Turf Research Report for 2015 AGM

by Peter Sorokovsky, Chair

First and foremost I would like to thank my fellow members on the 2015 research committee: David Davidson, Dave Duncan, Dave Woodske, Brian Holl, Steve Kerbrat, Ladd Lygett, and Elizabeth Hudgins. We have been a very consistent team over the past 3 years. I would also like to thank the BCGSA, the KPU Turf Club Students, our Industry Partners and all of you who so generously donated $5 to the “Give me 5bucks” for supporting turfgrass research with your donations.

I am taking donations of any size, and for anyone who would like to match (or beat) Dave Duncan’s generous donation of $1300, I will be mentioning names in my research report in the Turf Line News magazine (hint, hint, free advertising).

Our Partnership with the other research funding organizations across Canada continue to reap benefits as this year we received a record 18 research proposals form across North America. Between the major funding partners (including the CTRF and the OTRF) research funding will exceed $80,000. This year we, the WCTA, will be supporting Dr. Eric Lyons out of the University of Guelph with $15k for the first year of a two year project on the “Economic Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Sports Fields”.

I am happy to report that our funding of Dr. Alex Kowalewski and graduate student Clint Mattox from Oregon State University doing a study on “Alternative methods of Michrodocium patch Control” has produced excellent results that can be used in the field. You should review your Turf Line News research edition to find the good report or CLICK HERE.

This year your research committees top priority, as usual, will be to come up with a sustainable funding model to fund research. I hope to have many irons in the fire come to fruition that will fund research now and into the future. If you would like to discuss or have ideas for turfgrass research, please contact me directly or thru the WCTA.

For the second year, the KPU Turf Club students have put together a raffle with some awesome prizes, including rounds at Sagebrush and the prestigious Riverway Golf Course. 100% of the proceeds go to turfgrass research. Thanks again KPU Turf Club.

Lastly, thanks to all WCTA members, as 10% of your annual dues goes directly to turfgrass research. We can’t do any of this without you.

Regards,
Peter Sorokovsky MSc. BSc.
WCTA Director, Research Chair