TURF ALUMNI NEWS

The Purdue Turf Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation will host a reception for alumni, friends, and MRTF members at the GCSAA Conference and Show in New Orleans, LA. If you will be attending the GCSAA Conference then plan on stopping by the New Orleans Marriott on Friday, February 18, 2000. The Reception is from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in Salons A, B, and C.

Think of PURDUE with turf management opportunities. The Turf Program continues to enjoy a strong undergraduate enrollment. This is primarily due to people like yourself keeping us informed of available positions. If you know of an opening please send an announcement to our office so it can be posted for the students; they are interested in employment opportunities in all areas of the country.

Von passed his Ph.D. thesis examination on December 14. He has accepted a position with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich Switzerland. Von and his wife Libby will be leaving in late January. Congratulations and good luck Von.

Von Sigler received the Musser Foundation Fellowship in February 1999. The Musser Foundation Fellowship is awarded to one Ph.D. candidate studying Turfgrass Science each year. Ph.D. students from all across the country compete for the award. The primary basis for receiving the Fellowship is conducting innovative research in Turfgrass Science. We are all very proud of Von for all his accomplishments especially being named the recipient of the prestigious Musser Foundation Fellowship. Von joins Zac Reicher (Ph.D. 93) as Purdue University Ph.D. students that have received the Musser Foundation Fellowship.

Paul F. Grogan (BS 71), formerly at Harrison Lake CC, IN is now at The Kenney Corporation, Indianapolis, IN.

Grant Smith (BS87), formerly at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, is now at The Kenney Corporation, Indianapolis, IN.

Scott Calvert (Assoc 92), formerly at Terra International, is now at Turf Partners, Fishers, IN.

Rich Shamo (BS 94), formerly at South Bend CC, IN is now at Hazeldon CC, Brook, IN.

Ed Devlin (BS 95), formerly at the Country Club of Indianapolis, is now at Harbour Trees Golf Club, Noblesville, IN.

Gary Myers (BS 95), formerly at Valhalla Golf Club is now at Harrison Lake Country Club in Columbus, IN.

Chad Conklin (BS 96), fomerly at Kankakee CC, IL is now at Spencer T. Olin GC, Alton, IL.

Maurice Bohman (BS 96), formerly at The Legends of Indiana Golf Course, is now at Greensburg CC, Greensburg, IN.

Trevor Keller (BS 97), formerly of Sultans Run Golf Course, is now at Cambridge Golf Club, Evansville, IN.

Dan Murphy (BS 98), formerly at The Merit Club, is now at Prairie View Golf Club, Carmel, IN.

Tad Smith (BS 98), formerly at Changing Seasons Inc, is now at IPFW, Fort Wayne, IN.

Brian Thompson (BS 99), formerly at Lochmoor Club, is now at Elcona Country Club, Bristol, IN.

Yes, now we have our very own Purdue Turf lapel pins. Donations for the pins go directly to the Purdue Turf Endowment Fund.

The idea came from Mark Liddy (BS 76) and Turf Specialties Corporation, a strong local supporter, has picked up the cost of producing the first 1000 pins, enabling all donations that are collected for the pins to go directly to the Purdue Turf Endowment. The "P" pins can be obtained for a $10.00 donation. Contact Bev Bratton in the Turf office for information at 765-494-8039.

We appreciate everyone who attended to make this a special evening for the Turf Program and also an especially memorable evening for Gwen and the Entire Daniel family. Much of Bill's family attended including Gwen, Don and Sue, and their families. A highlight of the evening was a wonderful talk by Don Daniel, reliving some of the more memorable experiences of his father's life.

Alumni were in attendance from Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, and Nebraska. The event took place in one of the tents that were set up for Field Day on July 27. Hors d'oeuvres were served to start the evening. Presentations were made by Clark Throssell, Vic Lechtenburg, Bill McFee, and Morgan Burke.

Over 200 Purdue alumni, friends of the Purdue Turf Program and Daniel Family, and industry leaders attended the dedication of the Wm. H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center on Monday evening, July 26. The Daniel Turf Center is a 22-acre research facility located on the edge of Purdue University campus and is immediately adjacent to the newly-renovated, Pete Dye-designed Kampen Golf Course. The Daniel Turf Center features research projects on many aspects of lawn, sports, and golf turf and a state-of-the-art educational facility complete with a teaching laboratory. The Daniel Turf Center is named in honor of Dr. Bill Daniel, long time Purdue professor and one of the pioneers in the turf industry.

For the second consecutive year, the Purdue Student Chapter of the GCSAA will have a booth at the GCSAA Conference and Show. Developing the booth and attending the GCSAA Conference and Show is the major project of the Student Chapter. If you are in New Orleans drop by the booth and visit with the students. The booth will be located in the University/College Pavilion section.

The Midwest Regional Turf Foundation (MRTF) sponsored the 2nd MRTF Golf Day at the Kampen Golf Course in October. The goal of Golf Day is to promote turfgrass research, raise awareness of the Turf Program and have an enjoyable day of golf. This goal was exceeded as more than 100 players enjoyed a beautiful day on a fantastic golf course. Golf course superintendent Jim Scott (Assoc 87), Kevin Potts and Scott White had the course in great shape. Director of Golf Devon Brouse (BS 87) and Head Professional Doug Hill worked hard behind the scenes to make sure everything went smoothly. Over $2,000 was raised to support turfgrass research. The MRTF Golf Day in 2000 will be held on Thursday, October 5. We hope many of our Turf Alumni will play in the event.

Many of you have taken advantage of the form available from the web page to keep us updated on your employment and addresses. Others have mailed or phoned in the information. Thank you all, we try to keep our records up to date and your help is greatly appreciated.

Clark Throssell	Turf Science	765-494-4785
Zac Reicher	Turf Science	765-494-9737
Rick Latin	Turf Pathology	765-494-4639
Tim Gibb	Turf Entomology	765-494-4570
Mike Dana	Ornamental Grasses	765-494-5923
Bev Bratton	Secretary	765-494-8039
Don Fassnacht	Daniel Turf Center Manager	765-496-6566
Glenn Hardebeck	Research Agronomist	765-494-8087
Dan Weisenberger	Research Agronomist	765-494-8087
Eric Kohler	Graduate Research Assistant	765-494-8039
Turf Office FAX number		765-496-6335

Last updated 2/2/00