This project, coordinated by Dr. Eric Lyons at the University of Guelph involves research on “Increasing Winter Hardiness of Golf Greens and Fairways by Fall Fertilization Regime and Manipulation of Plant Hormones”. Winter survival of golf greens and fairways continues to be a major concern of golf courses throughout Ontario and Canada. There is acceptance within the research community that an important aspect of survival is the ability of the grass to maintain dormancy during thaw and refreeze events in late winter. The research will explore different management practices and their effect on the dormancy of golf greens and fairways experiencing thaw and refreeze events. The result of the research will be management recommendations regarding fertilizing and plant nutrition plant growth regulators and hormone manipulation to increase the winter survival of the golf course greens and fairways. This research will be completed by September of 2017.

Canadian Turfgrass Research Foundation (CTRF) is a registered charity that raises funds for turfgrass research projects aimed at advancing education and scientific knowledge associated with the safe, recreational and functional use of turfgrass.