FROM THE TTA PR ESIDENT
Doug Ward
Edging Back to Normalcy To
begin with, I would like to extend a big “thank you” to everyone who participated in our 2021 TTA Online Educational and Awards Program. No doubt, there were some legitimate question marks hanging out there on how the production would unfold, be received by our audience or even connected to with minimal challenges. In the end, following much positive feedback, I for one would like to call this year’s production a favorable success while operating under such extenuating circumstances.
LOOKING AHEAD As mentioned at the conclusion of our online program, I along with everyone out there, am looking forward to (and planning for) a year that is edging back to normalcy. With that said, our first board meeting of the year in which committees are formed and preliminary ideas for our 2022 conference are discussed will be an in-person event. And, I trust with that beginning, our plans and efforts will lead us all back to the Embassy Suites next January in a welcoming and much needed in-person reunion of our associated turf professionals.
RECOGNITION As we begin a new year of TTA activities, I would like to thank outgoing board members Darren Seybold (University of Tennessee Sports Facility) and Paul Webb (Humboldt Golf and Country Club) for their service as board members over the last two years. Likewise, I would like to offer a warm welcome to incoming board members, Jason Bradley (Memphis Country Club) and Jason Wagman (Franklin Parks & Recreation). We appreciate you both for your willingness to serve, knowing your time and input will prove to be a rewarding experience for you and our association. Additionally, I would like to acknowledge our Executive Director, Melissa Martin, for her steadfast work this past year. In a time of uncertainty, which required a multitude of adjustments and improvisations to be made as we worked through the year and ultimately to the finish line with our conference, Melissa’s contributions cannot be overstated. So for now, as we all head into another busy springtime of both personal and professional activities, I would like to wish safety and good health to all of our members as we look forward to a most improved 2021.
Doug Ward TTA President
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TENNESSEE TURFGRASS FEBRUARY/MARCH 2021 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
The Official Publication of the Tennessee Turfgrass Association, the Tennessee Valley Sports Turf Managers Association and the Tennessee Golf Course Superintendents Association
Tennessee Turfgrass is the official publication of The Tennessee Turfgrass Association 400 Franklin Road Franklin, Tennessee 37069 (615) 928-7001 info@ttaonline.org www.ttaonline.org PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Dr. James Brosnan TTA OFFICERS President Doug Ward Belle Meade Country Club (615) 292-6752 Vice President Chris Sykes Tellico Village (865) 458-5408 Secretary/Treasurer Ryan Storey Vanderbilt University (615) 343-6694 Past President Jason Pooler Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc (731) 642-3092 Executive Director Melissa Martin Tennessee Turfgrass Assn. (615) 928-7001 TTA 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Blair, CGCS Jason Bradley Bart Cash Ashley Gaskin Cal Hill Jeff Huber Brad Jean Jeff Kuhns Jason Sanderson Mark Stovall John Wagnon Jeff Wyatt TTA ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Bill Blackburn Dr. Jim Brosnan Joe Hill Dr. Brandon Horvath Lynn Ray Jeff Rumph, CGCS Dr. Tom Samples Dr. John Sorochan Dr. Wes Totten
