A Message From
O
n October 24, 1956 eleven turf managers met at the MSU Memorial Union Building to finalize incorporation of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. Those individuals built the framework of the current MTF and the basis on which it would operate. On October 11, 1979 ground breaking for the current Hancock Turfgrass Research Center took place at the corner of Mt. Hope and Farm Lane near the campus of MSU. In 1993 the Board of Directors of the MTF adopted the “Mission Statement” for the Foundation.
“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.”
“Study the past if you would define
the future.” – Confucius
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Most of you reading may not be aware of these short snippets of history regarding the MTF. What you should understand is the determination they provided to put together the Foundation was extra ordinary, and they did so for future turf mangers. They understood the importance research would provide to our industry both from the agronomic aspect and the professional perspective. Over the years golf courses and turf have improved and with that so has the stature of those who are assigned to maintaining large acreages of land and assets. Those that have taken a role on the MTF know one constant element defines the MTF and its objective of funding research and that is that research requires time….and repetition. Proper research understands Twitter can’t speed it up and Facebook can’t forecast results before they are concluded. Scientific research requires standards that must be met before being approved as results. Whenever an unproven method of maintaining turf takes place (and most of us have tried something on our own at some point in time) the results can vary. If the method doesn’t work so well, one of the first places we reach to is the MSU Turf Team hoping they will offer help/suggestions or explanations that may provide the insight needed to prevent future issues.
Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association
| www.migcsa.org