Sportsturf maintenance and groundskeeping on par for GCSAI’s conference

The Golf Course Superintendents Association Of Ireland is the Professional Association for the men and women who manage and maintain the games most valuable asset- the golf course.

The conference will cover turfgrass disease suppression, optimal green fertilisation, understanding fungicides and chemicals, precision turfgrass maintenance and fertilisation, and modern communication methods for club groundskeepers, members, and committees.

Sports & Parks

8 November 2017

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Ireland’s (GCSAI) conference will bring together leading professionals from the groundskeeping and sportsturf maintenance sector for a two day event on November 14 and 15.

The two day event will break down as follows with the desired learning outcomes listed below each presentation:

Day 1.

8.15 – 9.15: Registration

9.15 – 9.20: Welcome and Introduction, GCSAI President, Damien Coleman.

9.20 – 10.20: Dr John Dempsey, Turfgrass Disease, Alternative Ways of Suppression”

Describe and understand the infection process of common turfgrass pathogens and understand current control methods.
Understand how a range of natural compounds can suppress disease.
Describe the effects of rolling on disease incidence.
Have an understanding of the responses turfgrasses have to pathogen challenge and how they can be primed or enhanced by a range of natural compounds.

10.20 – 11.20: Agnar Kvalbein Msc, Demand Driven & Optimal Greens Fertilisation.

The optimal nutrient mixture for grass plants.
The relative growth potential for common green grass species.
How carbohydrate status of the grass is related to nitrogen content.
How to set up a fertilisation plan that provides healthy turf.
How to mix your own liquid fertiliser.

11.20 – 11.40: Tea/Coffee break.

11.40 – 12.40: John Ahern Golfgraffix, Utilising 3D & App Technology for Effective Communication.

Understanding of effective communication.
Understanding of modern tools to aid in communicating course issues to Staff, Members and Committees.

12.40 – 14.40: Lunch and GCSAI Partners Displays.

14.40 – 15.40: Dr Colin Mumford, Bayer, New Chemistry – New Practices.

Learn the processes required to produce a fungicide.
Distinguish between the different chemical groups.
A good understanding of disease resistance.
Integrated disease management.

15.40 – 16.25: Jason Haines, CS, Pender Harbour GC, Precision Turfgrass Management.

What is sustainability and what does it look like?
Steps to take to works towards sustainable operations for your specific circumstances. Every course is different and has different challenges that can be addressed.
A detailed look at how I worked to improve my operations regarding equipment use, fertiliser, pesticide and water use.
A detailed look at how maintenance practices such as mowing can be optimised.
Unexpected observations from minimalist turfgrass management.

Day 2.

9.30 – 12.30: Jason Haines, CS, Pender Harbour GC, Precision Fertilising.
This event is accredited with GCSAI CPD credits and the code will be issued
on the day.

MLSN Guidelines, what are they and how do they work.
Growth Potential and how it can be used to estimate nutrient use for specific climates and grass types.
Using the MLSN and Growth Potential to determine fertiliser needs.
Fertiliser needs based on reality (clipping yield).
Beyond MLSN, using lack of fertiliser to reduce pests in turfgrass.

Registration Fees

GCSAI Member: €75, two Members €135, three Members €190, four Members €245.
Non-Member: €100.
Student: €30.
Above club rates only apply if all attendees are G.C.S.A.I. members.

To purchase your tickets click through with the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/gcsai-irish-turfgrass-professionals-conference-2017-tickets-38103187660