OTF conference in Sandusky goes swimmingly

When the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation annual conference and show met last week, superintendents and turf pros convened in Sandusky, Ohio’s Kalahari Resort — the world’s largest indoor water park. It’s a good thing the park is indoors, too, as there were snow flurries in the air.

The Environmental Stewardship award went to John Miller, CGCS, Great Lakes GCSAA representative. The son and grandson of superintendents, Miller spearheaded golf’s involvement in the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative for the region’s five GCSAA chapters. An Ohio State graduate, he frequently speaks out in Columbus about turf issues, representing superintendents to the legislators. In accepting the award, he encouraged others to join him. “No matter how small you are, you do have a voice,” he reminded attendees

The Professional Excellence Award went to Darian Daily, sports field manager for the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. He got razzed at the presentation by a Cleveland Browns sympathizer who said it was a good thing Daily was winning the award in December as no Bengal ever won anything in January.

Chuck Darrah was honored as the professional of the year. A past president of both OTF and the Ohio Lawn Care group, he brought liquid time-release fertilizer to the industry as part of his career with Chemlawn.

A lifetime membership in OTF was conferred upon John Street, Ohio State agronomist. Street retires next June. He was roundly roasted by a panel of friends and co-workers, teased about everything from his hair, said to resemble the gray Ohio State football helmet, to his teaching style. “John’s exam questions were the same every year for every class,” said Ohio State University’s Karl Danneberger, Ph.D. “The only thing that changed were the answers.”

The team from Knox County Career Center won the 2014 High School Turf Bowl competition. The collegiate title went to Ohio State ATI, Wooster.

The Conference moved to its new location after a run of many years in downtown Columbus. Free parking and less-expensive rooms were among the draws.

“This new location has a good energy. It’s a good crowd,” said OTF Executive Director Brian Laurent. Registrations were up slightly, he added. That’s a positive trend reversal as attendance had slipped over the years in Columbus. Addition of the nursery industry to the gathering helped.

Next year’s meeting again will be the second week of December but whether the conference (www.otfshow.org) will return to Sandusky or resume its long run in Columbus will not be determined until the Board meets later this month.

An aside to the IRS: Every attendee spent considerable time in sessions throughout the day and early evening, only joining the family around the pool well after business hours!

Photos: Golfdom Staff