FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MR. CARL SCHWARTZKOPF DONATES $500,000 TO THE HANCOCK TURFGRASS RESEARCH CENTER

On Friday, December 7, 2012, Mr. Carl Schwartzkopf gave a gift to the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center at Michigan State University in the amount of $100,000 to be placed into an endowment for eternal support of the HTRC lab as well as an additional $400,000 for expansion, modernization, and equipment. These funds will be used to update the pre-existing laboratory with growth chambers, an on-site gas and water lab bench, and microscopes, all of which improving functionality, limiting contamination and increasing overall research efficiency.  

In 1969, Carl received a certificate in Turfgrass Management from MSU. In 1971, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Crops and Soil Science, and received a Master’s of Science degree in 1989. In 1968 he did his summer internship at Oakland Hills Country Club with the late Ted Woehrle and returned to Oakland Hills after graduation as an assistant golf course superintendent.  In 1971, he joined the USGA Green Section as the Mid-Continent agronomist and in 1976 he was appointed Director of the

Mid-Continent. In 1979, he was transferred to USGA headquarters in Far Hills, NJ to assume the responsibilities as the Assistant National Director. In 1981, he returned to Michigan to work with McKay Golf Properties and assumed responsibility for the development of Timber Ridge Golf Course in East Lansing, Michigan. Upon completion of his master’s degree, he accepted a teaching position in the golf course management department at Horry-Georgetown Technical College in Conway, SC and later taught in the Professional Golf Management program at Coastal Carolina University in Conway. Upon retiring, he ran for County Councilman, was elected, and then re-elected twice.

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would like to thank Carl for his gift to the Turfgrass Industry.

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) is a nonprofit organization which supports research at Michigan State University to find better turfgrasses and better methods of turfgrass maintenance. Incorporated in 1957, the MTF has achieved success in fulfilling these needs through research and education. Located at the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the Michigan State University campus, the MTF continues its successes in these areas by working closely with the University and the industry.

Our membership reflects the full diversity of turfgrass professionals including homeowners, golf courses, seed and sod growers, municipalities, parks and recreational areas, lawn and landscape contractors, sports turf managers, athletic associations, cemetery associations, and other facets of the industry. Membership is offered to anyone interested in the betterment and enjoyment of turfgrass.

The mission of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is:
"To work in partnership with Michigan State University, supporting ongoing programs in research, education, and extension in the area of professional turfgrass management that will benefit all individuals who manage turfgrasses or derive pleasure from the results of such management."

The MSU Department of Plant Pathology has created a Web site intended to help you learn the key identification characteristics of common and not-so-common turfgrass diseases found in Michigan and the midwest. Correct identification is the first step to proper management.We have created biography pages for each disease to help you better understand why diseases invade. The biography pages include information on habitat, alternative common names (AKA), look-a-likes, management practices and chemical controls. Please visit msuturfdiseases.net to utilize this invaluable tool.

Dr. Emily Merewitz, currently an assistant professor of turfgrass physiology at Michigan State University, has received the Musser Award of Excellence for 2012. The award was in recognition of her doctoral work completed at Rutgers, The State University of NJ and consists of a $30k stipend. The Musser Foundation was created in 1969 in memory of Professor H. Burton Musser, who headed the Turfgrass Management program at Penn State University for three decades. The foundation’s mission is to generously support exceptional students destined to become the leaders of the turfgrass industry.

Dr. Joseph Vargas, Professor of Plant Pathology at MSU, was recently awarded a Lifetime Service Award by Ohio State University and the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation. T. Karl Danneberger, OSU professor and former graduate student of Vargas said “The Award was last given to Dr. William Daniels, Professor at Purdue University, I believe in 1985, so as an organization it is quite a special award. It recognizes lifelong support and contribution to the turfgrass industry not only in Ohio, but nationally and internationally.” Brian Laurent, Associate Director of the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, added that, “it was awarded to him to honor and thank him for his service to the turfgrass community in Ohio and beyond.” The plaque reads: Special Recognition for Lifetime Service to the Ohio Turfgrass Community. Vargas was very surprised and honored at the presentation.

          Clem Wolfrom, who marked his 50th year as golf course superintendent of the Detroit Golf Club in March 2012, announced his plan to retire on March 1, 2013, and celebrated with a luncheon in his honor on December 5, 2012, at the Detroit Golf Club.   
          Mr. Wolfrom is a second generation golf course superintendent. His father, Clarence Wolfrom, was the golf course superintendent at the Maple Lane Golf Club in Sterling Heights, Michigan for 54 years. Following his graduation from Michigan State University with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture, Clem served as the golf course superintendent at the Dearborn Country Club for six years before coming to the Detroit Golf Club in 1962. With his passion for the game and detailed record keeping, Mr. Wolfrom has overseen the maintenance, nurturing and continuous improvements that have made the Detroit Golf Club’s North and South courses great tests of golf and a pleasure to play by its members and guests.
          During his long and distinguished career in golf course management, Mr. Wolfrom has been active in various professional associations related to the golf course management industry. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation for 12 years and was president for 2 years. He served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Golf Course Superintendent’s Association for 22 years and was president for 4 years.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Regional Turfgrass Association for 3 years and was instrumental in forming the Founders Society for the Michigan Turfgrass Association that includes golf course superintendents in metropolitan Detroit and Windsor, Canada.
          Detroit Golf Club is one of America’s great golf and country clubs. The beautifully wooded 219 acres located within the city limits of Detroit contain two Donald Ross designed 18-hole courses and a rambling Old English style clubhouse designed by Albert Kahn that are a standing tribute to the prominent group of forward-thinking Detroiters who formed the Club in 1899. Horton Smith, one of golf’s great legends and winner of the inaugural Masters Tournament served as head golf professional from 1946 to 1963. The tradition and heritage that was established in those years has been preserved through a diversified membership that continues to carry forward those venerable traditions.                                       

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
PO Box 27156
Lansing, MI 48909-7156
517.392.5003 | Fax: 989.936.5911
miturfgrass@gmail.com 
mtfconference.org
teetimes4turf.com