Well as I file away my Property Managers Conference

folder and pass it on to the next chairman, I have

some time to reflect on the 15th annual Conference

held in Red Deer at the Capri Center.

The event started out on a high note with Dr. Joe Vargas

making the trip up to present a very interesting seminar

regarding turf science/diseases and the poa annua Bentgrass

struggles we all have. We then headed to Billy Bobs to

witness a Saskatchewan tragedy as the Riders outplayed the

Allouettes until the last few minutes and then won and lost

the game in a 10 second period.

In the main programs we made some changes this year as we

moved the Irrigation thread into a full day hands-on seminar.

Ian Morrow, Fred Sherman, Peter Laverne, Greg Buchanan

and Mike Gunn provided an excellent day of education and

the full day recipients received a certificate of completion.

The Mechanics seminars was changed to include a hands on

cart seminar put on by Club Car which I heard also went over

with great success.

The keynote address was given by Dr. Trey Rogers from

Michigan State. He keyed into the Olympic Experience he had

in Beijing with the culture, the people and his experiences

 with the 2010 Vancouver Olympics so close it was an

interesting topic. The conference as a whole went over very

well with the exception of the winter weather affecting

travel it went off without a hitch. This is mostly in part due to

our Executive Director Barb Alexander who is very organized

when it comes to these events. Barb really makes the

conference chairman of this event look goodâ?¦.thanks Barb!

I would also like to thank my committee again consisting

of Jay Leach, Cottonwood Golf and Country Club, Ken

MacKenzie, Canyon Meadows Golf and Country Club and

Ben Fulkerth, Olds Golf Club.

I wish the next committee great success as I already know

they have started planning, I look forward to seeing everyone

there again next year.

Jason Clouston

We would like to thank the many industry

affiliates who support the Conference. Please

make every effort to support these companies

when making purchasing decisions:

Advanced Water Solutions

Alberta Tree Movers & Nurseries

ArborCare Tree Service Ltd.

Bluegrass Irrigation

Consulting

Bluegrass Ltd.

Bos Sod Farms

Boundary Electric Motor & Pump Sales

Brandt Tractor Ltd.

Brett Young

Clark's Supply & Service Ltd.

Club Car Inc.

E&M Woodland

Greenhouse Farm

Eagle Lake Nurseries

Eagle Lake Turf Farms

Echo Valley Irrigation

Evergro Canada

James Electric Motor Services Ltd.

Jobe Sand & Gravel

Keso Turf Supplies

Martin Equipment Ltd.

Mill Creek Sand & Gravel Ltd.

New-Tech Turf Products

Oakcreek Golf & Turf Inc.

Pickseed

Puddicombe Golf

Pumptronics Inc.

Sil Industrial Minerals

Specialty Turf Care

Target Products Ltd.

T.E.R.F. Co. Ltd.

Turf Canada

Voodoo Ventures