FTGA 2010

From: https://www.ftga.org/events

Dear Turgrass Professional,

Immediately after the 2009 Conference & Show (C&S), the FTGA conducted a survey to ascertain which areas of the C&S met the attendees' expectations, and in which areas they would like to see changes. This September, we will introduce a new and improved C&S based on the responses to that survey.

Location, location, location...
The survey indicated that you wanted to move the C&S to a central location with family activities. We are pleased to announce that this year the FTGA C&S moves to the Caribe Royale All-Suite Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, situated in one of America's top tourist and family destinations. The FTGA has negotiated an inclusive $99 room rate at this beautiful resort for you and your family.

Double your value
This year, the FTGA launches an exciting opportunity for turf industry businesses to double the value they receive at the C&S. This exciting addition allows member companies the occasion to schedule a meeting during the C&S. With this new program, you can hold one of your recurrent meetings at the C&S, and the FTGA will handle the details for you. We will arrange free meeting space and provide refreshments. It doesn't get any better than that.

Enhanced networking events
There's much more in added value at the 2010 C&S. We are focused on providing a premium networking experience seamlessly woven into the C&S experience.
To that end: All of our C&S packages include education and trade show credentials as well as lunch on Wednesday and Thursday. This allows attendees, instructors, exhibitors, sponsors, students and others the chance to visit together in one place with no need to take off for lunch away from the action. The lunches on both days will also enable us to provide brief announcements, sponsor recognition and the availability of event staff to answer questions. For exhibitors, the Thursday lunch will double as the ribbon-cutting for the opening of the trade show, with extended hours and improved opportunities for showcasing products and services.
The Awards Luncheon will be significantly updated. This year, it is combined with our traditional prayer breakfast to create a new morning kickoff on Thursday. While retaining a motivational theme and speaker, the Thursday breakfast is intended to be a positive kickoff for the day, and it will include comments from our Executive Director, Pete Snyder, on the "state of the association" and our industry.
Our Golf Tournament and Corn Boil will remain the outstanding events participants have come to expect. The Golf Tournament will be held at one of Orlando's outstanding golf courses. The Corn Boil will be located on site at the Caribe Royale, but it will retain its flavor and purpose as an opportunity to have fun, see old and new friends, and allow you the chance to bid on some great auction items.

Mark your calendars now for the best ever FTGA C&S this September 15 - 17.

Sincerely,

Mac Carraway,
Conference & Show Chairman

An Army of One

 Overnight armyworm damage on a newly installed TifGrand lawn!

Lake City GLO at Florida Gateway College

Lake City Community College has officially transformed into Florida Gateway College to better reflect the area from which it draws its students, in conjunction with the offering of Bachelor Degree programs. While the name has changed, the legendary GLO programs remains in tact with exiting new course offerings including Sports Turf Management and Irrigation Auditing. Additional contact information is located at the bottom of this post for any prospective students.




https://www.fgc.edu/academics/golf-and-landscape-operations.aspx

1. Golf Course Operations: This is a three-year Associate in Science (A.S.) degree program that educates students to become golf course superintendents (the turfgrass manager at the golf course). Applicants must have 500 hours of golf maintenance work experience before entering. The first year is an entire year of mechanics and shop management, and the second and third years stress agronomy, horticulture, and turf management.

Some facts follow:Need level 10 on TABE test for mechanics module and ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores. Graduates enter the job market as assistant superintendents commonly earning $25,000-$35,000 More jobs than graduates Job market is throughout Florida, nationally and internationally Career potential of $50,000 to well over $100,000 Florida Gateway College (FGC) grads are in very high demand Articulates to Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration through Saint Leo University located on FGC campus

2. Landscape Technology: This is a two-year A.S. degree program that educates students to become landscape managers. The program emphasizes landscape installation and maintenance with some design. There is excellent management potential for bright students who like horticulture and management, and Florida landscape contractors want more FGC grads.

Some facts:Need ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores Many more jobs than graduates $25,000-$35,000 starting salaries are common $50,000 to over $100,000 career potential Good for people who like plants and contracting (building landscapes) or landscape maintenance Great career for someone who wants to own his/her own business Use these Web sites for more industry information: www.FNGLA.org and www.thelandlovers.org Articulates to Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration through Saint Leo University located on FGC campus

3. Turf Equipment Technology: This is a one-year Applied Technology Diploma program that can lead to an A.S. degree in Turf Equipment Management. It trains students to manage the shop and maintain all the equipment used to care for the turf at golf courses. Students must score a 10 in English, reading, and math on the TABE before entering. Graduates with a mechanical aptitude who are organized and management oriented are in very high demand throughout Florida and the entire United States. There is a severe national shortage of turf equipment technicians.

Some facts:Need level 10 on TABE for one-year Applied Technology Diploma Can be $25,000-$35,000 starting salary Career potential: $40,000-$75,000 depending on abilities and location Could place three times the number of graduates (usually around 10) Bright students who grasp the shop management concepts as well as mechanics will advance quickly


4. Pest Control Operations: This is a one-year, 24 credit Applied Technology Diploma program that can lead to an A.S. degree in Landscape Technology. It trains students for lawn and ornamental pest control operations. The program includes courses in plant materials, pest control, botany, chemistry, business management, and more. Students must score a 10 in English, reading, and math on the TABE before entering.

Some facts:Need level 10 on TABE for the Applied Technology Diploma 24 credits can be done in one year or six credits per semester over two years All 24 credits articulate into the A.S. degree in Landscape Technology Students can use this program as a start to the landscape program Starting salaries vary depending on where students go and whether they go into the lawn care, landscape, or golf industry as plant health technicians

5. Certificate in Horticulture: This is a one-year, 18 credit certificate program that leads to entry level positions in horticulture related industries such as plant nurseries or landscape companies.
Need ACT, SAT, or other approved test scores 18 credits articulate into the A.S. degree in Landscape Technology There is a job market for entry level horticulturists.

Contact :John R. Piersol, Director

Golf & Landscape Operations

149 SE College Place

Lake City, Florida 32025-2007

386.754.4225

john.piersol@fgc.edu

www.fgc.edu

Revised 06/08/10

St. Andrews Links- Old Course Blog

Follow the link to the "Preparing the Old Course for the Open" blog to track the finishing touches to the Home of Golf in advance of this week's championship.

                                            http://www.standrews.org.uk/2010-Open/Blog.aspx

Merion Golf Club

Designed by Hugh Wilson, Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania will be hosting the 2013 U.S. Open. Merion is the site where Bobby Jones captured the Grand Slam in 1930 and where Ben Hogan hit the now immortal one-iron to the 72nd hole of the 1950 U.S. Open, completing his comeback from a near fatal car wreck the previous year. Thanks to 2010 graduate Joey Flinchbaugh for the following pics.

Aerification- Timuquana Country Club

Here are some photos of aerification at Timuquana Country Club, a 1923 Donald Ross design and host of the 2002 U.S.G.A. Senior Amateur, in Jacksonville, Florida. Timuquana has three Lake City alumns on staff including Assistant Superintendent Don Bryant, Irrigation Tech Chris Maynard, and A-I-T Brad Stephens.

FarmLinks Dryject Pictures

GCO student Brandon Hurtt along with Assistant Superintendent and LCCC alum Robert Mitchell recently performed Dryject service on the greens at FarmLinks in Sylacauga, Alabama.

http://www.dryject.com/dryject/howitworks/index.php

DryJect allows you to:

• Aerate, amend and topdress in one pass, allowing a smooth surface that’s ready for play in an hour.
• Help new sod knit to the soil below by creating channels filled with amendment, allowing roots to penetrate deeper.
• Punch through sports turf, allowing better root proliferation.
• Combine soil modification with aeration for increased soil benefit.
• Apply up to 250% more material than traditional topdress applications.
• Adjust aeration spacing and depth (up to 8 inches).
• Inject amendments such as Profile™ Field & Fairway™ and Greens Grade™ directly into the soil.

Thanks to Brandon Hurtt for the Pics.