TURF ALUMNI NEWS

DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR THE WILLIAM H. DANIEL TURFGRASS RESEARCH AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

All Purdue turf alumni and friends, MRTF members, and the turf industry of Indiana are invited to the dedication ceremony for the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center at 6:00 pm on July 26^th. The evening will include a short program, tours of the building, hors d‘oeuvres and refreshments. With the Field Day the next morning, a block of rooms has been reserved under the MRTF for the evening of July 26 at the University Inn. To contact the University Inn call 800-777-9808 and mention the MRTF when making room reservations. If you can’t attend the dedication ceremony, feel free to stop by and tour the new facility this summer. Working hours at the Daniel Turf Center are 7:00 am through 4:00 pm Monday through Friday and it is located at 1340 Cherry Lane, just west of the Purdue driving range and golf courses.

Rob Zimmerman (BS 91) is Superintendent at La Cantera Golf Club, San Antonio, TX.

Steve Neuliep (BS 93) is Superintendent at The Country Club of Asheville, Asheville, NC.

Jeff Ranalletta (BS 96) is Assistant Coordinator of Turfgrass for New York City - Central Park, New York City, NY.

Keith Kizer (BS 97) has taken an Assistant Superintendent position at Woodmar Country Club, in Hammond, IN.

Mike Dunk (AS 92) is the Golf Course Superintendent at Harrison Hills, Attica, IN.

Steve Frazier (MS 60) of the Links Group was given the 1999 Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation.

Mike Dana is a Professor of Horticulture. Mike has a strong interest in native flora, particularly the prairie herbaceous plant community. Current research focuses on: 1) establishment methods, 2) assessment of genetic diversity within and between populations, and 3) identification and development of superior horticultural types within native species. His teaching responsibilities include Fundamentals of Horticulture (HORT 101), Herbaceous Landscape Plants (HORT 218), and Landscape Contracting and Maintenance (HORT 317).

Tim Gibb is an extension/research entomologist specializing in Turfgrass IPM. His research centers primarily on the biology of insects and their natural predators, biologicals, and insecticides. He also serves as the Insect Diagnostician with Purdue’s Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory.

Beverly Bratton is the secretary for the Turfgrass Science Program and the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation. She is responsible for registration for extension events, maintaining mailing lists, preparation of event flyers, and daily operation of the office.

Glenn Hardebeck is a Turfgrass Research Agronomist. Glenn’s primary responsibilities include facilitatinging research with Zac Reicher and assisting in extension activities. Glenn is also working on a Masters Degree in the area of biological disease control.

Eric Kohler is the newest member of the turfgrass science program and is pursuing a Ph.D. under Clark Throssell. Having worked in the past on Prograss for annual bluegrass control, Eric continues his interest in turf weeds by studying the biology, ecology, and chemical control of ground ivy. His research uses molecular biology techniques on populations of ground ivy to determine genetic similarity, microscopy techniques to identify morphological variation, and herbicide screenings to characterize ground ivy tolerance to various chemicals.

Put Saturday, September 18 on your calendars. A get-together this fall for Agronomy alums is in process. A brunch/lunch is being planned just for you to meet and greet your old friends, staff and retired staff. We hope you will bring your family and friends. This event will be before the Purdue/Central Michigan football game (a block of tickets will be reserved for the game for those who do not have tickets).

WHY? Because you are important to us and we need to keep in closer contact with all of you. We can support each other by sharing experience, information, research, and ideas.

What better way to start a football weekend? Watch your mail for more details. We’ll see you September 18!

The 1999 Midwest Turf Expo was held January 27-29, at the Convention Center in Indianapolis. Over 1400 turf professionals attended workshops and educational sessions during the three day event. A USGA Regional Seminar was also held in conjunction with the Expo.

At the Expo the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation presented a check to the Purdue Department of Agronomy for $146,000 for annual support of the Turfgrass Program, and an additional check for $100,000 to help complete the William H. Daniel Turfgrass Research and Diagnostic Center.

The 2^nd Turf Alumni and Friends reception was held during the GCSAA Conference and Show in Orlando. The reception was a big success. Over 120 alumni and friends attended, friendships were renewed, and a lot of memories were relived.

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	765-427-4373
Glenn Hardebeck	Research Agronomist	765-494-8087
Dan Weisenberger	Research Agronomist	765-494-8087
Von Sigler	Graduate Research Assistant	765-494-8039
Eric Kohler	Graduate Research Assistant	765-494-8039
Turf Office FAX number		765-496-6335

Last updated 6/15/99