NTA CLIMBS TOWARD $90,000 IN GRANTS

via NTA

With a big assist from the Western Canada Turfgrass Association, the Board of Directors of the Northwest Turfgrass Association is directing $80,000 toward turfgrass research studies being conducted at Oregon State University and Washington State University in 2026 and is expected to award at least $10,000 in scholarships this year as well.

That total of more than $90,000 surpasses any single year amount the NTA has donated in the past 15 years and the NTA now is setting its sights on being able to consistently award more than $100,000 in grants and scholarships every year.

Several big boosts to the NTA’s efforts have come in the past year from various corners of the golf community.

The WCTA has shown its confidence in the NTA’s research process by donating $6,500(US) to the cause this year, the first time the WCTA has contributed to the NTA’s efforts.

Washington Golf, always the biggest supporter of the NTA, increased its donation by 40 percent and is now more than $30,000 each year.

The Inland Empire Golf Course Superintendents Association is helping the NTA’s cause for the second consecutive year with $2,000 going toward research and $1,250 toward scholarships.

As always, golfers through their private clubs in the Seattle area have helped the NTA’s efforts with donations. Right now, Sahalee, Sand Point, Fircrest, Glendale and Everett G&CC are donating $17,000 overall on an annual basis, and the NTA will be seeking more contributions through this method later this year.

Proceeds from the NTA’s annual conference, set this year for The Pronghorn Club outside of Bend, Ore., help support these research grants. Registration for the conference this year is scheduled to open May 1.

In 2026, the NTA will be sending $65,000 toward six different studies being conducted at OSU’s Lewis-Brown Farm in Corvallis under the direction of Dr. Chas Schmid. There will be $15,000 going toward a study at Washington State University under the direction of Dr. David Crowder.

More information on these grants, assisting the NTA in its research efforts and the NTA’s annual conference is available by contacting Paul Ramsdell, the executive director of the NTA, at mpsparks90@aol.com or 253-219-8360, or by visiting the NTA’s web site, www.nwturfgrass.net

Here is the breakdown of donations from the NTA in 2026 as voted on by the Board of Directors after recommendations from the Research Committee:

Evaluating scarification timing and frequency effects on soil physical properties and playability of an annual bluegrass green.
Oregon State University $18,000.00

Sampling and phenology of turfgrass insects.
Washington State University $15,000.00

Modeling growth regulation of demethylation inhibitor fungicides on annual bluegrass putting greens.
Oregon State University $15,000.00

Long-term effects of topdressing and cultivation practices on an annual putting green: years 6-8.
Oregon State University $12,000.00

Winter foot traffic effect on annual bluegrass putting green quality.
Oregon State University $10,000.00

Evaluating cultivation timing effects on annual bluegrass recovery and playability
Oregon State University $5,000.00

Evaluating cultural management practices to control plant-parasitic nematodes in the Pacific Northwest
USDA and Oregon State University $5,000.00