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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 23, 2004

Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council Announces 2005 Leadership

John A. Chassard, Director of Grounds at the Lehigh Country Club, Allentown, PA, will serve as president of the Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council (PTC) for 2005, beginning January 1. Previously vice-president, Chassard has served on the board since 1993, and has been a member of PTC since 1897.

Vice President will be Jeffrey L. Fry, Lebanon Country Club, Lebanon, PA; Secretary-Treasurer will be Terry Laurent, CGCS, Saucon Valley Country Club, Bethlehem, PA. Jerred D. Golden, Hersheys Mill Golf Club and Landscape Company, West Chester, PA, will serve as immediate past president. The officers serve one-year terms.

Chassard said he is looking forward to increasing awareness about the important research being done at Penn State through the Penn State Turfgrass Research Trust. “Our past president kicked off the “Growing the Game” program in 2004, and I look forward to helping bring it to a successful realization over the next two years. It is all about raising funds and encouraging the end user – the person who benefits most from research – to be part of the campaign.”

He added, “It is a whole new direction and an exciting time for PTC. I am happy to be a part of it.” A 1984 graduate of Penn State, Chassard added that he looks to the Penn State Center for Turfgrass Science for continuing education and technical education to keep abreast of new developments in the industry.

Four members will begin service on the board, with three-year terms to expire in 2007. They are: Darrin Batisky, Chartiers Country Club, Pittsburgh, PA; James Loke, Bent Creek Country Club, Lititz, PA; Scott Schukraft, Huntsville Golf Club, Shavertown, PA; and Matt Shaffer, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, PA. Richard Pagett, Centre Hills Country Club, State College, PA will begin his board service with a two-year appointment to end in 2006.

Continuing their service on the board, with the year their terms expire are: Thomas R. Bettle, Birdsfoot Golf Club, Leechburg, PA (2006); Daniel A. Douglas, Reading Phillies Baseball Club, Reading, PA (2006); and, Michael D. Fisher, Fisher & Son Company, Inc, Malvern, PA (2005).

Those who have completed service on the board include: Michael R. Smith, Gulph Mills Golf Club, King of Prussia, PA; Gregory C. Fantuzzi, Carlisle Country Club, Carlisle, PA; Kenneth A. Flisek, The Club at Nevillewood, Presto, PA; Jerry N. Rice, Lawrence Park Golf Club, Erie, PA; and, Randall P. Zidik, E.H. Griffith, Pittsburgh, PA.
The Pennsylvania Turfgrass Council promotes professionalism in all facets of the turfgrass industry by providing educational opportunities, grants and support for education and research projects, encouraging future industry leadership through scholarship and awards, and promoting interaction with government agencies, private institutions and the general public.

Members include golf course superintendents, owners/operators of lawn care services, nurserymen, landscapers, sod growers, sports field managers and industrial representatives.