MANDERLEY TURF PRODUCTS TO SUPPLY SOD FOR THE 2017 PICNIC ON THE BRIDGE

On Monday, November 2, 2015, Mayor Jim Watson of Ottawa, and Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin of Gatineau, announced a new joint initiative as part of the year-long celebrations to mark the 150th

anniversary of Canada’s

confederation. On July 2, 2017, the iconic steel truss structure that spans the Ottawa River between Ontario and Quebec will be transformed into a grassy haven for a Canadian first—the Interprovincial Picnic on the Bridge.

To create an authentic picnic atmo- sphere, the pedestrian walkway of the Alexandra Bridge will be adorned with fresh sod donated by Manderley Turf Products of Ottawa, Ontario. Following the event in 2017, the sod will be do- nated to local community organizations.

Families and small groups will be able to reserve spaces to picnic on the bridge

and enjoy the stunning view of the Parliament Buildings, the Canadian Mu- seum of History and the Ottawa River.

“Ottawa and Gatineau are two cities that form one community,” said Mayor Watson. “In 2017, we will celebrate together and I invite all Canadians to join in the memorable experiences to be enjoyed on both sides of the Ottawa River, as well as over it.”

“When we approached the Ottawa 2017 Bureau with an offer of support, we never imagined that we would get to deliver such an innovative and in- spiring tribute to Canada’s 150th

day. We are very proud to be a part of it,” said Greg Skotnicki, president of Manderley Turf Products Inc.

“Not only is this a great event for Ottawa and Gatineau, but for the sod industry overall,” says Bobbi Faulkner,

Photos courtesy of Manderley Turf Products.

Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin of Gatineau (left), Greg Skotnicki, president of Manderley Turf Products Inc. (center) and and Mayor Jim

Watson of Ottawa, (right) prepare for the Picnic on the Bridge announcement. The city of Ot- tawa is on the left and Gatineau is on the right.

birth-

marketing manager for Manderley Turf. “This event will provide high visibility nationwide and will provide us with a national platform and opportunity to educate Canadians on the numer- ous and often unknown benefits of choosing sod.”

STMA ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL MOWING PATTERNS CONTEST WINNER

In December of 2015, the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA) announced their third annual “Mowing Patterns Con- test” winner, Blake Anderson, assistant director of sports turf operations at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

Anderson was selected for his intricate design at Baum Stadium, home to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team. Tyler Carr, his student assistant, helped craft the mowing pattern. The voting contest was conducted via Facebook from October 21 to November 20.

“Blake is our first winner at the collegiate level, and he has set a high bar for future winners,” says Kim Heck, CEO of STMA, the professional organization for 2,600 men and women who manage sports fields worldwide. “His work at Baum Stadium is not only stunning for viewers, but the student-athletes who use the field benefit from its well-maintained and safe playing surface.”

Formerly the assistant grounds manager at The Westmin- ster Schools (Atlanta, GA), Anderson’s impressive resume includes experience with the Atlanta Braves and Lexington Legends, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. He

TPI TURF NEWS • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bach- elor’s degree in sports management.

Last year’s winner was Ben Young, former Altoona Curve head groundskeeper who is currently the Memphis Redbirds head groundskeeper. Young won with the intricate “four patterns” design he produced at Peoples Natural Gas Field. After winning this award, Young also was featured in Ball- park Digest, PanStadia & Arena Management, Sports Illustrated and Stadia, among others. He was invited to speak at the 2015 “Nationaal Sportvelden Congres,” the Netherlands’ leading sports turf management conference.

The inaugural winner was Purdue graduate Joey Stevenson, head groundskeeper for the Indianapolis Indians, who took the honors for his pattern at Victory Field.

Anderson will be included in a future issue of SportsTurf, STMA’s official monthly publication. His design will also have a custom poster fea- tured at the 2016 STMA Conference & Exhibi- tion (January 19-22) in San Diego, CA.

17