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/231240
STMA in action Optional events enrich Conference experience for attendees CELEBRATE STMA'S 25TH CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION in San Antonio with all the exceptional sessions, seminars, and workshops you've come to expect from the industry's premier sports field association. Explore the rich culture, cuisine and character of a city that has proven to be one of our nation's most endearing travel destinations and benefit from the ultimate learning event of the year! Besides the numerous educational opportunities available to attendees, the conference features many optional activities that are sure to enrich every attendee's experience. SAFE GOLF SCRAMBLE TUES., JAN. 21, 9 AM – 4 PM The SAFE Golf Tournament will be held at The Republic Golf Club, 10 minutes from the STMA host hotel. The course routing follows Salado Creek as it winds through heavily wooded areas, making each hole completely secluded. The terrain is mostly flat and has player-friendly features such as wide fairways with generous landing areas and open approaches. Republic has four sets of tees that allow players to adjust the game to their skill level. Transportation, lunch, hole-in-one and other prizes are included. Rental clubs are available. Pre-registration is required. Fees are donations to The SAFE Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charity of the Sports Turf Managers Association. Proceeds from the tournament go directly to fund scholarships and educational outreach. NEW THIS YEAR – THE SAFE FOUNDATION 5K RUN OR WALK! FRI., JAN. 24, 3 PM. Join your peers in this inaugural event! For your entry fee of $35, you get a great 5K course, an event managed by professionals and a high quality shirt that will definitely become a keepsake. Start training now to take top honors and to help SAFE achieve its goals. Pre-registration is required. 42 SportsTurf | December 2013 SEMINAR ON WHEELS TOUR TUES., JAN. 21 FULL DAY TOUR, 7 AM – 5 PM The tour begins at the STAR soccer complex, a 13-field natural grass complex located in the former Longhorn Quarry. STAR is home to the San Antonio Scorpions, a new professional soccer team playing in the North American Soccer League (NASL). Tour stops also include Texas State's Jim Wacker Football Field in Bobcat Stadium, which recently had a $20 million renovation, and its softball and baseball fields. The baseball field has a special infield mix that reduces the need for tarping. Participants will stop next at the Park West Athletics Complex that holds a new International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) track and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) soccer field at the University of Texas–San Antonio. These facilities opened in August, each seat 1,000 people, and were built through a unique partnership with the university, the City of San Antonio, and Bexar County. The final stop is at Oak Hills Country Club, one of the oldest private country clubs in the country, to tour the renowned tennis centre. It has a rare combination of three court surfaces including grass, clay and hard surface. Transportation and lunch included. Pre-registration and additional fee required. SEMINAR ON WHEELS TOUR FRI., JAN. 24 HALF DAY TOUR, 1 – 5 PM Participants will see the baseball, softball, soccer, football and intramural fields at Trinity University. These fields are in an urban setting and are closely located by each other. Trinity has no practice fields. The next stop is The Park at St. Mary's University, a new sports complex that has baseball, softball and soccer. The new 2200-seat baseball stadium, renamed Dickson Stadium for its benefactor, is built on the steel structure of the previous stadium. The final stop is at Nelson Wolff Stadium, the oldest ballpark in the Texas League and home to the Missions, AA minor league baseball team. Many high schools and colleges play at Nelson Wolff including the UTSA Roadrunners. Transportation provided. Preregistration and additional fee required. RIVERWALK HORTICULTURAL TOUR FRI., JAN. 24 TWO DEPARTURES: 2 – 3 PM AND 2:30 – 3:30 PM Board a barge and take a tour of the worldfamous Riverwalk. Hear how all of the plant materials are managed in a 100 percent organic program from the horticulturists for the Riverwalk. Pre-registration and additional fee required. Each tour is limited to 25 people, so sign up early. CSFM TESTING TUES., JAN. 21, 3:30 – 7:30 PM & SAT., JAN. 25, 8 AM – 12 PM Pre-qualification and pre-registration by Dec. 15 is required for those who wish to take the exam. If you test on Tuesday and do not pass all of the sections, you may be able to retest on those sections on Saturday. To find out if you qualify for the certification program, call STMA at 800-323-3875. ASBA TESTING SAT., JAN. 25, 8 AM – 1 PM The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) offers three certifications for field builders and will be offering these tests during the STMA Conference. To find out if you qualify to test, go to www.sportsbuilders.org. The deadline to apply to test is Dec. 15. Those testing must register for the STMA conference, purchasing a one-day package at a minimum. Questions? Contact ASBA, 866-501-2722. CHAPTER OFFICERS TRAINING – FOR CHAPTER BOARD MEMBERS Tues., Jan. 21, 6 – 9 pm (Dinner provided) Chapter board members are invited to attend a chapter networking and brainstorming session to address the challenges of strengthening your chapter with a focus on how to fundraise and your role as a volunteer leader. Preregistration is required. NEW TIME! WOMEN'S FORUM LUNCH WED., JAN. 22, 12 – 2 PM Celebrating its seventh year, all women at the conference are invited to participate in a facilitated discussion and enjoy lunch. n www.sportsturfonline.com