Cranfield University at Silsoe and the National Turfgrass Foundation, a newly formed charitable trust with the aim of funding research projects and raising awareness of turfgrass research, have joined forces to stage a major conference. Entitled ‘In Pursuit of Excellence’, the conference will be held at the Southport Theatre and Floral Hall Complex, and the Prince of Wales Hotel in Southport, England, from 18th to 21st November 2002 inclusive.
“The Conference has been designed to augment other education programmes by focusing on the results of recent and current research into a wide range of turfgrass topics,” announced Martyn Jones, originator of the NTF and conference organiser. “Golf course managers, stadium managers, greenkeepers, groundsmen, researchers and college lecturers who wish to keep abreast of the latest developments will receive up-to-date information from internationally renowned researchers, agronomists and educators from the UK, continental Europe, and the USA”
The programme covers general agronomic topics and a choice of special studies in either golf course management or sports ground management. Something for everyone and at an affordable price is definitely the theme for the event.
Amongst the speakers are Dr Stephen Baker, Professor Joseph Vargas, Jr., Dr Alan Gange, Professor Al Turgeon, Dr Ed McCoy, Professor Karl Danneberger, Dr Kate Entwistle, Stanley Zontek, Dr Frank Rossi, Dr Bob Shearman and Professor Peter Dernoeden.
Greenkeepers will also have an opportunity to discuss ‘The Vintage Years’ with Walter Woods, OBE and Jack McMillan, MBE, much respected senior statesmen of the industry.
”It promises to be a thrilling and highly informative conference for anyone involved in the management of golf courses,” continued Martyn Jones. “A fairly large party of top American golf course superintendents are organising a trip to the event and I have already had numerous enquiries from Ireland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain. I am sure that for many who have any involvement in the design, management, or maintenance of golf courses it will be one of the educational highlights of their year.”
National Turfgrass Foundation NTFoundation@aol.com.