From the MTC Executive Director
The Only Guarantee that Turfgrass Specialists in Maryland Can Depend On is
Change!!
My
dad always had a saying: “If you don’t like the weather, just wait 20 minutes and it will change.” This is not only often true of the weather but everything else we deal with. Many businesses deal with the economy, deal with commerce, deal with worries of manufacturing. Being turfgrass professionals, we get to deal with all of these and Mother Nature, too.
Recently, we were all scheduled to enjoy a great day playing golf with our friends and colleagues, followed by a feast of fall blue crabs, which are always delicious. This golf tournament was in honor of one of our founding members and a well-known golf superintendent – Angie Cammorata. However, after 45+ years, when final golfers and sponsor numbers were due to be submitted to
the golf course, we were light on golfers and severely missing sponsors. Since the reason for this function was to raise funds for the University of Maryland turfgrass research, the decision was made that the possibility of losing significant funds was too great, so the tournament was cancelled. For those who had signed up, thank you. Perhaps it is time after 45+ years to try something else to raise funds for research that we ALL drastically depend upon to keep our businesses on top of the competition. What would you like to do that would be fun, where you can interact with other turfgrass professionals and we can make the required funds to continue to support the research that supports all of us? Think it over and share your ideas either by email, or give me or any member of the MTC board of directors a call. Another major change is our MTC vice president, Geoff Rinehart, being chosen to fill the large shoes of Dr. Kevin Mathias, who after 38 years retired from the IAA at the University. Kevin is going to be hard to replace, BUT I think if anyone can, Geoff is the man for the job. Keep an eye on where the IAA goes from here. Remember, the MTC is only as good as we all (YOU and ME) make it. Get your hotel reservations, and register for the M-A-T-E Conference and Trade Show, January 29 – February 1, 2018. See you there.
Vernon W. Cooper MTC Executive Director 8
MTC Turf News