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UMass Amherst Turf Research Center Raises Over $40,000 at Sell-Out Tournament at Hickory Ridge Country Club
November 22, 2004
Amherst, MA - "I am overwhelmed by the number of former students who came back for this event." With these words, Joe Troll brought to a close a great day of golfing, camaraderie, and fund raising at the Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst, MA. The event celebrated the contributions Professor Troll has made to the UMass Amherst turf program and the impact he's had on the lives of his students.
Much more than a golf tournament, the day brought together alumni who hadn't seen each other in many years. Alumni came from as far away as New Jersey and Maryland. Dave Sylvester (from Bayer Environmental Sciences) took a unique approach to making sure he got to see everybody. Dave sat out on the 8th hole passing out cigars, sharing jokes with friends, and running a raffle that raised over a thousand dollars. Perhaps the most impressive reunion was between Geoffrey Cornish and Sherwood Moore. Two former participants in the Winter School, Geoffrey and Sherwood last worked together on the opening of the Captain's Golf Course in Brewster, MA in 1985. The spirit of the day was definitively captured by Jim Conant, superintendent at the Pittsfield Country Club. "Best reunion I've ever attended," he said.
Over one hundred and fifty golfers and twenty-five sponsors raised over $40,000. That sum is being matched by $20,000 from state funds. Much of the credit for the event's success is due to Bob Ruszala, superintendent at Hickory Ridge Country Club. Bob chaired the tournament committee and did much of the leg-work that built participant enthusiasm and created a sell out. Credit is also due to Cathy and Doug Harper, the club's owners, who generously donated the course and Jim Bernier, of Golf Cart Services, Inc., who donated the carts.
Proceeds from the tournament will support a new building at the university's turfgrass research center in South Deerfield, which has been dedicated in honor of Professor Troll. The campaign is in its final stages, with more than $700,000 raised to date and construction expected to begin this November. "This building is one of the central steps in a concerted plan to revamp the turf program," noted Cleve Willis, Dean of the College of Natural Resources and the Environment. "We're also hiring new turfgrass specialists and renewing our focus on research. New England deserves the highest quality turf programs and we intend to make that a reality here at UMass Amherst."
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