Dr. Michael Fidanza-University of Pennsylvania-Berks, Dr. Stan Kostka, Penn State-Berks, Mr. Tom Malehorn, iGin Research. Today's surfactants do more than fix dry spots. This seminar dives into how modern soil surfactants technologies impact water movement, nutrient uptake, and turf resilience under stress. Learn from global case studies and discover how these tools improve playability, reduce inputs and support healthier turf from the rootzone on up!

Mr. Jerry Lemons, Golf Links Inc. and Mr. Adam Moeller, Moeller Consulting. The seminar will cover additional details on bunker renovation and construction. With course bunkers being a significant expense, learn a better understanding of methods to extend the life of this highly visible course feature. Learn new options in bunker construction, costs, and maintenance. Understand when different methods should be considered and how to maximize bunker performance while taking your budget into consideration.

Dr. Beth Guertal, Auburn University. How does nitrogen work in cool season systems? Where does your applied N go? How long does it take for the N to be plant available. Dr. Guertal will cover the ins and outs of N in the turf-soil system and discuss how various N fertilizers can affect results. Rates, Sources and timing will all get a mention too!

Dr. Travis Gannon, North Carolina State University. We are constantly asked why pesticides do not work to the level expected. Many times, human error is involved in terms of misapplication timing, application method, not understanding how a particular Pesticide is designed to work, or just using the wrong pesticide. This seminar will cover pre and post emergence herbicides, how they are supposed to work, and understand reasons they might not work as expected. We will also cover herbicide resistance, its occurrence and what measures can be taken to avoid or manage existing resistant weed biotypes.

2026 Cemetery Management: Mr. Greg Melville- Historical Management of Landscapes across America, Ms. Neela Wickremesinghe-Cemetery Preservation: Cemetery Monuments, Evan Mascitti, Ph.D. , UMass. Cemeteries are a unique growing environment for turfgrass. Mr. Bill Logan-Management and Preservation of Trees in Cemeteries, Ms. Sadie Rosethorn-Communicating and Conflict Management, Dr. Scott McElroy, Auburn U.-Obstacle Avoidance-The Challenge of Mowing Cemeteries, Dr. Matt Elmore-Rutgers University-Weed Management in Cemeteries, Mr. Jason Lanier & Ms. Nicole Bell, UMass-Pollinator Habitats and Turf Areas: Can They Co-exist?

Dr. Matt Elmore, Rutger University. This presentation will cover strategies for building an effective, integrated weed control program for golf course turf. Focus will be on managing annual bluegrass, goosegrass, crabgrass, and other common turf weeds using a combination of herbicide programs and cultural practices. Topics include selecting and timing pre- and postemergence herbicides, preventing resistance development, and optimizing mowing, fertility, and irrigation to favor desirable turf species. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based, sustainable approaches that balance performance, cost, and environmental stewardship.

Mr. Ashley Wilkinson, GT Irrigation. Among the biggest projects any turf manager may undertake will be a new irrigation system. Learn the basic interaction that should be assed prior to undertaking an irrigation renovation project and how the superintendent's input could be crucial to a project's success. Topics will include design strategies, communication and piping techniques and various pump station setups that are prevalent in modern system installations.

Dr. Olga Kostromytska, UMass & Dr. Kyle Wickings, Cornell University. The seminar will give an overview of the recent research on use of biorational and biological control options to manage turfgrass insects. Available options, their efficacy against the major turfgrass insect pests, the biotic and abiotic factors affecting their efficacy will be discussed. There is much ongoing research concerning Bio-Controls in turfgrass management and their benefits to the industry and the environment. The essential recommendations on obtaining, storage and application of the biologicals will be presented as well as overview of the market and available products. In addition, the information on identification, conservation and role of the naturally occurring pathogen, predators and parasitoids in the managed turfgrass system will be discussed.

Dr. John Inguagiato, UConn. There are so many options in the industry to combat pathological challenges. Old, new and improved products fill the market and may confuse your plans for the upcoming growing season. This seminar will help attendees build their own season-long site-specific fungicide programs. Does product selection make a difference in your success. Will best management practices make fungicide applications more effective? Discussion will involve these ideas, the different products, and their benefits for the challenges you might have on your golf course. This Seminar will discuss program considerations including disease prevalence, disease habits, product efficacy, application tips, timing and environmental impact.

Dr. Eugene Braig, Ohio State University. Most golf courses have water bodies and features adding to aesthetics and a higher playability value. Some of these features have a functional value of being the water reservoir serving the needs of the golf course irrigation system. Managing golf courses includes managing the maintenance of these water bodies and all life that is within and around them. What types of options do managers have to treat and protect these unique features. How to keep contaminants out? Dr. Eugene Braig will share insights on what golf courses should be concerned with when managing ponds and streams on their course and how to keep ponds clean, healthy and esthetically pleasing.

Ms. Sadie Rosethorn, Sadie Rosethorn Consulting. In this ever-changing world, achieving and maintaining success requires us to constantly adapt, reprioritize, and re-organize to realize success. Exceptional Time and priority management skills are essential to control workloads, improve productivity, and insure we are laser-focused on the efforts that have the greatest impacts on achieving our desired outcomes. In this experimental workshop participants will explore crucial time management and prioritization strategies enabling them to maintain focus on critical business objectives and optimize performance by effectively planning and scheduling work, managing interruptions and staying organized.

Dr. Beth Guertal, Auburn University. There are a bunch of terms out there in Soil and water science: EC, pH, CEC, cations... What's it all mean, which tests show what, and how can you use all that information to better understand your turf? In a fast two hours we will define all things, show results from soil and water tests, and talk about what's good and bad with such data. The bottom line: it is determined by how well managers understand soil and water and their relationships when growing turf.

Mr. Chris Chiles, Forest Application Management. Operating a chainsaw requires the understanding of a chainsaw's design, using common sense and being aware for those around you. Chris Chiles will share his many years of chainsaw operation experience, liability issues, the proper techniques of operation, safety, and maintenance. Learn to be a seasoned chainsaw safety person to share and train with others on your maintenance crews.