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A heartfelt thank you to all the speakers, attendees, vendors, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the 94th Annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference! Your efforts made this event truly memorable.

Conference Recap

Day One - January 7, 2025

Day one kicked off with sessions focused on Golf and Turfgrass Management. MTF Executive Director Carey Mitchelson, alongside Turf Team members Dr. Kevin Frank and Dr. Trey Rogers, welcomed attendees and provided updates for the conference. The afternoon featured presentations from several prominent figures in the turf industry.

2024-2025 Scholarship Winners

As the educational sessions concluded, Dr. Rogers presented scholarships to the deserving Turfgrass students at MSU:

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Awards

Norman W. Kramer Outstanding Student Award - Addison Donahue
Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award - Anthony Lalonde
Robert Hancock Award - Trent Bortnichak
Sports and Commercial Turf Award - Tristan Ziola
Shanty Creek Resort - Superintendent as Executive Award - Glenn Schweihofer
MTF Merit Scholar Award - Isobelle Brasher

Michigan State University Awards

Hall and Mark Vogler Scholarship - Joe Zimmerlee, Mackenzie Hanselman
Tuck and Becky Tate Scholarship - Tyler Hild, Tyler Warren, Matt McDonald
Charles and Frances Osterman Scholarship - Lucas Courtemanche, Zack Flink, Jack Judge, Joshua Kares, Grant Kieft, Seth Knutson
Billy Olsen Family Scholarship - Owen Adams
James and Harriett Beard Outstanding Turfgrass Graduate Student - Jackie Guevara, Ryan Bearss

State Association Awards

Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association - Isobelle Brasher, Andrew Dorland, Tyler Hild, Maxum Verleye

Michigan Sports Field Managers Association - Tristin Ziola, London Kamstra

National Awards

Golf Course Superintendents Association of America - Allan MacCurrach Award - Andrew Dorland

GCSAA Scholarships - Trenton Bortnichak, Joe Wilczynski, Matthew Brown

Sports Fields Managers Association - James Watson Award - Tristin Ziola

Samuel I. Russell Foundation Awards - Colin Hersh, Joshua Higgs

Trans-Miss Golf Association Turfgrass Scholarships - Tyler Hild, Trent Bortnichak, Tyler Warren, Anthony Lalonde

American Society Golf Course Architects Wadsworth Scholarship - Grant Keift

Caveman Construction Scholarship - Tyler Hild

Welcome Reception

The first day concluded with a Welcome Reception, providing an excellent opportunity for attendees to network with fellow turfgrass professionals and unwind after a full day of classes. The MTF Board of Directors were pleased to recognize Dr. Kevin Frank for his 25 years of commitment to the MTF Conference planning and education oversight. Additionally, the reception featured the presentation of the MTF Meritorious Service Award, which was appropriately awarded to Doug Johannigsmeier. The evening wrapped up with remarks from Dr. Wei Zhang, Interim Department Chair and Professor of Environmental and Soil Physics.

Day Two -January 8, 2025

In addition to the Golf and Turfgrass Management sessions, Day Two featured topics for Sports Fields and Assistant Superintendents. Following lunch and afternoon educational workshops, the day wrapped up with the highly anticipated Vendor Show held in the expansive Entertainment Hall of the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the closest to the pin contest at the simulator, indulge on appetizers and explore the latest innovations and services in the turfgrass industry.

The MTF thanks all vendors who participated in the show and also thanks all Conference Sponsors who help make the event possible. In addition a special thank you goes to everyone who bid in the Silent Auction. Your generosity helps support the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and its mission to fund turfgrass research at MSU.

Day Three - January 9, 2025

Day Three Wraps up the 2025 Turfgrass Conference - Save the Date for Next Year!

The conference concluded on day three with sessions focused on Golf and Turfgrass Management. The session's themes included renovation and restoration projects, useful tips and tricks along with reviews and recaps.

Thank you again, to everyone who participated or attended, for making this event another fantastic experience. We are excited to invite you to next year's conference which will be held from January 13-15, 2026, at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for another fantastic Turfgrass Conference!

 

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our conference sponsors one last time. It goes without saying that your support is crucial for the foundation to continue its vital work in advancing turfgrass research.

Scholarship Banner - Stine Turf & Snow
Lanyard- AcuSpray
Lawn Care Speaker Track - Gowan USA
Golf Speaker Track - MiGCSA
Golf Speaker Track -MGCA
Coffee Cup - Helena
Welcome Reception - MTESP
Coffee - Rain Bird
Coffee - Syngenta
Lunch - NuFarm
Welcome Reception - DeBuck’s Sod Farm, Inc.
Welcome Reception - Revels Tractor
Welcome Reception - C.W. Golf Achitecture
Vendor Show Food - Porous Pave
Meritorious Award Dinner - Harrell’s
Coffee & Lunch - Advanced Turf Solutions
Sports Turf Speaker Track - MiSFMA
Vendor Show Food - Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Ammon Pence Group