President’s Update

Time Flies when they’re Having Fun

As another summer slips away, we instinctively dig deep within ourselves finding the gear that powers us through the “second season” that is autumn in the Commonwealth. Though we have a less severe relationship the sun during this time of year, seasonably stiff winds and high skies will keep us on our toes as we count down to the day when the irrigation pipes are dry. Despite the delayed sunrises and temperatures that flirt with frost, golfers will still show up en masse as our summer help steps onto the school busses that seemingly double your commute time to work. Workload will increase as acorns and leaves make their journey back to the earth. With any luck we will all be graciously granted a few moments here and there to reflect on another busy season. But for the wisdom accrued via the rigors of every “normal” summer, I hope this season presented valuable resources for the years that lie ahead. With any luck the past few months provided the opportunity to test a new cultural procedure, mentor a young employee, or retool your operation for the better.

Hopefully you were on the giving and receiving end of pats on the back and gracious handshakes. If you are so lucky, invaluable memories created this summer with family and friends outshined it all. Hopefully you were able to step away for a day to experience Turf Field Days held at the H.O. Smith Botanical Garden and Joseph P Valentine Turf Research Center. This year’s event boasted a robust crowd who enjoyed real time research they could take home to their properties. If you haven’t experienced a Turf Field Day, please consider attending or sending your skilled employees as the broad spectrum of information offered appeals to so much we do on our properties. Though we won’t gather for the Annual Penn State Turf Conference, the Thomas Watschke Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Penn State Golf Courses brought us together to honor the legacy of Dr. Watschke.

Looking ahead to winter, be on the lookout for our usual slate of regional conferences that serve so many of our members. As always, thank you for your continued support of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council.

Tom Fisher

2021 PTC President