 888-683-3445; 740-452-2552 (fax); info@OhioTurfgrass.org; www.OhioTurfgrass.org.