Research & Scholarship Committee

About the Research and Scholarship Committee

After several years of struggling to operate administratively, the Colorado Turfgrass Foundation (CTF) Board of Directors voted to dissolve the Foundation as of December 31, 2012. The purpose of the Foundation, formerly the Rocky Mountain Turfgrass Research Foundation, was to solicit, receive, administer and disburse gifts, legacies, devises, and conveyances of real and personal property for the advancement of turfgrass management and turfgrass managers within the State of Colorado.

Formed in 1984, the Foundation has given over $460,000.00 in turfgrass related research grants and $160,700 in scholarships to students in university environmental horticulture, landscape and other turfgrass management programs. Since the Foundation received its grant research monies from proceeds from the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association’s (RMRTA) Annual Conference and Trade Show, the RMRTA will oversee the Jackie Butler Memorial Student Scholarship fund. The Butler scholarship honors Dr. Jack D. Butler, the first turfgrass professor and specialist at Colorado State University known for his commitment to professionalism and his pursuit of excellence in the turf industry. He was admired as a scholar, teacher, advisor, colleague and friend to many. His turfgrass research is recognized both nationally and internationally.

A Research and Scholarship committee has been formed in RMRTA to take over the former CTF function of reviewing university research proposals and awarding scholarships. The committee is made up of former CTF board members and RMRTA board members with Kevin Sjursen, former CTF treasurer, of the Homestead Golf Course serving as chair.

Sjursen said, “Although the Colorado Turfgrass Foundation will no longer exist, its purpose and good work will continue through the Rocky Mountain Regional Turfgrass Association’s research and scholarship committee”.