Recent Event

59th Annual TTA Conference & Tradeshow

The 59th Annual TTA Conference and Trade Show was held at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro on January 6–8, 2025. TTA members from across the state and beyond gathered to reflect on a season closed and prepare to embark again on another season with new knowledge, connections and tools. This year’s conference upheld the high education programming standard continuously set by the TTA Board, staff and Educational Advisors.

Tennessee Turfgrass professionals continue to show up to learn, grow and make connections that will not only enhance their own careers, but also the broader industry.

TTA President Ryan Storey kicks off the conference with a welcome.

A packed house for this stellar educational lineup.

Keynote speaker Mike Keith was an inspiring start. Pictured with Ryan Storey and Bill Marbet.

Thank you to our sponsors !

Thank you to our vendors !

Advanced Turf Solutions

AgChimp

Aqua Aid

BASF

Beard

Better Billy Bunkers

BuySod

BWI

Capillary Flow

Corbin Turf

Corteva

Crossroads Sod Farm

Donkey Forklifts

DryJect

Envu

Ewing

Golf Agronomics

GreenpointAg

Harco

Harrells

Heritage Professional Products

Hogan

Huntsville Tractor

Jackson Sand

JRM

JTL Golf

Keeling Company

Ladds

Line to Line

McCurdy Sod Farms

Mid TN Skid

Modern Turf

Nufarm

Percival Scientific

ProPump and Controls

ProSolutions

QualiPro/Control Solutions

Ragan Technical Solutions

Regal

SePro

Sigma Organics

Simplot

SiteOne

Sod Solutions

STEC

STI

SuperSod

Sur-Line Turf

Syngenta

Tanto Irrigation

Tenbarge

The Andersons

The Aquatrols Company

TriTurf

Watertronics

Winstead

Darren Davis, Jim West and Dr. Horvath discuss career opportunities and advancement.

TTA’s own Shelia Finney shares GCSAA Member Pathways alongside Bob McCurdy.

The Turfgrass Breeding and Selection Panel included Dr. Bowling (UT), Dr. Miller (NCSU), Dr. Dickson (UT) and Dr. Booth (USGA).

Dr. Grady Miller (NCSU) discusses transition alternatives for sports turf tracks.

The Tournament Experience roundtable included Ryan Blair, John Ballard, Nick Bisanz, and Will Misenheimer and was moderated by Dr. Brosnan.

Michael Brownlee led the Sprayer-Spreader Calibration and Turfgrass Mathematics workshop.

SiteOne led the “Irrigation 101” Workshop.

Terry Porch and Michael Henry (Tennessee Titans) and Dr. Dickson and Taylor Williams (UT Turfgrass) led the Synthetic Systems Management session.

The “Timely Topics in Pest Management” panel included Dr. Bowling, Dr. Gannon (NCSU), Dr. Horvath, and Dr. Brosnan.

Congratulations to TTA Award and Scholarship Recipients

Tom Samples Professional of the Year, Jason Pooler

One of the most prestigious and highest recognitions bestowed on a Tennessee turfgrass professional by the Tennessee Turfgrass Association is the Tom Samples Professional of the Year Award. Each year TTA members are given the opportunity to nominate those who they feel have made contributions to the turfgrass industry.

Environmental Stewardship Award

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) would like to recognize outstanding contributions by individuals, organizations, businesses, educational institutions, and agencies for successful projects or activities designed to improve the environment through wildlife habitat preservation, water and resource conservation and reduction, and educational outreach. Through our Environmental Stewardship Award, we can create greater knowledge and awareness of environmental and conservation practices and projects by members of TTA which have demonstrated outstanding contributions to environmental protection and improvement.

Environmental Stewardship Award, The Bear Trace Cumberland Mt

Golf Course of the Year

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) recognizes that you make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organization you serve. Therefore, the TTA would like to distinguish golf courses across the state with the Golf Course of the Year Award. Through these awards we are able to further one main element of our mission which is to gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members.

Public Golf Course of the Year, The Little Course at Conner Lane

Private Golf Course of the Year, Chattanooga Golf and Country Club

Sports Field of the Year

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA) recognizes that you make personal and professional contributions to our industry and to the organization you serve. Therefore, the TTA would like to distinguish fields across the state with the Sports Fields of the Year Award. Through these awards we are able to further one main element of our mission which is to gain acknowledgement for the professionalism of our members.

High School Sports Field of the Year, Clarksville High School Baseball Field

Municipal Sports Field of the Year — Ted Rhodes Park

Collegiate Field of the Year — Dave Hall Field

Professional Sports Field of the Year — Toyota Field

Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship

The Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship offers financial aid to students interested in pursuing a career in turf management. The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA. The Scholarship and Awards Committee will review all applications and select the scholarship recipient. All decisions of the committee will be final. This scholarship will be awarded at the TTA annual conference and a check will be made payable to the recipient in the amount of $2000.

Ernest Hardison Scholarship — Drew Lamb

Legacy Scholarship

The Tennessee Turfgrass Association Legacy Scholarship offers financial aid to children or grandchildren of active TTA members in good standing. Scholarship applicants are not required to be pursuing education in a turfgrass related field to be eligible for the TTA Legacy Scholarship. The scholarship is funded and administered by the TTA and is $2000.

Legacy Scholarship — Faith Callis

See You Next Year for the 60th Annual Conference & Tradeshow