This summer has been a nice reprieve from the last 4-5 summers and much closer to normal for the PNW.  I don’t remember the last time we had fusarium in July and I was able to shut the irrigation off periodically June through August.  It’s hard to believe it’s the middle of August already, with school starting, football season, and aerification right around the corner.  Hopefully everyone has had a successful season at their facility so far.

                On the Association side of things, the end of August brings the crew tournament on the 27^th at Arrowhead and Field Day on the 29^th in Corvallis.  The crew tournament is filling up and is sure to be an enjoyable day away from work for everyone.  Dr. Kowalewski and his team at OSU have a great lineup of trials and research projects for the Field Day.   Should be a good day of education/networking/golfing that I hope many of you can attend.  Speaking of OSU, with the turf program at Washington State dissolving, the program at OSU becomes the only one for the PNW and a large area west of the Rockies.  For the future of our profession, I think it’s important that we support Alec and the program at OSU.  The OTF’s monthly Treasure Chest, the Bandon Dunes Raffle, and the OTF Golf Tournament are a great way we can show our support.  The Golf Tournament is set for the 30^th of September at Eugene CC, with a Kick Off Party the day before on the 29^th at Hayworth Estates Wines.   Good food, good drinks, and even a corn hole tournament.  Sounds like fun to me.

The Board has worked hard to put together some great events this fall/winter.  The Fall Meeting is being held at Illahe Hills CC in Salem on Wednesday November 6^th.  We’re excited to have Dr. Micah Woods, OSU alum and founder of the Asian Turfgrass Center, as the featured speaker for this event.  The Pesticide Seminar will be held on December 4^th and 5^th at a new venue, the Crowne Plaza Portland, just 4-5 blocks north of the Convention Center.  The Boards’ decision to move away from the Convention Center was based on prices continually rising and the number of attendees declining.  The Pesticide Seminar Committee has worked hard in the last year and has a great mix of speakers on tap.  Be sure to mark your calendars for these two great educational opportunities. 

               I look forward to working with the great people we have on our Board over the coming months as we plan for 2020.  Our industry is full of amazing professionals and it’s truly an honor to serve this Association.  A perfect example is the annual Rounds for Research Auction.  This was a record breaking year for not only the GCSAA, but also our chapter as well.  We raised over $8,500 which helps us support our friends at OSU.

                Lastly, a quick thank you to all of our OGCSA sponsors, and a reminder to members to support these sponsors.  I’d also encourage everyone to stay involved with our Association and don’t hesitate to contact any of us on the Board with questions, comments, or concerns you may have.  Here’s to a couple more months of 70’s during the day and 50’s at night with an occasional shower.

Thanks,

Shane Hadwick, OGCSA President