Tennessee Turfgrass Association 54th Annual Conference & Tradeshow

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, JEFF MCMANUS

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association Annual Conference and Trade Show is designed exclusively for the turf professional including golf course superintendents, sports field managers, lawn care operators, landscapers, sod producers, grounds managers and anyone involved in the turf industry.

Message from the President

Since 1965, the Tennessee Turfgrass Association has held strong to its core mission: To promote the turfgrass industry through education, scholarship and research. As we celebrate our 54th anniversary, we eagerly invite you to join us at this year’s Conference and Tradeshow at the beautiful Embassy Suites Murfreesboro. This year’s conference features an excellent education program, a full tradeshow floor, plus our annual awards, recognitions and a keynote address by Jeff McManus, author of “Growing Weeders into Leaders – Leadership Lessons from the Ground Level.”

Come Grow with Us,

Jason Pooler, 2019 TTA President

Location

The Embassy Suites Hotel in Murfreesboro is located at 1200 Conference Center Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. You can reach the hotel by calling 615-890-4464.

More Information

For more information, call the association office at 615-928-7001, email info@ttaonline.org or visit ttaonline.org.

Monday, January 6th

Turfgrass Science

8:00 a.m. –8:05 a.m. Front Row Tickets Thoughts on why we choose front row seats for some things and not others Chris Sykes, Toqua Golf Club

8:05 a.m. –8:50 a.m. Everyone is a Sports Turf Manager: What You Need to Know About Safety and Performance Everyone is eventually asked for input on managing a playing surface used for sports. Learn about the latest techniques to manage sports turf that minimize pest invasion to maximize both safety and performance. Dr. John Sorochan, University of Tennessee

8:50 a.m.–9:35 a.m. Growing Turf in Low Light, Shaded Environments Compromised lighting can negatively affect turfgrass on golf courses, sports fields, and lawns. Learn the latest strategies for managing turf in low light and shaded environments to maximize quality and reduce disease, weed, and insect pests. Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University

Break

9:45 a.m. –10:30 a.m. What is Dead May Never Die? Resistance issues coupled with erratic weather has made weed management in Tennessee more challenging than ever before. Get the latest information on managing problematic weeds of turfgrass. Dr. Jim Brosnan, University of Tennessee

10:30 a.m. –11:15 a.m. From Goats to Triplexes: The History of Mowing Mowing is an integral cultural practice for managing pest-free turf. Learn about the evolution of mowing practices over time that affect the industry today. Dr. Brandon Horvath, University of Tennessee

11:15 a.m. –12:00 p.m. University of Tennessee Student Internship Feature Undergraduate students in the University of Tennessee Turfgrass Program speak about lessons learned managing turfs on internships across the globe. Conlan Burbrink & Rob Grindering, University of Tennessee

Professional Development

1:30 p.m. –5:00 p.m. Turning Weeders into Leaders This engaging and interactive session will discuss novel approaches for motivating turf and landscape maintenance crews to conduct their work with enhanced morale, professionalism, and ownership Jeff McManus, University of Mississippi

Annual Meetings

5:00 p.m. –5:30 p.m. TGCSA and TVSTMA Annual Meetings

Tuesday, January 7th

Breakout Sessions

Golf Turf

8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. USGA Year In Review Learn about the latest issues affecting golf course superintendents in the southeastern United States this past season. Addison Barden, United States Golf Association

8:45 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. The Role of Performance Data in Golf Course Management Analytics of golf performance are readily available. Learn how these data can help optimize golf course management practices. Dr. Brandon Horvath University of Tennessee

Break

9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. The Good and The Bad of Hosting the Tour Championship Learn about the agronomic and pest management practices used in preparation for one of the PGA Tour’s most marquee events. Ralph Kepple, CGCS East Lake Golf Club

10:45 a.m. – 11: 15 a.m. Behind the Scenes at Troubador Get a behind-the-scenes look at the construction of Troubador Golf and Field Club, a new Discovery Land property in Arrington. Thurston Farrar Troubador Golf & Field Club

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Knowledge is Power An overview of recent changes to the rules of golf that affect golf course superintendents. Chad Anderson Allison Brown Tennessee Golf Association

Sports Turf

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Baseball Field Management Panel An interactive discussion on the latest cultural and chemical trends used to manage playing surfaces used for baseball at all levels. Tom Nielsen, Louisville River Bats. TJ Derrick, University of Memphis. Dan Bergstrom, Houston Dynamo. John Wagnon, City of Franklin. Moderators: Bill Marbet and Ryan Storey

Break

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Renovation of Smokies Park Learn about the recent renovation of Smokies Park, home of the Tennessee Smokies. Eric Taylor, Tennessee Smokies

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Sports Turf Rehab Wear areas are a continual challenge on sports fields at all levels. Learn the effective strategies for rehabilitating worn areas on your fields. Dan Bergstrom, Houston Dynamo.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Next Level Field Testing at UT Tennessee is home to the leaders in testing the performance and safety of sports surfaces. Learn about the latest tests available and how they can benefit you! Kyley Dickson, Ph.D. University of Tennessee.

Assistants Forum

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Assistant Superintendent Leadership Workshop This is an in-depth session tailored for assistant superintendents looking to advance their careers through leadership and professional development. Dr. Aaron Patton, Purdue University. Ryan Cummings, Elcona Country Club.

Workshop

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Equipment Managers Workshop This is a hands-on workshop designed to provide an overview of common issues faced by professionals managing equipment used for turfgrass management. Danny Ford Mountain Top Golf and Light Club.

Tradeshow with Lunch on the Tradeshow Floor

12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Awards Banquet

4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cocktail Function

5:00 p.m.* – 7:00 p.m. Award Ceremony with Keynote Speaker

Wednesday, January 8th

Breakout Sessions

Golf Turf

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Titans of Industry Panel “Longevity in the Industry” This panel discussion will feature legendary golf course superintendents in Tennessee discussing how they achieved longevity in the industry. David Stone, The Honors Course (retired). Joe Kennedy, The Grove. Jim Thomas, Grassroots. Moderator: Chris Sykes.

Break

9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Uncovering the Architectural History of Your Golf Course An entertaining and informative presentation on how to trace the history of your golf course. Resurrecting the forgotten past can foster pride in the club among members and staff. It can also aid in sympathetic restoration of the layout and assist superintendents in such agronomic practices as tree removal as well as recapturing lost green surface, fairway areas and abandoned bunkers. Anthony Pioppi, Seth Raynor Society Renovation Report Podcast

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The Superintendent’s Role in Planning and Executing at Successful Renovation There are no mulligans in golf course renovation. Learn about the important role golf course superintendents play in modern golf course renovation. Kris Spence, Spence Golf Inc.

Sports Turf

8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. Growing More Than Grass – How to Grow Your Team Having labor issues? Trouble with your team? Leading sports field managers in Tennessee will discuss strategies they have used to develop their maintenance teams. Ryan Storey, Vanderbilt University. Eric Taylor, Tennessee Smokies. Daniel Ruggiero, Gameday Athletics. Moderators: Bill Marbet and Darren Seybold.

Break

9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Bridging the Gap Between Owners and Contractors Interested in constructing or renovating fields? Learn the latest information for experts in athletic field design and construction. Ron Bargatze, Hewlett Spencer, LLC. Ryan Moriarity, Sports Turf Specialties. Moderators: Bill Marbet and Ryan Storey.

10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Transitioning Nissan Stadium from a Football Field to Concert Venue Stadiums have become multi-purpose venues. See how Nissan Stadium is transformed from a football field to a concert venue. Ryan Moriarity, Sports Turf Specialties.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. One Field, One Season Practice and play on the same surface? Learn how staff at the University of North Carolina dealt with this situation and excelled. Casey Carrick

Workshop

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Irrigation Workshop This is a hands-on session covering design, install, and maintenance of irrigation technology used for golf courses, sports fields, and landscape to reduce chemical inputs for pest management. Ashley Wilkinson, Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Pesticide Licensing

8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Training for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Pesticide Certification Exam Learn All You Need for the Category 3 Exams Required to be a Certified Applicator in TN. Dr. Darrell Hensley, University of Tennessee.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Take the Exam to Become a Certified Pesticide Applicator in TN. Dr. Darrell Hensley University of Tennessee.