The budgeting process is a necessary element of enhancing your position as the manager of the largest asset - the golf course. Major topics covered in the seminar are preparing operating budgets, controlling with budgets, capital budgeting and cash budgets. This seminar examines effective resource management for positive financial results, managing your resources, and revising your budget throughout the fiscal year.

2. Identification and Management of Diseases
MDA Credits - 2, Comm. Core or 3b
9:30 - 12:00
Dr. David Roberts
Michigan State University Extension

This is the ninth year in a row for this highly rated class. Participants will learn how to diagnose and differentiate between diseases and pests that attack ornamental trees and shrubs in the landscape. Special attention will be developed to the Emerald Ash Borer, the new invasive pest discovered by Dr. Roberts, and other lethal problems that plague landscapes and highly maintained turf areas. Samples will be provided for diagnosing the diseases and management of the problems to be discussed. Handouts will be provided in this hands-on school.
Enrollment will be limited to 40 persons.

Learn about the causes and physiological implications of traffic stress. Apply this knowledge to develop practical solutions to traffic problems on golf courses and other high traffic turf areas and learn to utilize research results and solutions that have been implemented and proven successful by turfgrass managers

Understanding the soils that support the turfgrass system is often the key to maintaining high quality turf. This workshop will cover soils basics such as structure, compaction, and layering and then move on to more advanced concepts such as selecting top-dressing materials and managing organic matter accumulation.

This workshop will start with the basics and expand from there. Topics of discussion include the three primary nutrients required by turfgrass: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The use and fate of these nutrients in turfgrass will be covered. Fertility recommendations for different turfgrass uses will be addressed. Special attention will be given to fertilizers recommendations for bentgrass putting greens.

This is the ninth year in a row for this highly rated class. Participants will learn how to diagnose and differentiate between diseases and pests that attack ornamental trees and shrubs in the landscape. Special attention will be developed to the Emerald Ash Borer, the new invasive pest discovered by Dr. Roberts, and other lethal problems that plague landscapes and highly maintained turf areas. Samples will be provided for diagnosing the diseases and management of the problems to be discussed. Handouts will be provided in this hands-on school.
Enrollment will be limited to 40 persons.

Wiring problems can consume hours of your valuable time. However, if you are skilled in the proper steps and techniques of electrical troubleshooting, fixing a field wiring problem could take minutes instead of hours. This class will train you to properly use volt-ohm meters and how to diagnose wiring problems based on their readings. The correct use and application of wire locating equipment is also covered. You will learn the most effective steps in sorting out confusing electrical problems so you will rarely have to resort to running new wire to solve your problems.
Enrollment will be limited to 40 persons.

The workshop will focus on discussion and identification of turfgrass insects in Michigan including insects classified as pests, beneficials, and incidentals. Not all bugs are bad, come and learn how to identify the bad from the good and which 'buggers' might actually help you. Don't miss this opportunity to identify specimens and learn about management options.
Transportation is provided to MSU laboratory. Class size is limited to 21.

This workshop will include photos and audio recordings (when appropriate) of the more common birds, butterflies, dragonflies, amphibians, and snakes that might be sighted on you grounds. Suggestions for nest box placement and habitat management modifications to increase wildlife diversity will be included. Suggested identification references will be provided and current citizen science programs available for participation will be highlighted

Successful trufgrass management is maintaining turf through environmental stress periods. Identifying the type of environmental stress (cold, heat, drought, shade) and the damage that is caused will lead to management practices to minimize turf injury. The objective of the workshop is to identify the major components of winter injury and summer decline and then develop management programs to minimize any damage caused by these stresses.

The Turfgrass Information File(TGIF) at MSU contains the most comprehensive collection of turfgrass educational materials publicly available in the world. One person per computer guarantees an opportunity to learn your way around this extensive resource. Learn how to use TGIF from your work or home computer.
Transportation is provided to MSU Library. Class size is limited to 30.

Annual bluegrass is an important golf turf species around the world. Successful cultural management and control programs are rooted in understanding annual bluegrass growth and development. This seminar will outline the key concepts that shape successful management and control programs.

Focus is on the many aspects of germination and seeding development; shoot/root development and function; and inflorescence formation and seed production. A thorough understanding of these "morphogenetic" processes forms much of the basis for contemporary turfgrass cultural operations.

This seminar covers a multi-disciplined approach in providing golf course superintendents the tools they need to deal with the age-old problem of shaded greens. Topics include the politics of tree removal, tree pruning, and choosing the trees for pruning and/or removal. Learn how to use computer models to assist in tree management practices and how to deal with irrational aversions to tree removal.

Plant growth regulators are quickly becoming and standard turf management tool. How do they work? How is the physiology, stress tolerance, disease tolerance, etc. affected by plant growth regulators? These topics along with practical tips on the use of currently available plant growth regulators will be covered.

The challenges of athletic turf management can often be a daunting task. Participant expectations routinely exceed the limits of labor and resources. This workshop will help the sports turf manager promote a healthy, safe and playable surface within the limits of available resources.

This course reviews new turfgrass, their availability, their potential use, and defines their positive and negative attributes. Procedures for interpreting and using turfgrass evaluation data (i.e. university, industry, and Web-based data) in proper turfgrass selection are covered. Case studies and situational scenarios, involving appropriate turfgrass selection, assist participants in developing the ability to glean the appropriate information sources and data needed to select the best turfgrass for their situation.

This workshop will provide participants with a working knowledge of how fungicide performance is influenced by turf maintenance practices, environmental conditions, and pathogen biology. It will include a review of fungicide classification, a discussion of the characteristics of different chemistries, and commentary on issues of fungicide resistance. Where appropriate, the relative efficacy of different fungicides against specific diseases will be addressed.

19. Mechanics Workshop
9:00 - 3:30
Brad Fynweaver, Rob Barton, Jeff Spencer
Workshop held at the MSU Livestock Pavillion

The "Hands On" approach is what this workshop is all about. The class this year will focus on three topic areas: arc welding, mig welding, and bio-based products. The arc- welding portion will cover: metal preparation, welding rod selection, heat range selection, and hands on welding. Mig welding will cover: metal preparation, heat range selection, proper gas selection, and hands on welding. Bio-based products will be discussed by Jeff Spencer of the Department of Environmental Quality. Bio-based products are considered to be environmentally responsible and designed to be alternatives to replace petroleum based products.

Participants should wear work clothes and bring welding helmets - this is truly "hands on". For the trade show at conference (4:30 - 6:30pm) business/golf attire is appropriate. Lunch is included in registration fee.

Registration is limited to the first 50 students so sign up early!

This workshop will cover two subject areas: protecting trees during construction; and guidelines for diagnosing tree and shrub problems.
Protecting Trees During Construction
Trees are valuable resources that require our efforts to preserve their lives in construction areas. We will look at critical areas that must be protected it the tree is to survive. This includes site planning strategies, designing appropriate tree protection, and alternative methods of construction that can be used to help save trees.
Looking for Trouble
How can you tell what is causing decline or injury to your landscape plants? This workshop focuses on what to look for to determine whether insects, mites, and/or plants pathogens may be responsible or whether the causes are related to culture and environment. Learn about how to examine your plants and how to prepare samples for professional assistance with diagnosis.

22. Advances in Pond Management
GCSAA CEUs .35:MDA Credits - 2, Comm. Core or 5
8:30 - 12:00
Dr. Doug Pullman
Aquest Corp., Flint, MI

Lakes and ponds can be an asset to many properties, including corporate and college campuses, parks and golf courses. But excessive weed growth and algal blooms make them unsightly, unhealthy and a headache to property managers. This workshop explores many ways to control the weeds an algae, both chemically and non-chemically. Learn proper handling and timing techniques for chemicals, and which products are right for specific weeds. Learn how to apply chemicals efficiently, and what mechanical techniques are working for others. Join us and soon our pond will be an aesthetic asset again!

In this workshop participants will be exposed to the key identification characteristics of broadleaf weeds that commonly invade cool-season turf stands. Labeled plant specimens will be on-hand for examination and enlightenment. One of the keys to successful long-term weed management is to identify and correct the factor that is reducing the competitiveness of the turfgrass. Attendees will participate in an interactive discussion of traditional and novel chemical control options as well as new products, proper timing, and application methods.