Dear Turf Cooperators, 

This year's snow mold plot viewing is scheduled for Thursday, May 1 at 10:00 am. As in the past, we will meet at the pro shop at Treetops/Sylvan Resort in Gaylord, MI, and travel as a group to the plots.. Disease pressure is moderate, with an average of 48% disease in the untreated control plots. This is a little less than we expected based on the winter we just experienced.  The golf course will be open at the time of our tour so an accurate attendance count will be vital to making sure we have enough carts available to transport our group to the plots. Please be sure to RSVP to dykema@msu.edu with the number of attendees you expect. Feel free to invite others to attend as well, but please include them in your RSVP. We plan to hold the tour as scheduled unless there is significant snowfall which hinders the plot viewing. 

The address to the resort is: Treetops Resort
3962 Wilkinson Road, Gaylord, MI 49735
1-888-TREETOPS (888-873-3867) Remember, we’re meeting at the pro shop, not the main resort, but this will get you to the property if you’re using a GPS system. From the Gaylord exit off I-75 (exit #282), proceed east through Gaylord on Rt 32 until you reach Chester Rd (2-3 miles east of town).  Turn left (north) on Chester Rd and proceed until it dead ends on Wilkinson Rd (1-2 miles).  Turn right (east) on Wilkinson Rd and proceed about 1 mile to the resort entrance on the left.  The pro shop is located on the first drive on the left. 
 
As always, be prepared for any weather conditions for the tour.  Rainy and cold weather gear is recommended.  We will conduct the tour despite light rain or non-accumulating snow.
 
Feel free to bring as many associates along as you wish, but please RSVP with the number of people attending from your organization either by emailing me at dykema@msu.edu (best method) or by calling our lab at 517-353-9082 and leaving a message.  If you RSVP by phone, please leave an email address where we can send a message in case the plot tour is cancelled for some reason.
 
If you have any questions, you can contact us at 517-353-9082.  We are looking forward to seeing you.
 
Sincerely,
 
Nancy Dykema
Research Assistant
Michigan State University

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation (MTF) is a nonprofit organization which supports research at Michigan State University to find better turfgrasses and better methods of turfgrass maintenance. Incorporated in 1957, the MTF has achieved success in fulfilling these needs through research and education. Located at the Robert W. Hancock Turfgrass Research Center on the Michigan State University campus, the MTF continues its successes in these areas by working closely with the University and the industry.

Our membership reflects the full diversity of turfgrass professionals including homeowners, golf courses, seed and sod growers, municipalities, parks and recreational areas, lawn and landscape contractors, sports turf managers, athletic associations, cemetery associations, and other facets of the industry. Membership is offered to anyone interested in the betterment and enjoyment of turfgrass.

The mission of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation is:
"To work in partnership with Michigan State University, supporting ongoing programs in research, education, and extension in the area of professional turfgrass management that will benefit all individuals who manage turfgrasses or derive pleasure from the results of such management."

The MSU Department of Plant Pathology has created a Web site intended to help you learn the key identification characteristics of common and not-so-common turfgrass diseases found in Michigan and the midwest. Correct identification is the first step to proper management.We have created biography pages for each disease to help you better understand why diseases invade. The biography pages include information on habitat, alternative common names (AKA), look-a-likes, management practices and chemical controls. Please visit msuturfdiseases.net to utilize this invaluable tool.

Rebecca Schoch, Executive Secretary
Michigan Turfgrass Foundation
PO Box 27156
Lansing, MI 48909-7156
517.392.5003 | Fax: 989.936.5911
miturfgrass@gmail.com 
mtfconference.org
teetimes4turf.com