PTC Raises Funds for Scholarship and Research

On June 8, the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) presented a check in the amount of $100,000 to the Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State University. Of the total contribution, research activity will receive $90,000 and $10,000 will be allocated to scholarships. Since 1955, the PTC has provided in excess of $2,000,000 to support the work at Penn State.

In support of PTC’s fundraising efforts, nearly 3,450 people participated in educational conferences, tournaments and trade shows organized by the organization throughout 2004 and 2005.

John Chassard, director of grounds at the Lehigh Country Club, Allentown, Pa., and president of PTC said, “These activities are vital to supporting PTC’s mission of providing education opportunities, as well as generating revenue for turfgrass research. I commend all those in the industry who participate in the events sponsored by PTC and who also contribute to PTC’s efforts through the payment of dues. It is this outstanding support that allows us to keep our commitment to the ongoing research at Penn State.”

The Penn State Golf Turf Conference, held by PTC in November, brought 685 attendees to the Nittany Lion Inn, State College, Pa., where they received the most recent research results on golf course management. A job fair sponsored by the Penn State Turf Club during the conference provided an excellent opportunity for students in Penn State’s Turfgrass Program to network with firms in the golf industry.

PTC’s three turf conferences and trade shows held in the eastern, western and northeastern regions are considered by many to be the premier turfgrass events in the state. The 2005 Conferences highlighted the latest innovations and newest turfgrass research and gave participants the opportunity to gain credits for their state pesticide licensing requirements.

Held in January, the Eastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show at the Valley Forge Convention Center and Radisson Hotel, King of Prussia, Pa., was attended by about 1,245 people, and had over 100 exhibitors over a three-day period.
 
At the one-day Northeastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, held in January at The Woodlands Inn and Resort, Wilkes Barre, Pa., there were nearly 240 attendees.

The three-day Western PA Turf Conference and Trade Show was held in March at the Greater Pittsburgh ExpoMart/Radisson Hotel. The tradeshow featured over 100 exhibitors and over 1,275 people attended. 

PTC’s Calendar for 2005 and 2006 includes these events:

• Penn State Golf Turf Conference, Nov. 15 to 17, 2005, Nittany Lion Inn, State College
• Eastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, Jan. 10 to 12, 2006, Valley Forge Convention Center, King of Prussia
• Northeastern PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, Jan. 26, 2006, The Woodlands Inn & Resort, Wilkes-Barre
• Western PA Turf Conference and Trade Show, Feb. 28 to March 2, 2006, Greater Pittsburgh ExpoMart, Monroeville 

More information on these and other activities can be found at www.paturf.org. 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.