On Oct. 4, the Wisconsin Sports Turf Managers Association (WSTMA) held its fall educational seminar at the O.J. Noer Turfgrass Research and Education Facility. The day started out on the chilly side, but the weather ended up being sunny and warm – a perfect day for a visit.

Over 60 attendees participated in the event, which began with a continental breakfast followed by three morning presentations: 

• Irrigation system design and maintenance  
• Diseases of sports turf and their management 
• Walking tour of WSTMA-sponsored projects

On the walking tour, attendees saw the early data from a wetting agent study as well as a field renovation study to control creeping bentgrass, which is one of the largest studies ever done at O.J. Noer. There was also a presentation of a 14-year-old study of turfgrass species with various management trials. 

After the morning presentations, the group adjourned for a pasta buffet lunch and then boarded buses for the short trip to Camp Randall Stadium to tour the field and see the new renovations there.  

WSTMA held this event to provide association members with a chance to see the research they are supporting at the O.J. Noer facility and to provide members with the opportunity to interact one-on-one with the UW Turf Team.