SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/517437
www.stma.org June 2015 | SportsTurf 37 TPI members vary but many specialize in sports fields, working closely with sports turf managers serving in an advisory role in the decision-making process, such as whether or not to bring a different soil mix into the venue, how the sod should be grown and maintained at the farm then on the field, assisting with post- installation care, etc. These support services may include everything from new field design to annual maintenance programs from installation to total field renovation and take into account such factors as root zone amendments, drainage, irrigation, etc. It's somewhat safe to say that the list for NFL stadiums, MLB parks, college stadiums, etc., that rely on turfgrass grown and harvested by TPI members is substantial and likely represents the vast majority of stadiums and ballparks throughout the US. Those turfgrass growers who serve the sports industry have a great deal in common, whether they're involved in prepping an NFL stadium in the US or providing their services and expertise for a soccer stadium in South America or the UK. They want to provide an athletic playing field that offers functionality, stabil- ity, safety, requires low inputs, provides wear tolerance, is quick to recover and is visually appealing. Those who specialize to sports fields often analyze every detail in the development, design and execution of a project and offer assurance that the turfgrass they provide serves the specific needs of the customers and the athletes. TPI remains the only international trade association dedicated to encouraging the use of turfgrass worldwide. Its membership exceeds 700 and the association could no doubt claim that its members easily represents the top turfgrass pro- ducers, not just in the US but in the world. It's also worth noting that professional sports turf managers can take advantage of TPI's Industry Associate member class to receive many benefits, including the bi-monthlyTurf News magazine, which includes information about the latest turfgrass research. TPI's president, Eddie Keeven, Jr. is quick to point out, "TPI is a global organization: a collection of turfgrass growers, industry suppliers, educators and advocates from all over the world." Many companies and associations toss about the term "fam- ily" to describe the organizational culture, but at TPI the term isn't used lightly. Association members may have a competitive kinship but because TPI is international in scope a turfgrass pro- ducer in Tennessee, Texas or California is almost always willing to provide information or assistance to a fellow turfgrass producer from another region or country that may be growing a similar grass or struggling with familiar challenges. In fact, TPI member surveys have consistently shown that networking opportunities are the number one benefit of belonging to the association. If members have a problem they know they can reach out to a fellow producer to find a resolution. If one of their customers seeks