PTC Announces 2006 Leadership

John Chassard, director of grounds at the Lehigh Country Club, Allentown, Pa., will serve as president of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) for 2006. On Jan. 1, Chassard will officially start his second term as president, having been a member of the board since 1993, and a member of PTC since 1987.

Vice President of the organization will be Jeffrey Fry, Lebanon Country Club, Lebanon, Pa. and Secretary-Treasurer will be Matt Shaffer, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.  Jerred Golden, Hersheys Mill Golf Club and Landscape Co., West Chester, Pa., is the immediate past president. The officers serve one-year terms. Shaffer replaces Terry Laurent who moved out of Pennsylvania.

Chassard says he will continue to work to raise awareness of the Penn State Turfgrass Research Fund and its important “Growing the Game” program, which raises funds to support research. He is a 1984 graduate of Penn State.

Joining the PTD board of director are Sam Stimmel, Profile Products, Washington, Pa. and Mark DelSantro, Syngenta Professional Products, Glenmoore, Pa., whose terms will expire in 2008. Those continuing service on the board for 2006 include:

• Darrin Batisky, Chartiers Country Club, Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Thomas Bettle, Birdsfoot Golf Club, Leechburg, Pa.
• Daniel Douglas, Reading Phillies Baseball Club, Reading, Pa.
• James Loke, Bent Creek Country Club, Lititz, Pa.
• Richard Pagett, Centre Hills Country Club, State College, Pa.
• Scott Schukraft, Huntsville Golf Club, Shavertown, Pa.
• Daniel Douglas, Reading Phillies Baseball Club, Reading, Pa.

The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council promotes professionalism in all facets of the turfgrass industry by providing educational opportunities, grants and support for education and research projects, encouraging future industry leadership through scholarship and awards, and promoting interaction with government agencies, private institutions and the general public. Members include golf course superintendents, owners/operators of lawn care services, nurserymen, landscapers, sod growers, sports field managers and industrial representatives. For more information, contact their website at www.paturf.org.