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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/141613
Tools&Equipment Figure 7 - Links to herbicide label and MSDS information array of turf and ornamental species listed on the product label, suggested application rates, and remarks and precautions to adhere to before applying the product (Figure 6). Lastly, this page will contain links to each product's label and material safety data sheet (Figure 7). It is always the herbicide applicator's responsibility, by law, to read and follow all current label directions for the specific herbicide being used. HOW TO ACCESS MOBILE WEED MANUAL Simply visit www.mobileweedmanual.com using the internet browser on any mobile device. It is recommended that individuals bookmark the site and create a shortcut to it on their home screen (Figure 8). There are directions on the Mobile Weed Manual home page to guide users through this simple process. Creating a shortcut on the home screen will facilitate faster access to Mobile Weed Manual content in the future. At the current time Mobile Weed Manual is a free resource. Should users find value in the content provided, Figure 8 - Mobile they can donate funding (in an Weed Manual shortcut on the bottom amount of their choosing) to support right-hand side of the continued development of this new home screen on an iPhone. weed control resource. Donations can be made by selecting the "Support" button on the Mobile Weed Manual main page (Figure 9). The University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team hopes that Mobile Weed Manual becomes a valuable tool for all green industry professionals managing weeds. The site will be updated continually to expand the database of turf, ornamental, and weed species information, as well as to include information on new herbicides entering the marketplace. Since debuting online in May 2013, the site has been used by individuals managing turf and ornamenFigure 9 - Support tals in all 50 United States and 44 link for users intercountries worldwide. Our hope is that ested in donating funding to support Mobile Weed Manual use expands continued developeven further in the future. ment of Mobile Weed Manual. Please send any questions, concerns, or comments on Mobile Weed Manual to info@mobileweedmanual.com. Also be sure to stay in touch with the University of Tennessee Turf & Ornamental Weed Science Team at http://tennesseeturfgrass weeds.org n www.stma.org FUTURE TURF MANAGERS EVENT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL FUTURE L ast month Jacobsen hosted more than 20 college seniors from top turfgrass programs around the world as part of its annual Future Turf Managers event. The annual event gives students a unique opportunity to experience professional turfgrass man- Top: ABBY MCNEAL, agement at the highest level. During the 3-day CSFM, Director of Turf Manevent, students visit with top sports field managers agement at Wake Forest Uniand golf course superintendents, hear leadingversity, gives the group an edge presentations from top universities and get overview of the STMA and shares some advice about an insider's look at Jacobsen's turf maintenance ongoing training and player equipment. Attendees must be recommended by directors expectations. or professors at turfgrass programs. Students were Bottom: CLARK COX, CSFM, selected from more than 20 colleges and universi- University of South Carolina ties, including Penn State University, Texas A&M Sports Turf Manager, shares University, Mississippi State University, Iowa State his experiences and challenges of managing turfgrass University and North Dakota State University. The group also included an international student from in the transition zone. Myerscough College in Lancashire, England. Jacobsen University hosted several educational sessions, which included a presentation from Abby McNeal, CSFM, Director of Turf Management at Wake Forest University. McNeal gave the group an overview of the Sports Turf Managers Association and shared some advice about ongoing training and player expectations. "I've always been told not to be afraid to take the ground balls," said McNeal. "Take basic courses to keep your skills sharp like fertilizer calculation or machine calibration. It's amazing how much you forget over the years. "Joe DiMaggio once said that every game there could be a kid who's seeing him for the first or last time and he owed it to them to give his best," McNeal told the group. "It's the same with our profession: every game you prepare for is the most important of the season, whether its Pop Warner football or an NFL playoff game." The group also heard from Dr. Jim Brosnan of the University of Tennessee, who gave a presentation on herbicide resistance. Research has shown that herbicide resistance is being perpetuated by turf managers who use the same modes of action, year after year. "Some of the guys I talk to out there are using the same herbicides in the same way for years," Brosnan told the group. "And they wonder why their grass is resistant to herbicide. The key is rotating your modes of action to avoid resistance." One of the highlights of the week included a visit to the University of South Carolina (USC), home of the back-to-back College World Series champions in NCAA Division I men's baseball. USC Sports Turf Manager Clark Cox gave students an exclusive look behind-the-scenes at the school's state-of-the-art sports complex. Cox also shared his experiences and challenges of managing turfgrass in the transition zone. Reflecting on the event, students said their experiences will better prepare them for their job search and future careers. "This event made me more confident about finding a job and better prepared for the work that lies ahead," said Robert Glenn, graduating senior at Mississippi State University. "Plus, the fact that I have contacts at two upper echelon sports facilities extends my networking reach even further." It was also encouraging is how positive the recent graduates are about job opportunities. "I'm not really worried about getting a job," said Derek Christensen, graduating senior at North Dakota State University. "The last 3 years, all the turfgrass graduates from our school found jobs right away. I think this week has put me in a great mindset to begin my job search." n