The Oregon Sports Turf Managers Association event will feature Philadelphia Phillies head groundskeeper and Pacific Northwest native Mike Boekholder as well as Portland Parks' own Debbie Kneeshaw.

Oregon STMA event set for March 4 in Portland

The Oregon Sports Turf Managers Association and sponsor Rain Bird are proud to present Mike Boekholder, Head Groundskeeper with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He joins us to share his experiences managing and maintaining superior major league ball-fields. He understands the challenge of maintaining field playability while meeting the expectations of multiple users: the players, managers and owners. Mike will share insights focused on turf management; efficient watering practices; infield maintenance and managing the relationship between players, coaches and the maintenance team. He will also share his experiences in the 2008 World Series and adventures en-route to the “bigs” at other major league ball parks.


Mike is a native of Toppenish, WA and graduate of Central Washington University. He worked his way up to Philadelphia after managing minor league facilities with the Yakima Bears, Durham Bulls and Indianapolis Indians. Mike has been named “Groundskeeper of the Year” eight times in the Northwest, Carolina and International Leagues. Twice he has received the “Triple-A Sports Turf Manager of the Year” award. 


Debbie Kneeshaw will be presenting on the process of replacing a synthetic turf sports field.  Debbie is the Lead Park Technician for East Delta Sports Complex, with the City of Portland Parks and Recreation Department and is the 2009 president of the Oregon STMA.
Please save the date Wednesday March 4 from 10am to 2pm at Delta Park in Portland. This event is open to anyone managing, maintaining or designing turf playing fields. There will be a question and answer period and brief reception following the presentations.


This is a membership drive event for the Oregon Sports Turf Managers Association.  The $25 attendance fee will cover entrance to all presentations, lunch and your membership in the Association for 2009!


Please RSVP by March 2nd to Debbie Kneeshaw:  pkdebbiek@ci.portland.or.us or


Rick Wagner:  rwagner@rainbird.com


Schedule of Events


10:00 – 10:30      Registration/Networking


10:30 – 10:45      Welcome and Oregon STMA presentation    Rick Wagner / Debbie Kneeshaw


10:45 – 11:45      Turf Management and Irrigation practices     Mike Boekholder     


11:45 – 12:30      Lunch


12:30 – 1:15        Replacing a Synthetic Sports Field                Debbie Kneeshaw   


1:15 – 2:00          Infield Maintenance                                        Mike Boekholder     


2:15 – 3:00          OSTMA board meeting


 Location


Delta Sports Complex – Located off I-5 at exit 307B


10737 N. Union Ct. 


Portland, OR  97217


Look for the turquoise colored roof of the concession building in the center of the park.