Editor's note: This letter, shared with TurfNet, is from SUNY-Delhi professor emeritus Dominic Morales to the New York State Turfgrass Association board of directors.
Dear NYSTA Board, Alumni and Industry Partners
This letter is most likely my final official correspondence with the NYSTA board members, alumni and industry partners. It has been 50 years (1975) of collaboration with SUNY-Delhi, the association and the industry. It's been a most gratifying journey, and I'm blessed with the support and collegiality the association has honored me with over the years. In the beginning it was both difficult and challenging to navigate, building a viable academic program that was compatible and satisfied the needs of an expanding Turf industry. I realized that reaching out to the industry, especially NYSTA, was a necessity. Honestly, it did not come naturally, I had to work at it. Developing contacts, cultivating lasting trusting relationships and at the same time mentoring students, developing a viable academic program with a valuable internship component, plus finding the budget dollars needed for success.
The '90s were when SUNY-Delhi's Turf management programs entered a new level of success thanks to a new college president who saw the potential for growth. Mary Ellan Duncan was instrumental in taking the lead and enabled me to venture beyond my comfort zone. Her first mandate was to assist me and give me the chance to expand our lab facilities. We began meeting with industry leaders such as the NYSTA board, S.V. Moffett Co. (now MTE), Grassland Equipment Co. and NYSGCSAA chapters. We presented our vision and plan of action. I was on the road presenting at all industry meetings. It snowballed and our support expanded exponentially. This experience gave me confidence and most of all a sense of personal gratification.
The results of the industry/academic partnership:
- 1991-1993: Construction of a state of art turf education instructional lab facility. Over $150,000 in donations was secured monetary and in-kind donations from various turf-related manufactures and suppliers, NYSTA and all the NYSGCSAA chapters.
- 1993-1995: Expanding The college golf course from 9 holes to 18 holes. $550,000 raised, both monetary and in-kind donations from various turf related manufacturers and suppliers, NYSTA, and all the NYSGCSAA chapters. Construction costs, new irrigation system, sand-based greens and bent grass fairways, seeded with the latest varieties. This project gave students including myself the opportunity to learn golf course construction, budgeting, and construction scheduling.
- 1998-2000: Developed a bachelor's degree program in golf course management. The curriculum was based on industry needs that required management skills. Industry representatives from all aspects of the profession met at SUNY-Delhi for three days to develop the core skills required for managing golf courses. The bachelor's program was approved by SED and SUNY Central in 2001.
NYSTA has continued to support various projects at Delhi through foundation dollars. Our partnership has contributed to the overall success of the program.
Serving as an official board member (2012-25) was my way of paying forward for all the years of NYSTA's support. During those 12 years we developed a strategic plan, developed the ambassador program developing career awareness at the K-12 education level, initiated a career outreach program, partnered with FFA and developed the successful apprenticeship program. Your support and faith in these initiatives illustrates a commitment to the future success and viability of our industry. It gives me great satisfaction to be part of our collaborative efforts.
In closing, you, my colleagues and friends, have afforded me the opportunity to grow and achieve things that were way beyond my expectation.
Thank you for making my 50-year ride exhilarating and rewarding. Please consider becoming a NYSTA member
All the best.
Dom Morales
Professor emeritus, SUNY-Delhi
NYSTA board member