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

2023 Recap

The MTF was pleased to present its 92nd Annual Turfgrass Conference at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for the second consecutive year. Returning to the site proved to be the appropriate selection as attendance exceeded over 500 Turfgrass professionals and industry partners. In addition, seminars, classes, events, and gatherings surpassed all expectations making it the most successful event in recent history.

Day One

The Conference started with a half day of Golf, Lawns and Grounds and Equipment Technicians education sessions. In addition to the MSU Turf Team, day one featured speakers from the University of Nebraska, Purdue University, Oakland University as well as several other industry leaders.

Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Annual Meeting

MTF Executive Director Carey Mitchelson, President Curt Boak and Treasurer Brad Lazroff highlighted the MTF’s year in review including the recent election, a 2022 event update and the financial status of the organization.

Founders Society Reception

The day concluded with the Founders Society Reception, where the MTF presented its annual MSU Turf Program research fund to George Smith, the Director of AgBioResearch at MSU, in the amount of $90,000. Dr. Kelly Millenbah, Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU, then delivered an update on the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology. Past MTF President, Doug Johanningsmeier, introduced and presented the MTF Meritorious Award to Mr. Jim Bogart.

Day Two

A full day of education, Wednesday included Golf, Lawns and Grounds, Sports Fields, Assistant Superintendents, Equipment Technicians sessions as well as an Overview for Registered Apprenticeship - Golf Course Maintenance Technician sessions. In addition to the education presentations, many panel discussions and round table idea sessions highlighted the day.

Student Awards
Dr. Trey Rogers presented, on what he describes as his 'favorite day of the year", student scholarship awards for the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation, MSU Awards, Industry Awards and National Awards.  Visit our scholarships and awards pages to help us congratulate all those selected for these awards.

Vendor Halftime Show

This year’s halftime show was held for the first time in the Soaring Eagle Casino’s Entertainment Hall. The large venue was both well received and attended.  Attendees were provided with a perfect networking opportunity following the full day of education. Those at the conference had a chance to visit with some of the finest companies and the opportunity to bid on silent auction items benefitting the Graduate Assistantship program at MSU.

Student Support
Several participants also took their turn at the Trackman closest to the pin contest, a contest that helped raise $1,190.00 for the MSU Turf Club's respective National Conference expenses.  

Day Three

The Conference concluded with a half day of educational sessions of both Golf and Sports Fields, Lawns and Grounds. The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would like to thank the attendees, presenters and volunteers who all helped to make the 92nd annual Michigan Turfgrass Conference such a great success.

Thank You!  2023 Conference Sponsors: 

MTESP - Coffee
Syngenta - Coffee
Envu Enviornmental Science - Founders Society Reception
Eco Green Supply - Student Scholarship Banner
Advanced Turf Solutions - Vendor Halftime Show
BASF - Vendor Halftime Show
Helena Agri - Coffee Cups
Harrell's, LLC - Lanyard
Site One - Lunch / Vendor Halftime Show
MGCA - Meritorious Award Winner Dinner

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation exists to promote safe, healthy turf surfaces for all Michigan residents. The goal of our annual conference is to present the latest findings in turfgrass management, fertility, soils, diseases, weeds, pesticides and other timely topics pertaining to the industry.

2023 Michigan Turfgrass Conference
January 10th - 12th
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort
6800 Soaring Eagle Blvd
Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Hotel Room Block Code: MTGF011023
Hotel Room Block Ends December 19th
Cost is $139.00 per night plus taxes

*Free Parking is available

*Lunch provided on Wednesday

*Vendor Halftime Show (Appetizers Provided-Cash Bar) on Wednesday 4pm -6:30

Vendor Halftime Show Information
Wednesday, January 11th 4-6:30pm

• This year's Halftime Show will be held in the Soaring Eagle's Entertainment Hall!
  Booth size8' by 10'
  Loading (Garage) Door size: 10' X 10'
  Equipment is allowed inside, must be pushed in and have 1/4 tank of gas or less, the battery disconnected and plastic placed under the machine.
  All booths have electricity and 6' by 30" table included with 2 chairs
  Only one company per booth
  Booth fee is non-refundable but may be transferredto next years show
  After December 1st, 2022 there will be an increase of $50.00
  Aisles to transport equipment to the booth are 5' wide and 'There is room for larger equipment at the entrance area. Contact us for more information

Winter Turf Research Update - Dr. Kevin Frank, MSU

Golf Course Architecture and the Golf Course Superintendent - Andy Johnson, The Fried Egg

Annual Meeting Highlights: Treasurers Report, Presidents Report, Executive Directors Report MTF Funded Research - Craig Moore, Research Chairman Pete Cookingham retired after decades of service to the turf industry worldwide.  Dr. David Smitley has announced his retirement. Finance items of interest Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology, notable donations, membership, nominating scholarships, events MTF Board of Directors Election Results Curt Boak (Lawn Tech) - Representing Turfgrass Services Eric Davey (Prestwick Village Country Club) Representing - Greater Detroit District of MiGCSA Christian Koval (Lakelands Golf and Country Club) Representing - Mid-Michigan District of MiGCSA Paul Kuhna (Lansing Lugnuts) Representing Sport or Institutional Turf Events - 2021 Virtual Conference, Tee Times 4 Turf, LaFontaine Golf Outing, Field Day MTF Founders Society - Brad Lazroff - Chair Founders Society Founders Society purchases front load tractor for Hancock Turfgrass Research Center Tissue Homogenizer for Dr. Emily Merewitz-Holm Founders Society Reception The Founders Society is an endowment established by charter members with the goal of using funds donated to purchase specialized research and support equipment for the turf program at MSU.  At this year's reception, the announcement was made that the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would be pledging $1 million to launch a $5 million campaign to endow the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology.  Follow the link to read more about the MTF's commitment to funding the future of turfgrass research at Michigan State University:

The Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology

Meritorious Award Winner During the reception, the MTF was proud to present Dawn & Bruce Johnson / Kris Early and the Spartan Family with the Meritorious Award.  This award is presented annually by the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation to an individual or company for their dedication and support of the turfgrass industry.  Spartan Distributors were instrumental in the formation of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation in the 1950's and have remained strong supporters of the golf and sports field industry for their entire history.

Read More about The Spartan Family

The MTF Board presents $1 million check to endow the Joe Vargas Chair in Turfgrass Pathology.

The Spartan Family accepts MTF Meritorious Award at the 2022 Founders Reception

Day 2 Day two was a full day of education.  Four sessions were offered and included Golf, Equipment Technicians, Lawns and Grounds and Athletic Fields.

Full Speaker List

Keeping your Cutting Edge - Mike Rollins, SIP Grinders

Non-Chemical Water Conditioners - Dr. Bernd Leinauer

Scholarship Awards The 2021-2022 Turfgrass Science Scholarship Awards were held after the day's sessions had finished.  Dr. Trey Rogers hosted the awards and described the opportunity each year as "his favorite day of the year." Michigan Turfgrass Foundation Awards Norman W. Kramer Outstanding Student Award: Spencer Cole Kenyon T. Payne Outstanding Student Award: David Parker Robert Hancock Award: Payton Perkinson MTF Merit Scholars: Dennis Sullivan, Adam Nadeau, Ryan Wiggins Follow the link for the complete list of award winners including Michigan State University Awards, State Section Awards and National Awards.

2021-2022 Scholarship Winners

Board Member and MTF Scholarship Chair Dan Lucas with MTF Award Winners

Dr. Rogers with Samuel I. Russell Foundation Award Winners Anthony Kiser and Seth Jenkins

The 2021-2022 Scholarship Winners

Halftime Show

Day two wrapped up with the halftime show, where vendors from across the industry shared their products and knowledge with the conference attendees. This year's show was well attended and provided a terrific opportunity to network with fellow industry colleagues.  The show also included the Dr. Paul Rieke Graduate Assistantship Silent Auction, benefiting graduate assistantship for ongoing graduate student positions at MSU.

Vendor Halftime Show

Dr. Paul Rieke Graduate Assistantship Silent Auction

Day 3

The final day wrapped up with a half day of Golf Sessions and Lawns and Grounds presentations.  The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would like to thank everyone for attending the Conference and your continued support of turfgrass research at Michigan State University.  We hope you enjoyed the event, the new location and the chance to be back in person again.  The Planning committee is already gearing up for next years event and we look forward to your feedback and suggestions for the future. Thank you for attending the 2022 Michigan Turfgrass Conference!

Thank you to our 2022 Michigan Turfgrass Sponsors!