2022 Turfgrass Research Contributors

The turgrass research funding year begins with our annual conference and trade show.  Prior to COVID, these three days would yield about a third of our annual fundraising through the Silent Auction, 50/50 draw and by the efforts of the Kwantlen Turf Club.  In the past, any contributions from allied organizations were presented at the show.

 

Without a conference for the past two years, contributions from WCTA members have been relied upon to ensure continued turfgrass research funding.  A policy somewhat unique amongst associations, 10% of member dues are allocated toward our mandate of financially supporting valuable research projects, even in difficult financial times.

Lead by Stan Kazymerchyk, the Kwantlen Turf  Club is our bright light in terms of additional research fundraising efforts, contributing a record $13,486 from the two Patrick Dooley Memorial Golf Tournaments held in the past fiscal year, October 8, 2021 at Mayfair Lakes in Richmond and again on April 29, 2022 at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club in Langley. 

While COVID necessitated delaying the 2021 tournament into fall, the result was $31,500 total funds raised in 2021/2022, about $4000 higher than the previous year and tied for our best year since 2012.  Thank you Stan, the Dooley family, Kwantlen students and all the volunteers for making this possible!

Money raised this year will be directed toward turf research projects next year.  Where dollars go is decided by the research committee based on a carefully developed list of turf management industry priorities (see below) and $4,000 is earmarked annually for collaborative funding with the Canadian Turf Research Foundation.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank those who serve tirelessly on our Research Committee:  

Peter Sorokovsky - City of Burnaby (Chair)
David Duncan - THP Co. (WCTA Past President)
Ladd Legeyt - Agrium Advanced Technologies (Industry Representative) 
Jim Ross - Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre (retired) 

Current Turfgrass Research Priorities:
- Nutrient and fertility management, best management practices
- Soil and root-zone management, best management practices
- Evaluation of alternatives to pesticides
- Irrigation and water use issues (water quality and reducing water usage)
- Investigations into the biology, ecology and management of current and emerging pests
- Alternative cultivar and species for new turf construction, integration and conversion into existing turf areas
- Species/cultivar evaluation and improved management practices for areas of heavy traffic and wear tolerance