Those interested in the turf side of golf hit the jackpot this spring with seminar, tournament

In the nearly 20 years the SCGA and USGA have combined to sponsor a green section seminar in Southern California, the 2002 lineup of presenters checks in as among the most impressive.

Club directors, green committee chairpersons, owners, managers, superintendents, professionals and the mainline interested SCGA member will be treated from everything to the USGA's equipment guru to a profile of a new grass that thrives on salt water on Tuesday, March 19.

The seminar is at the Sheraton Universal hotel adjacent to Universal Studios in North Hollywood just off the 101 freeway. Registration deadline is March 15. Information is available by calling Lisa Maddox at (800) 554-7242 or e-mail at lmaddox@scga.org. The $50 cost includes continental breakfast, lunch and validated self-parking. Attendance provides continuing education credits for CMAA, GCSAA, and PGA members and California Pesticide Advisors/Applicators.

Following breakfast and registration, Southern California Edison's Ron Cobas opens the first session at 8 a.m. with answers to Where Did the Energy Crisis Go? Dr. Vic Gibeault of UC Riverside will outline for the future of the turf research in the Southland and turfgrass service owner Jeff Ball will introduce seashore paspalum, a new grass for fairways and greens that can be propagated in and irrigated with salt water. UC Riverside's Steve Cockerham will introduce the Turfgrass Research Education and Training Center before a mid-morning break.

John Spitzer, USGA Assistant Technical Director, puts all the buzz regarding the new drivers, golf balls, etc., on the line with Modern Technology vs. The Rules of Golf. Drs. Larry Stowell and Frank Wong address a new disease that attacks poa annua greens, and USGA agronomist Dave Weinecke describes environmental stewardship's true definitions just before lunch. The USGA's Larry Gilhuly will stir alphabet (for the) Supe(rintendent). Executive director Tom Morgan will outline what's new at the SCGA, and USGA green section regional director Pat Gross poses a list: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Screw Up a Green.

Kevin Heaney, the SCGA's director of course rating and a member of the USGA Green Section committee and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Distinguished Service Award winner Bruce Williams of The Los Angeles CC are moderators.

The second UC Riverside Turf Research Advisory Council Golf Tournament is scheduled May 9 at The SCGA Members' Club. Proceeds from entry fees to the event benefit research and education at the University of California, Riverside.

UCRTRAC was formed in 1996 and the SCGA is a charter member along with course superintendent associations, the SCPGA, USGA, California Sod Producers Association and the Southern California Turfgrass Foundation and Council.

UCR has been recognized as a leader among Turfgrass research programs and every dollar donated to its programs has helped to generate three times that amount in grants. Proceeds are used to support research and extension academics in conducting specific projects as required in the industry and additional research staff positions, facilities and equipment.

The $150 entry fee (($70 of which is tax deductible) includes the four-man scramble event with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., lunch, hors d'oeuvres and prizes for both net and gross categories. Long drive, accurate drive, closest to the flagstick contests and a raffle are included in the activities.

Sponsorship availabilities include the $2,500 Platinum level, which provides four player positions, plus recognition; Gold for $1,500 (two players), Silver for $1,000 and Bronze for $500. Hole sponsorships are $250, tee and raffle prize sponsorships are $100. Checks to the Southern California Turfgrass Foundation or major credit cards are accepted for payment.

Deadline for entries is April 27. Contacts are Steve Porus at the tournament office, (800) 500-7282, Bert Spivey of the Southern California course superintendents (626) 912-4542; Chuck Wilson (949) 951-8547, or Dennis Frey (909) 517-1582 of the turf foundation, or Carl Clifton, of the turf council (909) 627-2000; or golf@turfcouncil.org.