Synthetic Turf International Endorses Continuing Education Vice President William Hatfield Obtains NPCAI and NPSI Certifications

March 20, 2007, Jupiter, Florida—Synthetic Turf International (“STI”) Vice President of Operations William Hatfield recently attended the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) in Kissimmee, Florida, where, through training and testing, he has been qualified as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.  Hatfield also attended and received certification from the National Playground Contractors Association International (NPCAI) Playground Construction School in Chicago, Illinois.

As a NPSI certified Inspector, Hatfield is qualified to perform playground audits to determine risk exposure and implement risk mitigation programs.  A program of the National Recreation and Park Association, the NPSI course provides an in-depth study of the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s Guidelines for Public Playground Safety and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard for Public Playground Equipment.  Additionally, the course covers surfacing for playground areas including fall zone requirements and playground safety hazards.    

Sponsored by the International Playground Equipment Manufacturers Association, THE NPCAI course encompasses a wide range of topics including jobsite safety, playground equipment layout, surfacing configurations and state licensing requirements.  In completing the course and fulfilling the testing requirements Hatfield received certification in playground installation.

Commenting on the courses Hatfield states, “The schools provided the information needed to properly assess playground safety and accessibility.  It also provided important information in the area of fall zone surfacing.  This information will prove invaluable in planning playground and educational facility projects STI undertakes.”

Hatfield joined STI in 2004 as a project manager.  He has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Dowling College and a MSM/MBA from Abertus Magnus College.  Hatfield has extensive experience as a project and logistics manager in the field of aeronautical engineering.  He most recent­ly worked as the Senior Support Equipment Engineer for Pratt & Whitney where he progressed through various positions of increased management responsibility for more than two decades. 

Founded in 1995, with international headquarters in Jupiter, Florida, STI is recognized as the leading supplier/installer of residential or backyard synthetic putting greens. STI projects range from condominiums and townhouses to single family homes and even large residential estates. The company supplies a host of golf-specific synthetic turf solutions to country clubs, golf clubs, teaching facilities and short game academies. STI is endorsed by David Leadbetter and Jim McLean, two of the industry’s most respected instructors.  STI provides synthetic surfaces for recreation and sports, including professional, amateur and youth football, soccer, lacrosse, baseball, lawn bowling, bocce and other sports.

STI distributor partners are situated throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the West Indies, Germany, France, Spain, England and South Africa.  STI welcomes distributor inquiries. For more information on Synthetic Turf International, contact Synthetic Turf International at 800-405-7455, www.synthetic-turf.com or Bobbie DuBose at 561-746-6077.