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The LaFontaine Golf Outing, a MTF Fundraiser for th MSU Turfgrass Program, took place Wednesday June 18th at Coyote Preserve Golf Club in Fenton.
Despite less-than-ideal weather forecasts, participants managed to play at least half of the planned holes. At the award ceremony following golf, Gordon LaFontaine thanked everyone for their support and highlighted the significance of the Michigan State University Turf Program, calling it the best turfgrass school in the world!
LaFontaine was pleased to introduce both Dr. Thom Nikolai and Dr. Kevin Frank who had significant updates from the MSU Turf Team. Dr. Frank informed the attendees that the MSU Turf Team was pleased to announce that Dr. Ruying Wang had accepted the Joe Vargas Professor in Turfgrass Pathology Position at MSU.
As the selection committee chair for this position Dr. Frank was particularly proud to make the announcement to this group of individuals. Many of the participants were in that same room 4 years prior when Mr. LaFontaine announced the MTF would provide a leadership pledge of $1 million to MSU in honor of Dr. Vargas and the Pathology position. More information is available on Dr. Wang in this notice.
The MTF welcomes Dr. Wang and looks forward to her contributions to the MSU Turf Program. Dr. Nikolai also spoke to the attendees on his new function with the Turf Team as he takes on the online World of Turf class. Dr. Dave Gilstrap will retire at the end of the year and the class will be in the good hands of Dr. Nikolai and his innovative thoughts. Dr. Nikolai was also pleased to inform the group that he has invited and coordinated the USGA to be in attendance for the MSU/MTF Field Day to be held August 13th.He and all the Turf Team encourage all those interested in what the USGA has to say about the game of golf to attend.
MTF Executive Director Carey Mitchelson and President Emeritus Dan Mausolf recognized the winners of the rain-shortened event. The LaFontaine Flight was won by the team of Wojtyniak, Priebe, McKinley, and Jackson, while the Vargas Flight was claimed by the team from Osburn Industries. Closest to the pin winners included Scott Douglas, Robert Bywalec, Brent Wojtyniak, Alex Wise, and Dr. Billete. Alex Wise and Kelsey Schultz won the Long Drive for men and women, respectively, with Andrew and Gina Bey taking the LaFontaine Long Drive #10 honors for men and women.
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