TEXAS TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION
As the year draws to a close, I am pleased to present several significant updates and developments within our association. This Fall has been marked by notable growth and strategic planning for our forthcoming programs. I am delighted to announce that our Annual Conference will be taking place soon.
We invite all members to join us on December 9th and 10th at the Embassy Suites in Denton for a comprehensive and engaging event. The conference agenda includes a variety of educational sessions, ample opportunities for networking, and the chance to connect with industry professionals and colleagues.
A central feature of this gathering is our Annual Meeting, which will occur on Wednesday, December 10th at 1 p.m. This meeting serves as an essential forum for our membership, providing the opportunity to meet the Board of Directors and recognize the recipients of the Field of the Year Award. Additionally, we have secured motivational keynote speakers who will address pertinent topics such as "The Other Side of the Paycheck Employer" and "Is Time Management Your Excuse?" These sessions are designed to tackle critical issues relevant to our profession, and your engagement is highly encouraged.
We are equally honored to welcome distinguished speakers who will share their expertise on matters integral to our industry. Their insights will offer valuable knowledge and inspiration to all participants.
I anticipate seeing everyone in Denton and am confident that together we will deliver another successful conference. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and support of the Texas Turfgrass Association.
Randall Anderson 2025 TTA President
6 Executive Director Message
Howdy Members!
As we near the end of 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible growth and achievements of our association this year. The Texas Turfgrass Association has thrived, and I am confident that we will continue to build on this momentum in the years to come. Our commitment to turf education, fellowship, and camaraderie has been unwavering. The need for education and community within our industry has never been more evident, and I believe that is what sets our association apart. I am excited to see the continued growth and increased attendance at our upcoming winter show. Over the past two years, we have witnessed a surge in interest and engagement within the Turf Industry, and it is truly inspiring.
As we continue to expand, finding the right location and size for our events has been a challenge. We have alternated between Corpus Christi, Denton, Frisco, and San Antonio. If you have any suggestions for cities or venues that you believe would be a great fit for our association, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Katie Flowers Executive Director
Strength of Science has Sod Growers Experiencing More Success
by Bryan Tolar, Principal, Tolar Capitol Partners, and Water Conservation Specialist
The notion of “stronger together” is often used to gather like-minded individuals, forming a coalition for exponential success opportunities. Validation is not hard to find. Examples include, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another," comes to us from the Bible. U.S. President Harry Truman stated, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit.” And the infamous Coach Vince Lombardi reminded his football teams that “The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have.” Strong words of encouragement, yet also a clear path to what is possible.
But what happens when those that are like-minded are also competitors? Such a scenario has played out in the turfgrass industry and the results are astonishing.
Businesses all compete for customers; capitalism calls for such engagement. However, there are times when advancing a product across all marketing approaches can help cement education of a beneficial result first. This is exactly how turfgrass farms have approached advancing the drought tolerance, durability, and ease of installation for TifTuf Bermudgrass.
Starting almost a decade ago, TifTuf attributes have been lauded by the turf farms NG Turf, Sod Star, and Super-Sod to consumers, developers, building contractors, landscape architects and water conservation leaders in the Carolinas and Georgia. Working together, they marketed the TifTuf benefits and science at trade shows. The objective was to engage various groups on the possibilities and performance of TifTuf – it was education, not sales, leading the way. Doing so kept the benefits of TifTuf the main focus and allowed the data from countless university turfgrass trials to be the focus. Education and experience on the product was key to establishing the true value of TifTuf in a variety of uses…and the sales could (and would) come later. Indeed, iron sharpens iron.
Growers in Texas have been watching from afar and are now poised to do the same in the Lone Star State. Most recently, four farm operations serving the Texas market gathered in San Antonio to showcase TifTuf and greet hundreds of landscape industry interests during the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association Expo. All Seasons Turf Grass, King Ranch Turfgrass, Prime Sod, and Super-Sod joined forces to make sure TifTuf was front and center – and the attendee response was exceptional.
(photo: (l-r) Business leaders from King Ranch Turfgrass, Prime Sod, All Seasons Turf Grass, and Super-Sod during the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association trade show in San Antonio, TX)
Conversations covered jobsite experiences on landscapes, golf courses and sports fields where TifTuf performance exceeded expectations. Landscape architects also praised the use of TifTuf on projects they designed, both for reduced water use and durability. It was about collective engagement and information.
In addition, Dr. Agustin Boeri, Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Texas A&M, shared a presentation on drought tolerant turfgrasses during a scheduled education session at the conference. His presentation further validated the water savings of TifTuf when compared to other bermudagrasses.
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This is an important characteristic for high population centers in Texas where water resources are often limited, such as Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Data shows TifTuf uses 38% less water than the most commonly used bermudagrass and these savings make a big difference when conserving water and reducing the costs.
A lot of work and research trials have generated more data on TifTuf than any other turfgrass. Plus, TifTuf is only grown under independent third-party certification, qualifying it as blue-tag certified turfgrass to be sure that it remains genetically pure. This ensures featured characteristics of reduced water use, wear tolerance under the stress of sports play, and early spring green-up that lasts late into autumn are protected through certification. It is also the only turfgrass in the U.S. to earn the Smart Drop Certified designation, further validating TifTuf is the champion of reducing landscape water use. These are confirmations consumers want…and it is what TifTuf delivers.
Growers are proud that TifTuf has distinguished itself as a beautiful, dominant grass with so many positive attributes. By joining together, they strengthen the message that this is a turfgrass worthy of its accolades, regardless of which farm it was grown.
Is TifTuf popular? You bet it is. In just a decade of commercial production, sales and installations exceed 2.5 billion ft2 . This calculates to more than 77.8 billion gallons of water saved…no other turfgrass can do that.
TifTuf production continues to expand each year as there are now 67 licensed growers across the country, most of which are in southern states. These growers are selected for excellence as over 17,500 acres of TifTuf are now in production. Additional information on TifTuf and where to find a grower can be accessed at www.TifTufBermuda.com.
U.S. President Harry Truman hit the nail on the head when he stated, “It is amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit.” TifTuf growers are not only standing with TifTuf, but they are also shouldering the load to proudly carry the banner…and it’s working.
This special event will take place just before the Texas Turfgrass Association Annual Conference and Show, making it a perfect opportunity to support your community while connecting with fellow turfgrass professionals.
Our collaboration with Project Evergreen and TXSFMA will be prominently featured at the 2026 National Sports Field management Association Conference.
Please take a moment to do the following;
Review Scope of Work
Sign up to be a Volunteer Review the list of items we need
If able, Sign up to Donate
Lastly- All Volunteers get entered into a Drawing 4 Tickets will be drawn for the SFMA National Show January 18-22, 2026 in Frisco, TX
• At the time of design, the Winter Conference program may be subject to change.
• At the time of design, the Winter Conference program may be subject to change.
