PRESIDENT’S REPORT The Business of the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation By JAMIE BEZANSON President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers President Jamie Bezanson Highland GC, MGCSA Vice President Sam Bauer Ramy Turf, MPSTMA Treasurer Steve Balfany Balfany Farms, MTA Ex-Officio Matt Cavanaugh Rush Creek GC, MGCSA Directors
MASMS
Tom Redmann Tom Redmann Consulting
MASMS
Tracy Closson Northfield Schools
MAC
Dave Kemp The Catholic Cemeteries
MAC
Dominic Pierre Union Cemeteries
MGCSA
Michael Sonnek Royal Golf Club
MPSTMA
Joshua Gerth, CSFM Bethel University
MSA
Manuel Jordán Heritage Shade Tree Consultants
MSA
Chad Giblin City Forester
MTA
Bryan Lawrence Rocket Turf & Nursery
MTSC
Brent Benike Northern Excellence Seed
MTSC
Richard Magnusson Magnusson Farms
Vendor Representative Jim O’Neill EcoWorks Supply
Vendor Representative Andy Keating Twin City Seed Company
I like hats, it’s very rare that you catch me not wearing one, whether it be one of my many different caps, toques (Canadian for winter hat) or Stetsons. You can call it laziness; I like to think of it as being efficient. The ease of putting on a hat in the morning and not worrying about my cowlick is always part of my morning ritual. I have a modest collection of hat wear that I often find myself pondering the selection depending on my mood or event I will be attending. The opportunity to wear many different hats keeps my job of being a golf course Superintendent exciting. On any given moment I could be wearing the hat of an agronomist, biologist, chemist, entomologist, phycologist, mechanic, engineer, and politician. Throw all that together with the unpredictability of people and weather add to the dynamic challenge of being a manager. I often find myself struggling to balance work with being a good parent, husband, brother, son, and friend are other hats I find myself wearing. Another hat I’ve recently added to my professional juggling act is becoming the Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation (MTGF) President. The MTGF has been fortunate to have many great past presidents that I am humbled to follow. A large portion of the Foundation’s funding comes from the Northern Green which was held virtually for the first time this past January because of COVID-19. Despite the MNLA’s best effort to pivot to a virtual format the pandemic dramatically affected participation. Without the support of our industry the Northern Green suffered a financial loss. The loss was also extended to the MTGF’s ability to fund any research projects which was very disappointing considering its the mission of the foundation. There are still ways you can help support the MTGF in 2021. By attending one of the education events or donating to research via the MTGF website at www.mtgf.org/donations you can be confident that all 7 allied associations will continue to benefit. As we move toward a new normal the MTGF Board of directors and MNLA are hopeful that the Northern Green trade show in January 2022 will be in person and we continue our proud tradition of supporting research. The 2022 Northern Green needs your involvement and input to continue our trade shows success. So please, attend the Northern Green, register, participate, be involved, get educated and walk the Trade Show floor. You may even discover a new hat! Sincerely,
UM Representative Dr. Eric Watkins University of Minnesota * * * *
Executive Director Jeff Turtinen 763-703-4983 jeff.turtinen@mtgf.org P. O. Box 617 Wayzata, MN 55391
www.mtgf.org
Jamie Bezanson President Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation
8 MTGF CLIPPINGS ~ SPRING/SUMMER 2021
www.MTGF.org