In this issue....
Let the Season Begin
New GTI Golf Irrigation Technician Course - May 3-4
New GTI Website
GTI Vision 2027
GTI Research Field Day - August 21
Fall 2008 Turf Diploma Admissions Update

Let the Season Begin
It looks like spring is finally here although there is a winter storm warning (freezing rain) is in effect for Peterborough and the Kawarthas for tomorrow as well as snow flurries in southern Ontario so perhaps we are not quite free of winter's grip. The recent warm weather has no doubt started the phone ringing at golf courses, seen homeowners out raking their lawns and probably a few soccer balls have been kicked about on sports fields across the province. I spoke with local sod grower Ron Schiedel from Greenhorizons earlier this week and he hopes to be cutting sod in a couple weeks. Golf courses in the more southern areas of the province are likely open and even in the Guelph area some of the public courses plan to be open by this weekend. On the Guelph campus, turf diploma students are finishing their final exams this week and heading out to the internship positions or permanent jobs in the case of graduating students. We expect to have students doing internships in Germany, Scotland and across Canada this summer.
- Rob Witherspoon, GTI Director

New GTI Golf Irrigation Technician Course
May 3-4, 2008
This course, to be taught by Irrigation Professional Dean Cormack, is designed to train golf course employees in the fundamentals of Irrigation.  It will cover everything from soils and plant requirements to equipment and troubleshooting. Using a combination of lectures and hands-on labs, this 20 hour course will help prepare the successful attendee to have the skills required to work in Golf Course Irrigation. This weekend course will be held at the GTI on May 3rd and 4th. All equipment will be supplied, as will refreshments during our morning and afternoon break. For more details and registration information follow this link.

New GTI Website
www.guelphturfgrass.ca
Over the winter we have been working on the development of our new website. The site is a work in progress and we would certainly appreciate your feedback on features you would like to see. We plan to bring back the popular turf managers bulletin boards as well as begin on-line publication of our advisory bulletin The GTI Advisor later this month. Take a look around the site and if you have any suggestions, contact us at info@guelphturfgrass.ca.
Until the new website is fully operational, you will still be able to access our old website.

GTI Vision 2027
As part of the GTI's 20th anniversary activities, last November a diverse group of industry, government and university leaders gathered to forge a renewed vision for the next 20 years at the GTI. The result is Vision 2027, a document which outlines our past achievements and provides goals for future research, education and outreach. The document is also a key component in communicating with local and provincial government as the facility moves forward. The entire document can be viewed by following this link.

GTI Research Field Day
Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the GTI Research Field Day on August 21, 2008. It will be great opportunity to see the expanded research activities at the GTI and discuss your own turf management challenges with GTI faculty and staff. Watch your inbox for details as we get closer to the event.

Fall 2008 Turf Diploma Admissions Update
Are you interested or know of someone interested in pursuing the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management at the University of Guelph this fall? If so, application are now being considered for Fall, 2008 entry to the two year diploma program. Early application is recommended to improve the chances of admission to the program. If you are interested in the program, please contact Rob Witherspoon at robwith@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-4120 ext. 56886.

That's it for now. Time to check out how Mike and Stephen are doing at Augusta.

In this issue....
Let the Season Begin
New GTI Golf Irrigation Technician Course - May 3-4
New GTI Website
GTI Vision 2027
GTI Research Field Day - August 21
Fall 2008 Turf Diploma Admissions Update

Let the Season Begin
It looks like spring is finally here although there is a winter storm warning (freezing rain) is in effect for Peterborough and the Kawarthas for tomorrow as well as snow flurries in southern Ontario so perhaps we are not quite free of winter's grip. The recent warm weather has no doubt started the phone ringing at golf courses, seen homeowners out raking their lawns and probably a few soccer balls have been kicked about on sports fields across the province. I spoke with local sod grower Ron Schiedel from Greenhorizons earlier this week and he hopes to be cutting sod in a couple weeks. Golf courses in the more southern areas of the province are likely open and even in the Guelph area some of the public courses plan to be open by this weekend. On the Guelph campus, turf diploma students are finishing their final exams this week and heading out to the internship positions or permanent jobs in the case of graduating students. We expect to have students doing internships in Germany, Scotland and across Canada this summer.
- Rob Witherspoon, GTI Director

New GTI Golf Irrigation Technician Course
May 3-4, 2008
This course, to be taught by Irrigation Professional Dean Cormack, is designed to train golf course employees in the fundamentals of Irrigation.  It will cover everything from soils and plant requirements to equipment and troubleshooting. Using a combination of lectures and hands-on labs, this 20 hour course will help prepare the successful attendee to have the skills required to work in Golf Course Irrigation. This weekend course will be held at the GTI on May 3rd and 4th. All equipment will be supplied, as will refreshments during our morning and afternoon break. For more details and registration information follow this link.

New GTI Website
www.guelphturfgrass.ca
Over the winter we have been working on the development of our new website. The site is a work in progress and we would certainly appreciate your feedback on features you would like to see. We plan to bring back the popular turf managers bulletin boards as well as begin on-line publication of our advisory bulletin The GTI Advisor later this month. Take a look around the site and if you have any suggestions, contact us at info@guelphturfgrass.ca.
Until the new website is fully operational, you will still be able to access our old website.

GTI Vision 2027
As part of the GTI's 20th anniversary activities, last November a diverse group of industry, government and university leaders gathered to forge a renewed vision for the next 20 years at the GTI. The result is Vision 2027, a document which outlines our past achievements and provides goals for future research, education and outreach. The document is also a key component in communicating with local and provincial government as the facility moves forward. The entire document can be viewed by following this link.

GTI Research Field Day
Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the GTI Research Field Day on August 21, 2008. It will be great opportunity to see the expanded research activities at the GTI and discuss your own turf management challenges with GTI faculty and staff. Watch your inbox for details as we get closer to the event.

Fall 2008 Turf Diploma Admissions Update
Are you interested or know of someone interested in pursuing the Associate Diploma in Turfgrass Management at the University of Guelph this fall? If so, application are now being considered for Fall, 2008 entry to the two year diploma program. Early application is recommended to improve the chances of admission to the program. If you are interested in the program, please contact Rob Witherspoon at robwith@uoguelph.ca or 519-824-4120 ext. 56886.

That's it for now. Time to check out how Mike and Stephen are doing at Augusta.