TURF INDUSTRY NEWS

Rose Bowl Selects Mountain View Seeds as Official Seed Supplier

After more than a year of on-field trials and testing, Will Schnell, Head Groundskeeper, has selected Mountain View Seeds as the official seed supplier to the Rose Bowl. Schnell made the decision to convert the Rose Bowl from a bermudagrass base overseeded with perennial ryegrass to a 100 percent Kentucky bluegrass sod. Its superior density, tensile strength and ability to recover quickly after use, especially during their six-month cooler season from November through May was a deciding factor. At this time, UCLA plays and the annual Rose Bowl game takes place along with other major events. “During those months, in this part of California, it’s great bluegrass growing weather,” said Schnell. After closely monitoring the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) trials, the 3-way bluegrass brand, 365 SS (consisting of Bolt, Legend, and Blue Note) was also selected for field testing at Schnell’s partners at West Coast Turf. 365 SS was selected for it’s dark green color and excellent leaf texture. “It looks beautiful from the stands and on TV,” said Schnell. Mountain View Seeds worked with West Coast Turf and Schnell to grow the sod for the Rose Bowl game field. Te management practices used at West Coast Turf, including matching the soil profiles, were identical to the management practices Schnell will use at the Rose Bowl. Tis ensured a smooth transition when the sod was installed in Pasadena last August.

Watson Materials to Reside at Michigan State University’s Turfgrass Information Center

Te Turfgrass Information Center, of the Michigan State University Libraries, has announced the arrival of a major donation of turfgrass industry materials from the family of the late Dr. James R. Watson. Included are a wide range of materials with hundreds of monographs, including university extension publications and bulletins, as well as 2,000+ issues of periodical titles, and assorted handwritten notes, loose articles, project binders, corporate-related papers, advertisements, commercial items, business correspondence, and personal papers. Dr. Watson’s materials also came with a few dozen boxes of slides and photographic materials, which could well be of significance to the history of the discipline. Dr. Watson (1920-2013) was known for a variety of turfgrass-related accomplishments, both nationally and internationally. Te Watson materials join the O. J. Noer Memorial Turfgrass Collection at Michigan State University. Te Noer Collection and the James B Beard Turfgrass Library Collection form the strongest single public collection of

TPI Turf News November/December 2016

turfgrass-related content in the world. Records for items within the Watson materials have already started to appear within the Turfgrass Information File (TGIF) database, and originals are available for consulting use within the Turfgrass Information Center at MSU. Access to TGIF is a member benefit of TPI.

Project EverGreen Introduces New Vision and Mission Statement

Te Project EverGreen (PE) board of directors, at its September board meeting, approved the new, official Vision: “Greener, cooler earth. Healthier, happier people.” Te new Mission Statement is, “Bringing people together to make a difference in how our yards, parks and communities create a greener, cooler, healthier earth.” PE Executive Director Cindy Code says, “Our new mission and vision are the result of a year-long effort to refresh our 13-year-old brand, and to strategically position us for the future. Te process began with a strategic intent meeting and wrapped up with our second round of consumer research.” Code adds, “Tis is a significant step—and we feel the right step—for Project EverGreen. It charts a path for our immediate future and clearly delineates our position as an independent organization bringing people together to create a greener, cooler, healthier earth."

Super-Sod Breaks Ground on New Energy-Efficient Store

Super-Sod broke ground on a new, energy-efficient store to serve the northeast Atlanta area. Based in Alpharetta, GA., this building will supply sod and organic compost produced at Super-Sod’s Georgia farms. Scheduled to open by December, the store will focus on making an impact in the local sod market while keeping the business’s carbon footprint minimal. It will follow strict green building standards for water and energy conservation and sustainability. Te location will feature turfgrass plots for customers to view and experience each of the nine varieties of sod offered for delivery or pick-up. A Drivable Grass parking area will exhibit the environmental benefits of a flexible, permeable pavement system. Beyond sod, the store will cater to a variety of home and garden needs, including natural stone, mulch, pine straw and lawn care products. Super-Sod is a subsidiary of Patten Seed Company and family run. Patten Seed Company began in 1893 in Lakeland, GA., as a general store, providing seed for customers. Super-Sod was formed in 1980 to market sod to expanding urban markets.

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