The Ohio Turfgrass Foundation (OTF) recently finalized dates for its 2009 events, all of which help the 48-year old organization raise funds for turfgrass research and education. Please list the following on your calendar of events:
May 22 – 28 – Ohio Turfgrass Week. OTF is currently seeking a legislative proclamation (Senate bill 51) naming the last week of May as Ohio Turfgrass Week. The primary purpose of this initiative is to generate public awareness of the importance 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.
May 27 – Ohio Turf & Lawn Care Advocacy Day, Ohio Statehouse & Renaissance Hotel, Columbus, OH. OTF is partnering with the Ohio Lawn Care Association in planning a day of advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse. Everyone involved in turfgrass management, including golf course superintendents, athletic fields, groundskeepers, lawn and landscape operators, are invited to participate. Participants will learn how to meet with their state representatives, build relationships with legislators, and promote the turfgrass industry to Ohio’s General Assembly.
August 12 – 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 – OTF Annual Golf Tournament – Toledo Country Club, Toledo, OH. The Toledo Country Club is one of the oldest and finest Country Clubs in the Midwest, established in 1897 with the purchase of approximately thirty acres of land along the Maumee River. A nine-hole golf course was constructed almost immediately while today’s Clubhouse was completed by 1901. The course was originally designed by British Open Champion Willie Park Jr. and was later redesigned by Arthur Hills.
December 7-10– 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 43rd annual event will boast over 200 exhibiting companies in 400+ 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 2009 Ohio Turfgrass Foundation events, please contact 888-683-3445; 740-452-2552 (fax); info@OhioTurfgrass.org; www.OhioTurfgrass.org.