2026 AB Turf Management Field Day - Education Program Finalized
Co-produced by the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation and the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, the 2026 Turf Management Field Day returns to Alberta on Thursday, September 17, 2026, hosted by Eagle Lake Turf Farm & Landscape Supply near Strathmore.
This full-day program brings professional turf managers, industry suppliers and service providers together for practical education, outdoor demonstrations, trade show time, BBQ lunch and connection with peers from across the turfgrass industry.
Hosted at one of Alberta's premier 1,400-acre turf production sites, the day is designed to provide useful, field-ready information for golf courses, sports fields, municipalities, sod farms, schools, landscapers and other turf professionals.
AB Turf Management Field Day
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Eagle Lake Turf Farms near Strathmore, Alberta
Registration
Choose the option that fits your role for the day:
Turf Management Delegates CLICK HERE to register via Eventbrite
Suppliers and Service Providers CLICK HERE for fillable pdf registration form
Hosted by:
Event Snapshot
• Morning education sessions with respected turfgrass professionals
• BBQ lunch provided by Eagle Lake Turf Farm & Landscape Supply
• Outdoor trade show with 25+ suppliers and service providers expected
• Equipment and product demonstrations
• AB pesticide CEU opportunity
• Activity stations and peer-to-peer industry connection
• Hosted at Eagle Lake Turf Farm & Landscape Supply near Strathmore, Alberta
Education Program Now Finalized!
Dr. Gregg Munshaw - Problem Solving for the Turf Manager
We are very pleased to announce Dr. Gregg Munshaw, a Saskatchewan native and Chief Scientist at Pinnacle Ag Research Center near St. Louis, Missouri will be joining us to deliver his popular presentation titled, 'Problem Solving for the Turf Manager'.
Munshaw, who has spent more than 30 years in the turf industry, worked as a university professor for over half that time in the southern and transitional climatic regions of the United States. Particularly passionate about reducing turfgrass inputs, he has authored numerous scientific and extension articles, and has delivered turf management education around the world. He previously served as the Director of Research for the Alliance for Low-Input Sustainable Turf, a non-profit dedicated to developing improved varieties. In his current role, his focus is on turfgrass stress alleviation and testing new genetics, products, and practices to improve turf and soil health.
Gary Bartley - Preparing the Pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
With over four decades of expertise in high-performance turf management, Gary Bartley, Grounds Manager at the University of British Columbia, is the technical architect behind the world-class soccer pitch at UBC Vancouver, lead technical consultant for the natural grass pitch installation and maintenance for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches at BC Place Stadium and is the current WCTA Vice-President.
Since 2015, he and his team have overseen the complex needs of both synthetic and natural fields for use by professional teams like the Vancouver Whitecaps and Vancouver Rise, as well as varsity programs and community groups. Gary's presentation, 'Preparing the Pitch for the 2026 FIFA World Cup' documents the incredibly challenging and complicated process of growing, installing and maintaining the natural grass for the largest sporting event in the world.
Jason Pick, M.Sc. - Sprayer Calibration Session
Delivering our sprayer calibration session, Jason Pick, M.Sc, is the Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation Executive Director, full-time faculty at Olds College in southern Alberta and WCTA Past-President.
His career includes tenure as golf course superintendent with experience from eight golf courses across Canada and the Caribbean. He specializes in Turfgrass Science, resort management and applied research, is a certified pesticide applicator trainer and holds degrees in Agriculture, Business, Applied Science and a Master's from Penn State.
Event Program
Morning Sessions
8:00-9:00 AM Registration & Welcome Coffee
9:00-9:30 AM Opening remarks from WCTA President, Nathan Wade
Introductions:
- Eric Heuver & Kyle Redfern, Eagle Lake Turf Farm and
Landscape Supply
- Special Guests
Event outline, safety briefing & housekeeping notes
Host welcome of delegates & farm operations overview - Eric
Heuver & Kyle Redfern
9:30-10:15 AM Dr. Gregg Munsahw, Pinnacle Ag Research Center 'Problem
Solving for the Turf Manager'
10:15-10:30 AM break
10:30-11:15 AM Gary Bartley, UBC Athletics 'Preparing the Pitch for FIFA
World Cup 2026'
Afternoon Sessions
10:45 AM Lunch service for vendors provided by Eagle Lake Turf Farm
and Landscape Supply
11:15 AM-12:45 PM Lunch service for delegates provided by Eagle Lake Turf
Farm and Landscape Supply
11:30 AM-12:30 PM Dedicated Trade Show time
12:30-3:30 PM Concurrent Demonstration, Activity Stations & Trade Show
2:00-3:00 PM Sprayer Calibration Presentation, Jason Pick, Olds College
(1.0 AB CEU – Application Technology)
3:00 PM End program
Thank you to the suppliers, service providers and sponsors supporting the 2026 Alberta Turf Management Field Day. Your participation helps make this event a valuable day of education, demonstration and industry connection.
-- as of July 8--
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More about ATRF
The ATRF is a non-profit organization whose directors represent each sector of our turfgrass industry. Distributing 100% of its profits through membership investment, the foundation fuels operations of the Prairie Turfgrass Research Center at Olds College. Our ATRF Mission, “To implement applied research, promote and disseminate industry knowledge and results through environmentally sustainable methods of turfgrass management. To act as a liaison between the turfgrass industry and applied research, and conduct fundraising activities for the research Center.”
Alberta Turfgrass Research Foundation
Jason Pick, MSc.
Executive Director
403.556.8243
jpick@oldscollege.
More about WCTA
The WCTA is a 700+ member, inter-provincial, not-for-profit industry organization whose purpose is to promote the interchange of scientific and practical knowledge through education, discussion, research and to undertake advocacy relating to the care and management of turfgrass. The WCTA is proud to serve and support a diverse range of professional turf management interests such as golf courses, school boards, municipalities, sod farms, nurseries, landscapers, lawn bowling greens, mechanics, horticulturists and industry suppliers.
Western Canada Turfgrass Association
Suite #495, 101-1865 Dilworth Drive, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9T1
Phone: (604) 869-WCTA (9282)
www.wcta-online.com