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2020 Year In Review from TNTurfTwitter
Each new year brings a time of reflection on the one just passed, and for many, sets the stage for the goals and plans of the one newly begun. It’s ironic that just one year ago, so many entered 2020 with great expectations of personal and professional growth, lofty goals, maybe a little travel, fun and excitement, only to be reminded that our best-laid plans are at the whims of mother nature, fate, (mis)fortune… whatever you want to call it.
While none of us anticipated the path 2020 would send us down, the great spirit of innovation and resilience in the turf community has never been more evident than the last 12 months. From professors to distributors to golf course superintendents, sports field managers and their crews, each individual has adapted and pushed forward through difficult and uncertain times.
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While we’re continuing to hone our response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic challenges, it is encouraging to reflect on how our industry has overcome so many obstacles to continue our essential operations.
Let’s take a look back on the year that was through the lens of #TNTurfTwitter
The year starts off right with an important update from Dr. Brosnan.
Tennessee turfgrass professionals came together for the annual conference in Murfreesboro.
University of Tennessee Turfgrass students celebrate their accomplishments at GIS.
Your 2020 TTA Board began the year with committee assignments and big plans for the coming year.
In a sign of what was to come, PoaDay was the first Tennessee Turf event cancelled and converted to an online event.
While many were still scrambling to find ways to continue their work, leaders from TTA, TGCSA, TVSTMA, TGF, TGA and TNPGA came together tolobby state and local decision-makers to allow turfgrass managementemployees to continue to work, and to keep golf courses open.
Despite all in-person learning coming to an abrupt halt, the UT Turf Team did not rest. In just a few short weeks, they created TN TurfTuesdays, a series of timely online classes for turf managers in thestate, which included CEUs and pesticide credits.
TGCSA’s Rounds 4 Research marched forward. Despite changes to golf course operations, many courses participated and over $18,000 was raisedfor turfgrass research and education in Tennessee.
The grass doesn’t stop growing, and researchers find ways to forge ahead amid “the new normal.”
Like turfgrass, weather is oblivious to the effects of a pandemic. Staying on schedule with preventative products remains essential.
After what seemed like decades, sports seasons began or resumed on fields across the state.
Though we had high hopes of an in-person event, the decision was made to conduct an all-virtual TTA conference. While the format may havechanged, the top-tier education did not!
Wrapping up 2020 research by sharing findings.
While we were happy to bid 2020 a not-sofond farewell, Tennessee turfgrass managers are sure to greet 2021 with the optimism and ingenuity they demonstrate in the face of any obstacle.
