TPI'S 2017 SUMMER PROGRAM RECAP
TPI’s 2017 Summer Program wowed participants. Te two-day event, with an optional third day of activities, was centered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in conjunction the 2017 International Turfgrass Research Conference (ITRC) held July 16-21.
Approximately 450 turfgrass researchers from across the world gathered to join in the ITRC’s once-every-four year educational and networking experience conducted by the International Turfgrass Society. With the United States as host of this 14th Annual ITRC, the event took place in North America for the first time since 1993. Dr. Bruce Clarke, ITS President and Director of the Center for Turfgrass Science of Rutgers University, and his team of researchers and support staff, did an incredible job of coordinating the sessions and local activities, as well as hosting participants at the Rutgers research facilities.
Te tours brought much to see and much to learn at every stop. A huge “Tank You” goes to each of the tour stop hosts and their staffs who welcomed the group enthusiastically and did a great job of providing information and answering questions.
TPI staff and board members greeted attendees as they gathered to fill the two buses for Wednesday’s joint TPI/ ITRC Technical Tour. With six different technical tour groups departing at approximately the same time the loading area was a mini-United Nations of people all united in the quest to learn more about turfgrasses. Participants picked up boxed breakfasts to munch while traveling.
Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc., in Hammonton, NJ was Wednesday’s first stop. Tis family-owned business is currently operated by the third generation. With over 700 acres of premium turfgrass sod in production, the company has established a strong foothold in the sports turf market while effectively serving a wide range of clients from federal, state and locally-owned public facilities and universities to homeowners. Teir expansive operation extends to the far tree line (in picture bottom page 21). A trip around the perimeter of the farm is 6.5 miles. More details on what they do and how they do it can be found in the article, “TPI Visits Tuckahoe Turf Farms,” beginning on page 28.
After the tour and a savory and satisfying barbeque lunch at Tuckahoe Turf Farms, attendees boarded the buses for the trip to Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ. Tis Jersey Shore thoroughbred horse racing facility is world-renowned (it hosted the Breeders Cup in 2007) and easily accessible, just 35 miles from New Brunswick and 52 miles from New York City. Teir 2017 racing season started May 9 and ends September 18, with races held Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays. Monmouth Park’s boarding facilities will accommodate 1600 horses; 1100 were onsite at the time of the tour.
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TPI Turf News September/October 2017
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