I received the below unsolicited e-mail this afternoon, and am passing it along to the group. I have no affiliation with this organization and will not be attending. However, this may be an opportunity for those of you who have not visited Merion to see the grand place for yourself. Charity and/or fund-raising opportunities do exist for golfers who would not otherwise be able to play some of the nation's great clubs--this is but one example...
Again, I have no ties to this group--please contact them directly for more information...
Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council
Business Office
526 Brittany Drive
State College, PA 16803
Phone: 814-238-2401 * Fax: 814-238-7051
Email: busofc@paturf.org
Website:
www.paturf.org June 30, 2006
Tournament to Benefit Turfgrass Program at Penn State
This year PTC’s traditional Joseph Valentine Memorial Golf Tournament has been revamped and is being opened to teams of amateur golfers representing clubs, businesses, groups, or individuals.
Now avid golfers outside the PTC membership can make their dream of playing a world-class course a reality when the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. hosts this exclusive benefit tournament on Monday, October 9. The tournament on Merion Golf Club’s East Course is a joint venture between the Club, the Pennsylvania Golf Association, and the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research, Inc.
This benefit event is designed to offer a premier golfing experience, while raising funds to support the Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State, as a new element of the Growing the Game campaign. In honoring Merion Golf Club’s Joseph Valentine, it also highlights the advancements made in turfgrass management over the years and supports these efforts into the future.
A limited number of foursomes are available. If you know someone for whom golf is more than just a game -- someone who would appreciate top-notch play at a renowned golf course -- share this information immediately. Teams are also welcomed representing courses or companies that value exceptional golf. The tournament entry form and details are available at
www.paturf.org or by contacting tournament officials at info@paturf.org or 717-580-1946. Foursomes will compete in a one best-ball gross and net format beginning at Noon on Monday, October 9.
Joseph Valentine was golf course superintendent at Merion Golf Club from the early 1900’s until his death in 1962 and in 1929 was an integral force in the establishment of the world- famous turfgrass program at Penn State. The Joseph Valentine Research Center at the University, which celebrates his memory, has 14 acres of highly maintained turf, including 2.5 acres of research putting green. Research conducted at Valentine Center includes pesticide, fertilizer, turfgrass cultivar, and soil amendment evaluations.
Today, the Joseph Valentine Research Center, at the north end of the Penn State campus, stands as a living memorial to a man whose hard work and communication skills established the foundation for the turfgrass program at Penn State. This tournament continues support of his ideals and golf courses continue to be the biggest beneficiaries of the turfgrass research accomplished at Penn State.
As the standards and the demands for golf turf have increased, Penn State is being called upon to provide more and better solutions. Officials of the Golf Association, which serves the game of golf in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, remind golfers, “Whether it’s tournament golf or a late afternoon round, one thing remains consistent; the game of golf is played on grass.” This tournament will help to insure that the vision of Joseph Valentine and the benefits to golfers continue.
The Pennsylvania Golf Association has been supporting championship golf in Pennsylvania for 97 years. The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Research, Inc. is affiliated with the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council and is dedicated to providing financial support for the Center for Turfgrass Science at Penn State. For more information and the entry form go to
www.paturf.org.
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