The Forums are scheduled for San Francisco (April 13), New York (May 12), St. Louis (June 9) and Chicago (September 29).

Athletic Field Maintenance Forums continue nationwide this year

Toro, Beacon Athletics and Diamond Pro are joining forces in 2010 to present four Athletic Field Maintenance Forums. The Forums are scheduled for San Francisco (April 13), New York (May 12), St. Louis (June 9) and Chicago (September 29). Individuals can register at www.beaconathletics.com/seminars/.


These comprehensive sessions combine hands-on and classroom instruction with proven techniques and skills to enhance field maintenance knowledge. The forums will cover a broad range of topics including:


·         An in-depth look at infield soils


·         Sport turf essentials: aerification, topdressing, mowing & irrigation


·         Managing ballfield skin areas: mounds, home plate and infield areas


·         Bullpen Q &A session


·         On-field demonstrations


“The networking and educational knowledge available at these athletic seminars is captured for each participant in an informative binder with reference materials delivered throughout the session,” said Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE, commercial district sales manager for Toro.  “These are not only assets for attendees but also for others as the knowledge is shared with the rest of the attendee’s organization.”


Featured speakers include:

Dale Getz, CSFM, CSE sports turf sales manager for Toro.  Previously, he was athletic facilities manager at the University of Notre Dame for 17 years.
Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE, commercial district sales manager for Toro, and former facilities and maintenance director at Sylvania Recreation Corporation. Montgomery has published numerous articles on sports turf management and operations.
Paul Zwaska from Beacon Athletics, and former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles. Zwaska has 31 years of grounds experience.
Tom Burns from Diamond Pro, and former head groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers. Burns is widely known and respected as one of the top groundskeepers in Major League Baseball.

Participants attending an Athletic Field Maintenance Forums will earn 0.6 CEU’s in Continuing Education Points toward their Certified Sports Field Managers (CSFM) designation. The Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) certification program recognizes the importance of fostering and improving professionalism within the sports turf industry.