2023 Michigan Turfgrass Conference
January 10th - 12th
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858
Hotel Room Block Code: MTGF011023
Hotel Room Block Ends December 19th
Cost is $139.00 per night plus taxes
*Free Parking is available
*Lunch provided on Wednesday
*Vendor Halftime Show Wednesday, January 11th 4-6:30pm
(Appetizers Provided-Cash Bar) on Wednesday
2023 Education tRACK sCHEDULE
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Golf
12pm MSU Turf Team and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Conference Welcome and Update - Dr. Kevin Frank and Carey Mitchelson
12:30pm Do's and don’ts of organic matter sampling on sand based rootzones - Dr. Roch Gaussoin, Univ. of Nebraska
1pm How to grow your network and mental health - Trent Manning, Reel Turf Techs Podcast
2pm Trends in golf course PGR use - Aaron Hathaway, NuFarm
3pm Understanding annual bluegrass weevil - Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University
4pm MTF Annual Meeting
Lawn and Grounds
12pm FIFA World Cup 2026 Research Update - Ryan Bearrs, MSU
1pm White grub management: new products and approaches - Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University
2pm Pushing back preemergence applications for better late season control - Dr. Roch Gaussoin, Univ. of Nebraska
3pm Managing rising expectations with limited resources - Todd Rajala, Oakland University
4pm MTF Annual Meeting
Equipment Managers
12:00-12:30 MiGCSA EM membership updates - Ben Beard
12:30-1:00 Shop Transformations - Mitch Hunt Traverse City Country Club
1:00-2:00 How to grow your network and mental health - Trent Manning Reel Turftechs Podcast (golf session)
2:00 - 4:00 Basic wiring and Electrical diagnostic w/ hands on demonstration - Ben Beard American Dunes Golf Club
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Golf
8am Reflections on 35 years of turfgrass research - Dr. Roch Gaussoin, Univ. of Nebraska
9am Soilborne diseases: pathogens punching putting greens below the belt - Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University
10am Managing surface firmness on putting greens - Dan Dinelli, North Shore Country Club
11am Pathology Research Update - Dr. Joe Vargas, MSU
1130am Turf Physiology Research Update - Dr. Emily Holm, MSU
12pm Lunch
1pm Research update - Dr. Trey Rogers, MSU
1:30pm GCSAA Updates - Steve Hammon, Traverse City Golf and CC; Shane Conroy, GCSAA
2pm Creeping bentgrass growth in sand-based rootzones with or without biochar - Dan Dinelli, North Shore Country Club
3pm Spray equipment: avoiding common mistakes and how technologies help - Ken Rost, Frost Inc. Spray Technology Products
4pm Trade show
Lawn and Grounds
8am Fall armyworm: is this the future of turf insect management? - Dr. Doug Richmond, Purdue University
9am Novel Kentucky bluegrass genetics cuts mowing requirements in half - Christian Baldwin, Scotts
10am Organic weed management: is it possible? - Dr. Roch Gaussoin, Univ. of Nebraska
11am Sometimes the blame lies beneath the surface - Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University
12pm Lunch
1pm Controlling troublesome patches that don't clown around - Dr. Lee Miller, Purdue University
2pm Pesticides: perception vs reality - Dr. Joe Vargas, MSU
3pm Weed management update - Dr. Thom Nikolai, MSU
Sports Fields
8am Essential tools and products for maintaining baseball and softball diamonds - Brian Hall, Sylvania Recreation District
9am Seed selection for sports fields - Ben Boehme, Landmark Turf and Native Seed
10am It's natures time: organic fertilizers for sports fields - Kirk Hardin, Healthy Grow
11am Topdressing - what should I use - Dr. Trey Rogers, MSU
11:30am Using GDD's in turf management - Jake Kilby, MSU
11:45am Sod on Plastic Research Update: Developing the temporary indoor playing surface for FIFA World Cup 2026 - Jackie Guevara, MSU
12pm Lunch
1pm Properly amending your infield - Ron Martin, Marco Clay
2pm Proper maintenance of artificial turf fields for longevity - James Hlavity, Pioneer Athletics
3pm Panel Discussion
Assistant Superintendents
8am Career Preparation - Shane Conroy, GCSAA
9am Project planning and planning as a new superintendent - Andrew Christensen and Alex Lincoln
10am Finance, budgeting, and planning - Ross Miller, CC of Detroit
11am Interview tips and taking the next step - Panel Discussion - Tim Matty, Drew Boike, and Mike Montney
12pm Lunch
Equipment Managers
8:00 - 9:00 Maximizing Efficiency: Getting the most out of you day - Mitch Hunt TCCC
9:00 - 10:00 TBD
10:00 - 12:00 Tips and Tricks - Trent Manning Reel Turftechs podcast
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:30 Round Table discussion and open forum - Ben Beard American Dunes Golf Club
2:30 - 3:00 TBD
3:00 - 4:00 Spray Equipment: avoiding common mistakes and how technology helps - Ken Rost Frost Inc. (Golf Session)
Thursday, Jan. 12
Golf
8am Winterkill Roundtable: Dr. Kevin Frank will serve as moderator for this session that will present research from the WinterTurf research project and engage superintendents to share ideas on what they've been doing to try and prevent winterkill throughout the year.
9am Not the Turfgrass Talk Show - hosted by Dr. Thom Nikolai. Dr. Nikolai will serve as moderator for this session that will cover topics such as fairway rolling, golf course irrigation projects, trends in annual bluegrass seedhead control programs, new putting green construction technologies and more.
Sport Fields, Lawns and Grounds
8am Athletic field disease review: pythium, patches, and plant health - Dr. Paul Giordano, Harrells
9am Try something new: infield transition from calcined to expanded shale - Keith Winter, Fort Wayne Tincaps
10am Painting tips and tricks and GPS sprayers - James Hlavaty, Pioneer Athletics
11am Armyworm and sod webworm ID and management - Aaron Hathaway, NuFarm
Credit Information:
MDARD PESTICIDE RECERTIFICATION CREDITS (Pending approval)
Tuesday January 10 — 3 Credits
(3A, 3B, 6, Commercial Core)
Wednesday January 11 — 6 Credits
(3A, 3B, 6, Commercial Core)
Thursday January 12 — 3 Credits
(3A, 3B, 6, Commercial Core)
GCSAA Education Pts information will be available soon.