A letter from the Editor…

‘Happy Trails 2020!’

A fitting farewell indeed. While the events of 2020 were supportive of rounds played, casualties were suffered in numerous sectors of turfgrass and beyond. The year 2020 was a juggernaut of unprecedented and compounding stresses; not excluding: social/political, environmental (air quality/drought), professional (staffing/spectator/participant shortages), health (mental/physical), and financial (recession) hardship. The pandemic response grounded most households in a deep understanding of why ‘staycations’, devoid of visits by friends or extended-family, were never popular.

Yet, what was certain in this jumble of uncertainty was that the turfgrass hardly noticed. Similarly, our state government hadn’t noticed the turf was oblivious to the shutdown. At least not until industry stakeholders and associations collaborated to successfully petition Governor Wolf for essential operation status (see ‘United Front’ by P. Ramsey in Summer 2020 issue). As for 2021, turfgrass and its recreational benefactors will be rejuvenated and right back at it. We too will hope for an early spring, overlooking the demands and toll that will undoubtedly be exacted on our equipment, resources, staff, etc. Why? Because it beats the alternative and proves worthwhile. It’s why we’re here and what makes us, us.

Speaking of, I may not even know you (and we should fix that). Yet I know that when faced with anything from a minor tricky pickle to a majorly stubborn and insurmountable problem, you’ll do what you always do and what other turfgrass managers do in the same circumstance: Whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to finish the job and make it appear to have all gone swimmingly. This is the trait that makes a turfgrass manager a turfgrass manager, or an assistant ready. It’s both uncanny and unequivocal.

Of course, you’re also meticulous and demand excellence from everyone around you. Not unlike a college basketball coach; e.g., Roy Williams of UNC… wait a minute! But in all seriousness, I speak for our entire turfgrass science faculty when I say we greatly appreciate your readership, scientific curiosity, support of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council, and professional mentorship of our students. Thank you. Please do not hesitate to write or call with suggestions for how we can make Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine better. Thank you again.

Wishing you fabulous turf and sport in 2021 —

Max Schlossberg, Ph.D.

Editor, Pennsylvania Turfgrass Magazine