T H E A R KA N S A S T U R F G RA S S A S S O C I AT I O N M AG AZ I N E • F A L L 2021
MEASURING PUTTING GREEN FIRMNESS U.S. SOD CHECKOFF IS WORKING HARD TO “BRING GRASS TO LIFE” Plus:
31°28’36.5” N x 83°31’33.3” W
Marks the Spot
UGA Tifton, GA
T H E A R K A N S A S T U R F G RA S S A S S O C I AT I O N M AG A Z I N E CO N T E N T S • F A L L 2021
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6
FEATURES 10
Cover Story — Measuring Putting Green Firmness
DEPARTMENTS
6 Feature —
U.S. Sod Checkoff is Working Hard to “Bring Grass to Life”
8 Guest Column —
When Doing Good is Good Business
4 President’s Message 5 News from ATA 15 Index of Advertisers 15 University of Arkansas Turf Team
For turf news & updates, follow T W I T T E R . C O M / T H E T U R F Z O N E Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: T H E T U R F Z O N E . C O M Fall 2021
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P R E S I D E N T ’S M E S S AG E
Looking Forward
Arkansas Turfgrass Association P.O. Box 185 • Bryant, AR 72089 Tel: 501-860-0187 Published by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street, Suite 200 Franklin, TN 37064 Tel: 615-790-3718 Email: info@leadingedge communications.com
Richard Covert ATA President
I
hope that you all have found time this summer to relax and enjoy some time with loved ones, before the hustle and bustle of the upcoming school/sports season is upon us. As turf managers, I know that many of you will be at your peak season this early fall with all the sports and kids’ activities that happen in so many of our parks and sports facilities. We are so excited to talk about some of the changes to our annual meeting and tradeshow! We have changed the format this year, where the tradeshow is going to be one FULL day, from 7 am – 6 pm on the 27th, and we will be running the educational component concurrently that day for the pesticide recertification. The 28th will be the breakout sessions where you can make your own program and choose which talks from our experts you want to hear. We are just beyond excited to be able to bring back the meeting this coming year, and with some changes that are going to be for the better! Speaking of changes, please be watching our website, arkansasturf.net. In the very near future, we plan on being able to sign up new members directly on our website and have a “members only” portal with news, and special events only open to members. You will also be able to print off your membership certificates from the site. We are excited to start utilizing our web presence more. With that, we are also going to be more active on social media! We have a Facebook page – find us at Arkansas Turfgrass Association – and we have a Twitter (@Ark_Turf_Assn). Be watching those pages for useful tips, announcements about meetings/events, and as a pathway to engage with us. Shelby has really hit the ground running and we are excited at some of the ideas we have cooking that she has brought to the table.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and let us know how we can serve you! Richard Covert ATA President
ATA OFFICERS Richard Covert, President Baptist Health Systems Richard.covert@baptist-health.org Kyle Sanders, Immediate Past President Sanders Ground Essentials 501-315-9395 kylesanders@sandersground.com Jeff Haskins, Treasurer Paragould Country Club 870-780-5883 Ja1116@earthlink.net Shelby Hanson Executive Director sgouche@uark.edu Pat Berger, Director Emeritus University of Arkansas • 479-575-6887 pberger@uark.edu Charlie Bowen, Director Emeritus Arkansas Hydroseed • 501-315-7333 charliebowen@yahoo.com Seth Dunlap Arkansas State Plant Board seth.dunlap@agriculture.arkansas.gov 501-225-1598 Mark Brown Nabholz • 501-749-7459 rmbrown2@ualr.edu Rodney Fisher Life Member, Founding Member Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agrarod@yahoo.com Ron Fisher Agra Turf, Inc. • 501-268-7036 agraron@yahoo.com Steve Ibbotson Conway Parks & Rec. • 501-328-4173 Steve.ibbotson@cityofconway.org Josh Landreth Ace of Blades • 479-530-7001 aceofblades@cox.net Mark Mowrey, Director Emeritus Oaklawn • 501-538-1600 bntgrns@yahoo.com
The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association, its staff, or its board of directors, Arkansas Turfgrass, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as Arkansas Turfgrass Association members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this quarterly publication. Copyright © 2021 by the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Arkansas Turfgrass is published quarterly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of the Arkansas Turfgrass Association. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. 4 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Fall 2021
Guy Oyler Jerry Pate Turf & Irrigation goyler@jerrypate.com • 501-317-5980 Rodger Pevehouse Life Member Michael Rush Rush Lawn Care • 501-279-8980 mrush@rushlawn.com Ricky Self Cypress Creek r.self@yahoo.com • 501-605-8000
N E W S F RO M ATA
RONALD E. FISHER
CALENDAR of E V E N T S AFTER A YEAR of mostly online events and education, many organizations are returning to in-person conferences and classes! For more information about the
IN MEMORIAM JUNE 8, 1935 – FEBRUARY 28, 2021
FOUNDING MEMBER OF ATA
events listed below, visit association websites to learn more about health and safety guidelines.
We hope to SEE you there!
DECEMBER 11, 2021
GCSA of Arkansas Christmas Party Marriott Hotel Little Rock www.gcsaofarkansas.org
J A N U A RY 17 – 20, 2022
STMA Conference and Trade Show Savannah, GA www.stma.org
J A N U A RY 27 – 28, 2022 ATA Conference and Trade Show Hot Springs, AR arkansasturf.net
F E B R U A RY 9 – 10, 2022
GCSAA Conference San Diego, CA www.gcsaa.org
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F E AT U R E
U.S. SOD CHECKOFF IS WORKING HARD TO
“BRING GRASS TO LIFE”
S
od producers in the U.S. have been discussing the benefits of creating a sod checkoff since 1996, but only in recent years has there been more intentional discussion around how the industry can begin that process. The goal of any checkoff program is to increase product demand and/or expand markets. For the sod industry specifically, the checkoff program will seek to Bring Grass to Life and increase value and profitability per square foot. This can include programs that will increase preference for sod, promote sod to consumers nationally and conduct research to educate and inform industry regulators and politicians. Dr. Casey Reynolds, TPI Executive Director, has been a powerful voice behind the effort, rallying the industry around the benefits of an industry-wide checkoff. “The sod checkoff will benefit every producer and farm by increasing visibility and value of sod that includes driving preference for natural grass sod with both consumers and customers, and by uniting the U.S. sod industry to protect and even grow market share in the face of threats from misinformation, building codes that seek to reduce our market, grass bans, and even competitors like artificial turf and others that compete for our space,” said Reynolds.
6 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Fall 2021
H OW WO U L D A S O D C H E C KO F F I M PACT YO U? Checkoff programs are industry-funded initiatives that help improve the market position of agricultural products. A sod checkoff would help showcase the value of natural grass in several ways, including the following: he checkoff can help fight against regulations like grass bans, T fertilizer bans, invasive species lists, building codes, etc. Marketing can help combat competitive products in the marketplace. Research can help gain insights into generational attitudes towards lawns, which are currently shifting in the wrong direction, and consumer messaging can educate consumers on the benefits of natural grass. Scientific research on ecosystem services can change the narrative around lawns and other green spaces and showcase the value that natural grass brings to urban and suburban areas. A network can be established for monitoring headlines for negative media and responding to them swiftly, effectively, and in unison with one voice. Marketing tools can help farms access and promote their products locally, to achieve a consistent message across the industry. “I see the sod checkoff advancing the industry, positively impacting my own sod farm and creating a legacy for future generations to love their lawn,” said Diane Mischel with DeBuck’s Sod Farm in Michigan. “As individual farms, our message is just a voice in the crowd, but the sod checkoff will be a megaphone, funneling our message into a clear powerful channel.”
G E T T I N G T H E P RO C E S S S TA RT E D As of January 2021, a draft order that outlines the key points needed for an efficient, successful checkoff program has been written and submitted to the USDA for review. Once approved, it will be published in the U.S. Federal Register for public viewing and commentary prior to a vote in spring of 2022. If passed by a majority vote of U.S. sod producers, the program will be implemented and governed by sod producers who are nominated by fellow producers. This group will invest checkoff dollars in national and consumer marketing collateral, agronomic and consumer research, promotional kits that can be customized by growers and customer and regulator education and outreach, to help increase value and profitability per square foot of sod for the U.S. sod industry. The proposed assessment rate is 1/10 of one penny for every square foot of sod sold. With a checkoff, the U.S. sod industry can bring producers across the country together to change the narrative around the benefits of natural grass. Please consider voting yes in the upcoming referendum, so we can finally give our industry the unified voice it needs to protect and grow markets for many years to come. •
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G U E S T CO L U M N WHEN
DOING GOOD GOOD BUSINESS IS
A
By Neal Glatt, CSP, ASM
lmost every organization is facing unprecedented difficulty in recruiting and hiring employees today. Whether the hesitancy to return to work is due to elevated unemployment benefits, lack of vaccination adoption, inconsistent childcare, or family health concerns, the labor problem remains. Quite simply the standard job offering isn’t sufficient to move the needle anymore. Here’s how to change the outcome and do good in the process. In an effort to find workers, many entry-level jobs have prominently advertised wages starting at $15/hour. Others have created giant signs touting signing bonuses of $250. Some have proclaimed retirement matching. But none of these are compelling anymore. What is compelling is creating an opportunity for people to find the skills they need to literally change their lives for the better. People will sign up for an established program of mentorship that will help them achieve their potential and realize their dreams. Jobs that enable people to thrive will always find willing applicants, and it’s possible to implement in any organization. The clothing retailer Old Navy has made a commitment to hire 20,000 underprivileged youth by 2025, representing a full 5% of all new hires. Their program, called This Way ONward, has been in existence since 2007 and is active in 576 cities across the US. Through the program, Old Navy works with community partners like the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to provide youth with job mentoring opportunities. Managers interview youth and are directed to “hire for potential, not credential.” What’s more, youth receive post-hire support through coaching from managers, a job coach, and experienced peers. The results? 10-year alumni of the program have found stable employment 72% of the time compared with 55% of their peers. 68% report a significant increase in self-confidence, enabling success in life. And Old Navy hired more than 2,500 youth last ear for jobs that may have otherwise been unfilled. Clearly, doing good for the community is good business.
8 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Fall 2021
But can small teams adopt the same approach without huge budgets and years of experience? Absolutely. The first step is to make a commitment to coaching others. Investing an hour per week of time with each person is a prerequisite to successfully mentoring staff. When time and space is given towards coaching conversations without daily work pressures, a real human connection can be established, and people can start to thrive. What do coaching conversations sound like? I prefer to start with hopes and dreams. What’s your dream job? What do you want your life to look like? What do you want to provide for your family? What do these look like in six months and one year and five years and ten years? People usually don’t have all the answers upfront and they often change over months and years, but these are the motivations we’ll use to fuel growth. Next, I try to collaboratively build individualized action steps which consider the person’s unique talents, benefit on-the-job outcomes, and lead toward realization of their goals. For this step I use specialized assessments to provide self-awareness and idea generation. As a result, the coaching is always relevant, wellreceived, and applicable. Finally, we shift to driving accountability by setting shortterm commitments and ensuring that success is realized. When obstacles arise, I guide mentees through self-reflection to overcome them in the future. This is where skill training tends to enter, either directly or through third-party resources. When priorities change, we rework the process. It can be an awkward process to start, but as one of my direct reports recently told me, “Our coaching conversations are by far my favorite part of the job.” Every week I’m helping her develop skills and experience. And doing good to help someone else has become my favorite part of the job. But, as I said, doing good is good business. Those who I’ve been blessed to coach thrive in life and on the job. Their performance is higher, they contribute more positive energy, and work gets done with less stress. I’ve successfully recruited from partners including colleges, halfway houses, faith-based recovery programs, and job-training organizations. The people who participate are some of the most appreciative employees because they have a chance to significantly improve their lives. If you’re seeking your next employee, maybe it’s time to rethink the approach. Save the money from the job boards and invest the time to find community organizations like vocational schools, foster care programs, churches, homeless shelters, or after-school youth programs. If you need help training them, we’d love to partner with you with our industry-specific courses on www.GrowTheBench.com. Commit to doing good for people who want jobs but lack skills and filling positions will no longer be such a challenge. It’s just good business. •
Neal Glatt is the Managing Partner of GrowTheBench, an online training platform for the green industry. You can learn more about him and his solutions at www.NealGlatt.com.
continued
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MEASURING
Putting Green Firmness By Daniel O’Brien; Doug Karcher, Ph.D. and Mike Richardson, Ph.D.
This article was originally published in GCM, June 2021.
Putting green firmness can be a difficult metric to define and interpret. Turf scientists discuss different measurement methods and how to translate the data into management decisions.
We’ve been extremely fortunate to work with a lot of neat “gadgets and gizmos” during our research, taking all types of measurements, usually on putting greens. We’ve collected a lot of interesting data and learned quite a bit along the way, but we must confess that when it comes to firmness, we still have a lot of questions. We’ll work our way back to those, but let’s start with the basics of what we do know.
The key point in all of this is, with firmness, sometimes it’s easier to attach a number than a definition. With technology today, we can measure a lot of things, but firmness measurements on their own are just a number. If you’re going to spend the time collecting those numbers, you need to have a picture of what that number looks like at the moment of impact when the golf ball meets the putting surface.
Putting green firmness: Important and elusive
Tools for measuring putting green firmness
In and of itself, firmness isn’t a difficult concept to understand or appreciate. After all, it’s one half of the celebrated mantra of “firm and fast,” it has direct implications on playability, and the overwhelming consensus is that it’s a desirable attribute of a quality golf course. We care about firmness because it relates to ball-bounce and shot-hold capacity and the durability of the putting surface. When managed properly, firmness can be a defining hallmark of the skill and strategy required to play the game at the highest level. But where the waters become a little murky is when you try to articulate what ideal firmness looks like. We often talk about firmness not so much by what it is, but by its absence — “These greens are too soft/too hard.” Ultimately, firmness is about rewarding (and demanding) quality golf shots while preserving the integrity of the putting surface.
When it comes to producing a number you can work with, there are several options for how to do it. We’re going to separate those options into two basic camps: accelerometer measurements and depth measurements (Figures 1 and 2). There is a third “indirect” option for assessing firmness through volumetric water content (VWC), which we’ll touch on as well. Starting with accelerometer measurements, the Clegg Impact Soil Tester is the standard in turfgrass research. Originally developed by Baden Clegg, Ph.D., for testing road subgrades (1), this device has proven particularly useful for evaluating the hardness (or softness) of turfgrass surfaces. The accelerometer is contained within a weighted cylinder (aka impact hammer), which is raised to a prescribed height and dropped through a guide tube, and upon impact with the ground, everything comes to an abrupt stop. The deceleration caused by that collision with the ground
10 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Fall 2021
F I G U R E 1. Impressions made on a putting green surface by the TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter (left) and the Clegg Impact Soil Tester during the measurement process. Photos by Daniel O’Brien
is recorded through electrical impulses and reported in units of gravities (G) (7). While these units are not something most of us encounter on a daily basis, the take-home message is, the larger the number, the firmer the surface. It is important to note that there are different models and protocols for the Clegg. Different models have different hammer weights, and protocol differences typically involve variations in the height from which the hammer is dropped or the number of drops in a single location before the value is recorded. If you’re trying to compare your measurements to a reference dataset or a range of values, be sure you know the model and protocol used. The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) is a good source for more details on specific testing protocols. For turfgrass situations, the 2.25-kilogram model is very common, as is a single hammer drop per location (a 0.5-kilogram model is also available). At the time this article was written, a 2.25-kilogram Clegg could be found for around $4,500. When it comes to depth measurements, the TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter from Spectrum Technologies is similar to the Clegg in appearance, but it does not contain an accelerometer. There was an original version of the TruFirm developed by the USGA’s Matt Pringle, Ph.D., for use by USGA agronomists that did utilize an accelerometer. Spectrum Technologies’ adapted version replaced the accelerometer with what it calls a “rotary position sensor” (6).
FIGURE 2. Firmness meters such as the TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter (left) and the Clegg Impact Soil Tester use a free-falling impact hammer to measure surface firmness of turfgrass surfaces. The TruFirm directly measures penetrating depth of the hammer into the turf, while the Clegg uses an accelerometer to measure the deceleration upon impact.
The TruFirm’s impact hammer has a dome-shaped end to mimic a golf ball, and upon contact with the ground, the dome’s maximum depth of penetration is what is reported in inches. Other devices, such as the Precision Putting Green Digital Firmness Meter (Precision USA), create a similar measurement by dropping a weighted ball from a standard height and measuring the indention in the green with a digital depth gauge. We’ve even seen videos online of DIY versions replicating this technique with an Accugauge and bedknife. Whichever device is used, it is the deformation of the putting surface that is effectively being measured, so that the larger the number, the softer the surface. Current prices for the Spectrum TruFirm and Precision USA Firmness Meter come in at just under $950 and $600, respectively. On a related note, if you’re interested in firmness of bunkers or fairways or measuring compaction farther down beneath the surface, you may want to consider an additional category of devices known as penetrometers. Penetrometers measure the resistance of the soil when a probe is pushed in with steady force, but their use on putting greens is not as common as the previously mentioned devices.
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COV E R S TO RY • continued Putting green firmness and moisture This is the place to mention something that you already know intuitively: There is a meaningful relationship between putting green firmness and moisture content, and, typically, wetter greens tend to be softer (4, 5). With the prevalence and versatility of today’s portable moisture meters capable of measuring VWC within 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) on the putting surface (Figures 3 and 4), moisture meters are definitely a part of the firmness measurement conversation (3). That brings us full circle to our lingering questions, the first one being, if you’re already using a moisture meter on your greens, how much do you consider the firmness measurement to be redundant as opposed to unique information? There is a relationship between moisture and firmness, but what is the extent of that relationship? If the moisture meter reading is on the dry side, but the firmness meter gives you a
number you consider soft, how do you balance those two pieces of information and translate them into specific cultural management practices? All of this leads to another, broader question: What else, in addition to moisture, is reflected in a firmness measurement? Several years back, we put out a Twitter poll that some of you may have participated in, asking about perceptions related to putting green firmness (Figure 5). Moisture was No. 1, followed pretty closely by organic matter and thatch, with rolling intensity a distant third. For the record, there is probably not a single right answer, as they can all play a role. But even more, firmness meters can be excellent tools to assess how different cultural practices alter firmness, not so much by measuring firmness as by measuring the change in firmness. If you measure firmness before and after rolling, topdressing, aerification, applying a wetting agent, etc., and quantify the change in firmness each of those practices brings about, then
F I G U R E 3. Portable soil moisture meters such as the TDR 350 (Spectrum Technologies Inc.) are capable of estimating volumetric water content (VWC) close to the putting surface using short (“Turf”) rods and a spacer block. 12 • A R K A N S A S T U R F G R A S S • Fall 2021
you’ve really refined (and expanded) the tools available to you for managing firmness. Irrigation and evapotranspiration could certainly be included as well to help predict the response of firmness to changes in VWC throughout the day. Ultimately, you’re creating a strategic arsenal for managing firmness in a more comprehensive way — not just managing the moisture, but giving yourself an opportunity to manage all the factors that may influence firmness. Finally, it’s worth asking whether you’re measuring firmness in order to hit a specific benchmark number, or is it about monitoring consistency across all greens? Consistency is especially interesting, because it leads to other questions, such as how much putting green size, slope and hole length should factor in when attempting to optimize firmness. If you have a short par 3 with a large, flat green where players are lobbing in high-arching shots with lots of spin, and you have a long par 4 with a small, undulating green that receives a lot of low-trajectory, long-iron approach shots, how important (and appropriate) is it for the firmness measurements of those two greens to be the same number? Admittedly, there is a reluctance in asking these questions, as if it’s sacrilege to the Stimpmeter way of thinking, where consistency is paramount. But the more we work with firmness meters, the easier it is to appreciate the fundamental differences between the information they give us and what a Stimpmeter provides. Consistency makes a ton of sense for green speed because there is so much consistency with the type of shots most affected by it, i.e., putts. But there can be so much variability in the types of shots landing on greens, it’s fair to wonder whether we are becoming too beholden to a firmness number just because we can measure it. For those of you currently using firmness meters, practically speaking, how different do firmness measurements have to be before it makes a difference in what you see when a ball lands on your greens? Just because two numbers are statistically different doesn’t necessarily mean they are appreciably different in terms of ball bounce and putting green damage. The bottom line is, it all comes back to matching firmness measurements with what you see happening with your own eyes as shots land, and determining what you consider the groundtruth data for firmness measurements to be.
Real-world applications One of the best lines regarding all the technology, measurement and equipment stuff we write about in “What the Tech?” came from one of our own, Mike Richardson, Ph.D., as we prepared for our “Gadgets and Gizmos” seminar at the Golf Industry Show. “You have to remember,” he said, “in our research, we use all of these devices for documenting, but the superintendents we’re speaking to have to use them for decision-making.” And while we’ve always tried to appreciate that important distinction, firmness is definitely the most difficult one to grasp from the decisionmaking side of the coin.
FIGURE 4. Turf rods on their own measure to a depth of 1.5 inches (3.81 centimeters) (4A), and when used with a spacer block, measurements can be made at 1.0 inches (2.54 centimeters) (4B) and 0.5 inches (1.27 centimeters) (4C).
FIGURE 5. Results of a Twitter poll conducted by Mike Richardson, Ph.D., gauging perceptions regarding putting green firmness. Fall 2021
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COV E R S TO RY • continued
If there’s anyone out there who wants to talk firmness, please drop us a line. We’ll continue to study firmness, but for that research to be truly meaningful, it needs to be meaningful to you. Ultimately, turfgrass research needs to better understand how a firmness measurement might change the way you manage your greens — if it leads you to do something different than you otherwise would have without it. •
Daniel O’Brien is a former program technician and current Ph.D. student, Doug Karcher is a turfgrass soil specialist and professor, and Mike Richardson is a professor in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
L I T E R AT U R E C I T E D 1. Clegg, B. 1976. An impact testing device for in situ base course evaluation. Australian Road Research Board Conference Proc 8(8). 2. Karcher, D., T. Nikolai and R. Calhoun. 2001. Golfers’ perceptions of greens speeds vary. Golf Course Management 69(3):57-60. 3. Karcher, D., M. Richardson and D. O’Brien. 2019. Use moisture meters for greater efficiency and healthier turf. Golf Course Management 87(7):40, 42, 44, 46. 4. Linde, D.T., L.J. Stowell, W. Gelernter and K. McAuliffe. 2011. Monitoring and managing putting green firmness on golf courses. Applied Turfgrass Science 8(1):1-9.
5. Stowell, L J., P. Gross, W. Gelernter and M. Burchfield. 2009. Measuring greens firmness using the USGA TruFirm and the Clegg Soil Impact Tester at Victoria Country Club: A preliminary study. Online. PACE Turf Super Journal. PACE Turf LLC, San Diego (https://www.paceturf.org/ PTRI/Documents/0901_sj.pdf). 6. Spectrum Technologies Inc. 2013. FieldScout TruFirm Turf Firmness Meter product manual, Item Nos. 6490, 6490B and 6491. Spectrum Technologies, Aurora, Ill. 7. Thoms, A.W., J.T. Brosnan, J.C. Sorochan and A.M. Saxton. 2016. Exploring relationships in surface-hardness data collected with different instruments. Journal of Testing and Evaluation 44(2):945-951.
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U N I V E R S I TY O F A R KA N SA S T UR F TEA M
INDEX OF A DV E RT I S E R S
Mike Richardson, Ph.D. Professor 479-575-2860 mricha@uark.edu
Agra Turf, Inc........................................................................................... 14 www.agrainc.com
John Boyd, Ph.D. Visiting Assistant Professor Cooperative Extension Service Little Rock 501-671-2224 Jwb019@uark.edu
ChemTrade Turf, LLC........................................................... Back Cover chemtradeturf.com
Beam Clay................................................................................................. 14 www.BEAMCLAY.com
Dave’s Sale and Service..........................................................................7 www.turfeagle.com Jackson Sand...............................................................................................7 www.jacksonsand.com
John H. McCalla Jr. Program Technician III 479-575-5033 jmccall@uark.edu
Leading Edge Communications......................................................... 15 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Modern Turf, Inc........................................................................................9 www.modernturf.com
Eric DeBoer Program Technician / Ph.D. Student ejdeboer@uark.edu
Progressive Turf Equipment Inc...........................................................7 www.progressiveturfequip.com
Rhiannon de la Rosa – M.S. Student
The Sod Store.............................................................................................9 sodpartners.com
Daniel O’Brien – Ph.D. Student
The Turfgrass Group...............................................Inside Front Cover www.theturfgrassgroup.com
Thomas Walton – M.S. Student
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