hosting of the Turf Mountain Sod team continued throughout the Field Day, with the antique tractor parade a definite hit with attendees. Another highlight was the post-conference donation of the sod harvested during the Field Day to Henderson County Habitat for Humanity.

TPI ventured into the world of social media with the launching of the TPI Facebook page in 2012. Te easy-to- access site provides members and other interested parties with the opportunity to learn about upcoming TPI events, view timely information, find links to industry-related articles, access fellow TPI member Facebook pages and access photos of recent TPI activities and events. TPI’s Tirteenth International Study Tour visited South Africa and Botswana.

2013

Remember the Alamo?

TPI Executive Director Kirk Hunter asked attendees to honor the memory of Doug Fender, who passed away unexpectedly in December. Fender was a former executive director of TPI, and a friend and mentor to many.

Bull riding, anyone?

Te 2013 TPI Midwinter Conference was held February 11-15, headquartered at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter, San Antonio, Texas, providing easy access to the historic river walk and the Alamo. Tanks to David Doguet, president, Bladerunner Farms, Poteet, TX, the 46 golfers participating in TLI’s Memorial Golf Tournament had the Briggs Ranch Golf Club all to themselves. Doguet and his Bladerunner Farms team also hosted the farm tour and crawfish boil on the last day of the Conference. Te Texas location led to an added TLI Fundraiser, armadillo races. Te pre-conference seminar addressed “Te Eight Building Blocks for Creating a Sustainable Closely- Held Business.” Lunch and the popular Roundtable Forum followed. Evening activities included the First Timers Meet & Greet and dinner in the Exhibit Hall. Te educational program included three Show & Tell presentations, along with technical sessions on turfgrass production and strategies to meet the economic and governmental challenges impacting the industry. TPI’s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Don Heslop, vice president of the Biograss Turf Farm in Sandy, Utah, for his service on the TPI Logistics Committee.

TPI Turf News January/February 2017

Chicago, Illinois, was the site of TPI’s Summer Convention and Field Day July 22-25, with Te Drake, the headquarters hotel. TLI’s Memorial Golf Tournament was held at the Harborside International Golf Club in Chicago. Te optional Chicago Architecture river cruise and walking tour provided an overview of the styles that gave birth to the design of skyscrapers worldwide. Te First Timers Meet & Greet and Next Generation Leaders Networking Mixer started the “information and idea exchange.” Te TPI Banquet featured a deep dish Chicago pizza contest between three famous pizzerias. Conference sessions reflected the industry-wide focus on sustainability with multiple researcher reports. Bob Weerts, Blue Valley Sod, Inc., Winnebago, Minnesota, was installed as TPI’s 2013-2014 President. “Tabletop Displays and Dinner” connected turfgrass producers with suppliers.

Te Doug Fender Memorial Field Day was hosted by Ron and Justin Payne and their families at Payne Sod Farm, Manteno, IL. Te memory of Doug Fender was honored, with framed TPI member tributes presented to his widow, Sharon. Te day concluded with seed- related presentations and a tour of the Summit Seed, Inc. research facility in Manteno.

David Doguet (center) talks turf during the tour of Bladerunner Farms. 25