WCTA 2015 Turfgrass Research Update

from Jerry Rousseau

One of the primary mandates of the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, along with many of our allied groups, is to foster turfgrass research for the betterment of the entire sports turf and golf course management industry. 

The scientific process has been a critical component in the evolution of our industry and continues to drive us forward, operating in the background, advancing the field and providing solutions to everyday challenges.  As the industry finds itself increasingly engaged in advocacy efforts, there is great need to detail and quantify all the good things that turf does for us.

Since 1997, The WCTA has invested $513,927 into turf research projects.  The highest dollar figure in any one year was $53,230 (2002) with an average of just under $27,000 annually.  The money comes from 10% of all member dues, 30% of any net operating profit at year end, but mostly, from the contributions made by those in the industry and the hard work of many individuals over the years directed at fund-raising initiatives.

Researcher Amy Baetsen-Young extracts sample plugs from putting green turf infected with the fungus that causes thatch collapse at Penn State's Joseph E. Valentine Turfgrass Research Center. Infected areas appear as darker rings in the grass. 

The WCTA would like to thank and recognize those individuals, groups, companies and institutions who have contributed generously to turf research project funding so far this year.  Money raised in 2015 will be put toward 2016 projects.  Notable contributors in 2015 are as follows:

• Kwantlen University Turf Club   $4000
• Dave Duncan, Turf Health Products  $1300*
• BC Golf Superintendents Association  $1250
• Irrigation Industry Association of BC    $ 150
• Kwantlen University    $ 150
• NGCOA      $ 150
• Olds College     $ 150
• Jeff Hoyem, Fairview, AB   $ 100
• Greg de Jong, Ardmore Golf Course  $   50  
  *largest individual contribution on record

Note that many research projects are jointly funded which helps to reduce the overall burden on one particular group.  For example, the Canadian Turf Research Foundation (CTRF) collects funds from several provincial groups like the WCTA, rolls it all together and distributes it on a national scale.

2015 Turf Research Funding Summary

Based on funds raised in 2014, the dollar value available to the Research Committee for 2015 projects was $13,146.  The following projects were put forward by the Research Committee and approved by the WCTA Board for 2015 funding:

Project Title: Canadian Turf Research Foundation Cooperative Funding
Past and current research is published at www.turfresearchcanada.ca
PROJECT LENGTH:   multiple projects / varies
WCTA COMMITMENT:   $4,000
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $231,000 over 3 years (2013 – 2015)
STATUS:   in progress

Project Title: Economic Analysis of Natural and Synthetic Sportsfields, Dr. Eric Lyons, University of Guelph
This project will create a comprehensive cost analysis of constructing and maintaining multitude of types of synthetic fields and compare those costs to the construction and maintenance of different types of natural grass fields. This information will aid in the decision making process when schools and municipalities undertake the construction of new facilities. The cost analysis will include a 30-year cost analysis encompassing construction, maintenance, renovations and disposal of materials.
PROJECT LENGTH:   2 years
WCTA COMMITMENT:   $15,000
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE: $22,500
STATUS:   in progress

Update on Previous Research

WCTA’s 2-year, $40,000 USD funding commitment of the Oregon State University project titled ‘Evaluation of Alternative Management Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate the Use of Fungicides for Control of Microdochium Patch’ lead by Clint Mattox has been fulfilled.  A final report has been posted at www.wcta-online under the Research tab.

WCTA’s 2-year, $5000 funding commitment of the City of Kelowna project titled ‘Investigation of the Okanagan Valley resident Canada goose sub-population to assist with strategic goose management’ lead by Kate Hagmeier of EBB Consulting, has been fulfilled.  A link to the final report has been posted at  www.wcta-online under the Research tab.

We would like to thank all of our Turfgrass Researchers and of course all Turf Research contributors, without whom our Turf Research program simply would not exist.  Please note that the Western Canada Turfgrass Association accepts no responsibility in respect to the opinions and data expressed in the editorial material or outcome of the research projects.  The views do not necessarily represent the views of the Association.

If you wish to contribute to turf research through the WCTA, please contact Committee Chair Peter Sorokovsky at peter.sorokovsky@burnaby.ca