BLOOMINGTON, MN — The Toro Company, Beacon Athletics and Diamond Pro are joining forces to present three Athletic Field Maintenance Forums this spring.

The comprehensive sessions combine hands-on and classroom instruction with proven techniques and skills to enhance field maintenance knowledge. The forums will cover:

— Game Day Preparation

— Aerification/Mowing

— Irrigation

— Infield Soils/Topdressing

— Mound and Home Plate Management

— Managing Infields

 “This is the second year we have presented the Athletic Field Maintenance Forums, and they have been very well received,” said Dale Getz, CSFM, CSE, and sports fields and grounds sales manager at The Toro Company. “After spending the day at one of these seminars, the attendee will know how to avoid costly mistakes and achieve the results they desire.”

The forums will include ideas, techniques and solutions from turf maintenance experts. Featured speakers include:

Boyd Montgomery, CSFM, CSE, commercial district sales manager for The Toro Company, and former facilities and maintenance director at Sylvania Recreation Corporation. Montgomery has published numerous articles on sports turf management and operations.

Paul Zwaska from Beacon Athletics, and former head groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles. Zwaska has 28 years of grounds experience.

Tom Burns from Diamond Pro, and former head groundskeeper for the Texas Rangers. Burns is widely known and respected as one of the top groundskeepers in major league baseball.

Dale Getz, CSFM, CSE, sports fields and grounds sales manager at The Toro Company, and former superintendent of golf at the University of Notre Dame. Getz was employed at the University of Notre Dame for 17 years and has published numerous articles on The Athletic Turf Maintenance Forums are scheduled for March 19 in Dallas, April 16 in Chicago and May 14 in Boston. To register, visit the Beacon Athletics web site, http://beaconathletics.com/seminars-AFM2008-registration.php.