MPSTMA NEWS - SPRING ISSUE - APRIL 2022

MPSTMA NEWS VOLUME 12, NO. 1

SPRING 2022

JUNE 7 Network Picnic Town & Country Fence, Brooklyn Park

JUNE 17 Tour on Wheels/Field Day Allianz Field, TROE Center , Saint Paul

JULY 6 MPSTMA Demo Day McMurray Fields, Saint Paul

AUGUST 3 MPSTMA Golf Tournament Royal GC, Lake Elmo

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PRESIDENT’S UPDATE

By Mark Kruse, CSFM MPSTMA President City of Lakeville

I am writing this in my office looking out the window on another cold and wet spring day. It is interesting to me how the world and our industry has been changed in a couple of years. Covid 19 created many challenges for all of us and now we are starting a new normal. I think our industry has been forever adjusted and will not go back to the way it was. Our users including managers, owners, sport associations/teams, coaches, athletic directors, and the rest all have new expectations.

Some of these new expectations are good, some create difficulties, and some, are just out of our reach with what resources we have. This is where the MPSTMA comes in. We have decades if not centuries of experience at our fingertips to collaborate, learn, get advice, or just have someone else to blow off some steam with when needed. I encourage all of you to engage in this group of professionals especially now as we work to meet the needs and expectations of our users and facilities. This team of professionals are willing to help and we can work together as this new normal is created. Here is a list of events that are available to help you network and connect with your peers. Go to our website at www.mpstma.org and register yourself and staff members to help build our networking community. Thank you and remember hot and dry days are ahead!

Network Picnic - June 7 Town and Country Fence is hosting a Network Picnic at its facility in Brooklyn Park on June 7. Come have lunch and connect with your peers from 11:00 - 1:30. We are thankful, that after a few years off, Town and Country Fence is bringing this event back. RSVP to Town & Country Fence.

Field Day / Tour on Wheels - June 17 June 17 is the date for our Field Day/Tour on Wheels. The team is putting together a great event that will start at the TROE Center.

After the Field Day the plan is to head down to Allianz Stadium and tour the facility. Lunch will be provided. Details soon but online registration available at www.mpstma.org.

MPSTMA EVENT SCHEDULE TUESDAY, JUNE 7 TOWN & COUNTRY FENCE OPEN HOUSE Lunch, Vendors & Open House for MPSTMA members.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17 TOUR ON WHEELS / FIELD DAY A tour of Allianz Field and Field Day at TROE Center Details soon. Register online at www.mpstma.org.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 MPSTMA DEMO DAY Members demo equipment outdoors from MPSTMA Vendors at McMurray Field in St. Paul.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 MPSTMA GOLF OUTING A 9:00 am 4-person Scramble at Royal GC in Lake Elmo.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER MPSTMA COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT Members provide labor services and supplies for the project. Volunteers, equipment and supplies are needed!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 IN PERSON - MPSTMA FALL WORKSHOP Brackett’s Crossing Country Club, Lakeville A day of education, networking and quality speakers.

JANUARY 10-12, 2023 MPSTMA ANNUAL MEETING @ NORTHERN GREEN Minneapolis Convention Center JANUARY 12, 2023 MPSTMA ANNUAL MEETING @ NORTHERN GREEN 10:45 am @ Minneapolis Convention Center

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Demo Day - July 6 Demo Day is set for July 6 at McMurray Fields in the Como Park area of Saint Paul. Members demo equipment outdoors from MPSTMA Vendors. This is a great opportunity to see the newest equipment in action and demo for yourself! Online registration available at www.mpstma.org.

Golf Tournament - August 3 The MPSTMA Golf Tournament is set for Wed., August 3 at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. Members can put together their own foursomes or play as singles or doubles. Field is limited to 80 golfers. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available online at www.mpstma.org.

Sincerely,

Mark Kruse

Mark Kruse, CSFM President Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association

SPRING 2022

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MPSTMA DEMO DAY

Set July 6 at McMurray Fields in Como Park This year’s MPSTMA Demo Day is set for Wed., July 6 at McMurray Fields in Saint Paul. Derek Hollanitsch, City of Saint Paul and current Vice President of MPSTMA, will host the event.

Natural grass and synthetic turf fields will be available.

Commercial members will bring equipment for members to demo, ask questions about and see in action.

This year’s Demo Day will be unique because actual aeration and other turf repairs will be needed because of the Hmong International Freedom Festival which typically draws nearly 30,000 people for sports, dancing and food at McMurray Fields in St. Paul’s Como Park in early July.

Demo Day is a free event for members to attend. Box lunches and water will be provided for all attendees.

Commercial member registration/participation is $100.

Pre-registration is appreciated for an accurate lunch count. Go to www.mpstma.org/meetinginfo.php to register.

However, walk-ups will not be turned away if you are able to attend at the last minute. A limited number of ‘walk-up’ lunches will be available.

Vendors will demonstrate equipment and let members test things out for themselves. The timeframe is 9am - 2pm.

Members will be notified by email when the event details are finalized. Information available at www.mpstma.org.

McMurray Fields are walking distance to the Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

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SPRING 2022

smscorf.com MPSTMA NEWS 5

MPSTMA Bowling Team Wins Green Industry Tournament

The inaugural Green Industry Bowling Tournament hosted by MTGF and MNLA took place on February 23 at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl in Arden Hills. The champion 5-man team representing MPSTMA/MTGF, pictured above from the left, were: Greg Brodd, Turfco Manufacturing, Capt. Mike McDonald, CSFM; Dave Devlin; Derek Hollanitsch, City of Saint Paul, and Ben Boeding, CSFM, Minnesota Sodding Company.

In a field of 32, Hollanitsch rolled the high game of the night with a 226. After each player rolled two games, six 5person teams were created for a "Baker" tournament. After a qualifying round, the MPSTMA faced off with a landscape team from MNLA calling themselves the "Mighty Oaks."

The Oaks were mighty alright as they had a slight edge from

the opening frames. In a Baker tournament, each player rolls two frames - it goes quick.

Midway through the score was 55-55 but then the Mighty Oaks pulled ahead by a few pins. Entering the final frame, Captain Clutch (McDonald) needed a strike to overtake the Mighty Oaks. Not only did he strike, McDonald added a couple more exclamation points totalling three strikes in the final frame and a 183-163 victory for the team representing the MPSTMA and MTGF. An awards ceremony followed in a private room with plenty of pizza and salad for everyone! Kudos to Paulette Sorenson and Mike McDonald for organizing and creating a great event that raised $1,800.00 towards Green Industry Scholarships.

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6 MPSTMA NEWS

SPRING 2022

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA WINTER TURF FIELD DAY

Bryan Runck addresses a crowd at the UM WinterTurf Field Day at TROE Center in Falcon Heights on April 13 and gave an update on a WinterTurf Sensor Data Collection research. Other presenters at the WinterTurf Field Day were: Dr. Eric Watkins, Maggie Reiter, Andy Holllman, Florence Sessoms and Gary Deters.

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SPRING 2022

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MPSTMA WORKSHOPS CONTINUE GETTING GOOD ATTENDANCE AND VENDOR SUPPORT

207 Attend Spring Workshop At University of Northwestern The Minnesota Park and Sports Turf Managers Association continued its string of successful workshops as 207 people registered for its March 9 Spring Workshop at the University of Northwestern. This continues a streak of attendance that has reached the 200 mark for seven workshops in a row. The MPSTMA vendors are also giving great support to the Spring and Fall Workshops by sponsoring the events and utilizing the tabletop display options for Commercial members.

The Spring Workshop featured 23 companies that participated with tabletops and other types of sponsorships along with 160 general member registrants made up of members and co-workers of the MPSTMA. The topics and speakers at the workshop included: Soil, Seed & Irrigation - Paul Miskimen (City of Lakeville) and Travis Thiel, Sr. (Vermillion River Watershed) New Technology Update - Troy Carson (The Toro Company) Engineered Infield Soils - Paul Zwaska (DuraEdge) Irrigation Technology Update - Steve Pallas (Hunter Industries)

Triple A - Field Standards Change - Marcus Campbell (Saint Paul Saints)

Roundtable: Hiring Challenges & Solutions / CDL License Requirements The MPSTMA Fall Workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 16 at Brackett’s Crossing Country Club in Lakeville. Information will be forwarded to the membership as it becomes available.

Travis Thiel, Sr. Environmental Specialist, Vermillion River Watershed

Dave Haack, DH Athletics, is a strong supporter of MPSTMA and its Workshops.

10 MPSTMA NEWS

SPRING 2022

SPRING 2022

MPSTMA NEWS 11

A FUN, PLAYABLE COURSE DESIGNED BY ARNOLD PALMER AND ANNIKA SORENSTAM

MPSTMA Golf Tournament Set for Aug. 3 at Royal GC; Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities Available The 3rd Annual MPSTMA Scramble will take place on Wednesday, August 3 at Royal Golf Club in Lake Elmo. Tee times for the 4-person Scramble event will begin at 9am.

Cost is $75 per person, includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch on the course and a tee prize.

MPSTMA members can register as a 4-person group or sign up as singles, doubles or triples.

In 2021, the MTI foursome of Bob Frank, Larry Gorman, Tim Fleegle and Ryan Pannhoff won the event with an 11-under par 61. Finishing one shot behind was a foursome made up of: Nick Balestreiri, HLS Outdoor; Trent Waters, City of Roseville; Jared Alley, Minnesota Twins/Target Field, and Marcus Campbell, Saint Paul Saints/CHS Field.

Special thanks to MTI Distributing Inc. who, once again, donated a lawn mower as one of the prizes. Make plans to play in this event in August 2022. Limited field of 80 - register on-line today at www.mpstma.org.

Special thanks again to past golf sponsors: Turfix; Eco Works Supply; MTI Distributing Inc., SavAtree; EC Grow; Superior Turf and Gertens Wholesale and Professional Turf. MPSTMA is looking for sponsors again this year. Hole sponsorship and closest-to-the-pin sponsorship opportunities also available.

Head Golf Pro Kent Blaschko and Superintendent Mike Sonnek will make sure MPSTMA members are treated to a first-class day on a beautiful course.

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FIELD OF THE YEAR APPLICATION

Please fill in the information requested in the form below. The application must include the following: Minimum of five (5) and maximum of fifteen (15) 5" x 7" color photos of field and maintenance procedures, a brief description of the field, and an entry form.

CRITERIA s Located in the state of Minnesota. s Resourcefulness of staff, budget, maintenance practices, challenges in management of field. s Condition and aesthetics of the athletic field. s Number and type of games and/or events. s Previous recipients may re-apply if all requirements/applications are met.

School, Park District or Agency owning this Field: ___________________________________________ Name of Field / Complex: ___________________________________________________________ Street Address: __________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________ State ______ Zip Code _______________ _____ Age of Field (in years) Type of Field (Baseball, Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, etc.): _______________________________________ Natural Grass or Synthetic Turf? ________ Size of Field (in acres)

________ Overall Acreage

Annual Maintenance Budget for this Field: ________________________________________________ ___ Number of staff employed to maintain field: __ Full Time

__ Seasonal

What type of irrigation? __ Automatic __ Manual

__ None

Does your field have sports lighting?

__ Yes

__ Both

__ No

Type of equipment used to maintain your field: _____________________________________________ Type of maintenance program you employ (fertilization, aeration, topdressing, seeding, etc.): _________________ _______ How many months or days of the year is your field used? _______ Number of games played on your field or throughout your facility: What type of events are held on your field? _________________________________________________________________ What special maintenance challenges have you encountered? ___________________________________________________ Why do you think your field is one of the best? ______________________________________________________________ Signature: ________________________________________________________________ Date: ______________________ I certify that the information on this form and in the accompanying entry is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that no material will be returned and may be used for publication and promotional purposes.

Send completed entries and photos to: MPSTMA, P.O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391

14 MPSTMA NEWS

SPRING 2022

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RECENT JOB POSTINGS www.mpstma.org

Assistant Golf Course Superintendent City of Saint Paul Apr. 1, 2022 Crew Leader: Youth Conservation Corp Tree Trust Mar. 30, 2022 Public Service Worker - Parks (Turf) City of Woodbury Mar. 29, 2022

Covers That Make the Difference Our lightweight EVERGREEN™Turf Covers produce a greenhouse type effect that allows your turf to breathe and retain the right amount of heat and moisture.

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