Environmental Turfgrass Specialist Ronald Calhoun from Michigan State University Turfgrass Science Department, explains characteristics of spring Microdochium patch that can still be active in cool, wet weather. This activity can continue through May.
An End To Divots?
Imagine such a thing. Just for one second. A divot deficit. A pristine, uniformed turf without the evidence left behind by blurry-eyed hackers. It's every golfer and superintendents dream, especially during winter months when turf is slower to recover or right before a tournament when visual expectations are highest.
I recently met Damian Kilby who believes he's come up with a product that can help this dream become a reality. He's been gracious enough to allow Turfhugger readers an exclusive first look at the DivotEND.
I recently met Damian Kilby who believes he's come up with a product that can help this dream become a reality. He's been gracious enough to allow Turfhugger readers an exclusive first look at the DivotEND.
Turfhugger: Where did the original idea come from?
Damian Kilby: Our inspiration came from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the Home of Golf. Several years ago their management came to the conclusion that the continuous expense to the club and to the environment caused by tens of thousands of divots simply could not be ethically sustained. St Andrews then chose to mandate the use of a synthetic mat for strokes played off all fairways during colder months.
Damian Kilby: Our inspiration came from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, the Home of Golf. Several years ago their management came to the conclusion that the continuous expense to the club and to the environment caused by tens of thousands of divots simply could not be ethically sustained. St Andrews then chose to mandate the use of a synthetic mat for strokes played off all fairways during colder months.
Compare Products to Lower the Environmental Impact of your IPM program
In this guest post by Luke Paddle, see a brief profile at bottom of page, we see how Field Use EIQ of commonly used active ingredients clearly identifies the more benign products. Luke argues that this should be included in to our IPM decision making.
Are we really making informed decisions?
As managers, it is our job to make decisions. To do our job well we need to make informed and defensible decisions. We rely on pesticides as a key tool in our IPM programs, but how informed and defensible are the decisions we make about which products we choose to use? Efficacy and cost have historically been our most significant considerations, but if the general public is most concerned with environmental impact even when products are used properly, then shouldn't we give greater consideration to it in our decision making?
Are we really making informed decisions?
As managers, it is our job to make decisions. To do our job well we need to make informed and defensible decisions. We rely on pesticides as a key tool in our IPM programs, but how informed and defensible are the decisions we make about which products we choose to use? Efficacy and cost have historically been our most significant considerations, but if the general public is most concerned with environmental impact even when products are used properly, then shouldn't we give greater consideration to it in our decision making?
Ontario Cosmetic Pesticide Ban: Golf Exemption Explained
A little over a year ago I wrote an article for Flagstick Golf Magazine, It was an extremely brief summary of what golf courses are expected to comply with to gain an exemption from a province wide ban on cosmetic pesticides. It had received a lot of attention at the time, but I've never posted it here on Turfhugger. I'm doing so now because I figured it'll help Turfhugger readers understand just one possibility of how a pesticide ban might look in your neck of the woods. It'll also serve to frame the reality of pesticide use in Ontario, which is where tomorrows guest author is from. Enjoy.
The Province of Ontario initiated a cosmetic pesticide ban (Ontario Regulation 63/09) meant to eliminate unnecessary use and potential threats to the environment. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method of preventing pests and applying the appropriate control measures helps superintendents reduce pest pressures and active ingredients in chemical controls.
The Province of Ontario initiated a cosmetic pesticide ban (Ontario Regulation 63/09) meant to eliminate unnecessary use and potential threats to the environment. The Integrated Pest Management (IPM) method of preventing pests and applying the appropriate control measures helps superintendents reduce pest pressures and active ingredients in chemical controls.
There are two parts to the ban that any golf course must abide by in order to continue to use products under the ban. These include the parameters of the IPM Accreditation exemption tool for golf courses, and additional provincial requirements of the ban.
Earth Day, My Busiest Day Of The Year!
I was originally intending on writing a huge post for Earth Day, but luckily I'm so busy with business that I just haven't found the time. So instead, I've copied a Press Release from the GCSAA which sums up some of what I was likely going to say anyways. I will say that I'm extremely proud and grateful to be in this line of work, I see true value in it and I'm loving what the future has in store for golf!
Happy Earth Day,Scott J Morrison.
Everyday is Earth Day for golf course superintendents
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) celebrates Earth Day April 22 by highlighting the various golf course management activities its members are doing to foster environmental stewardship and sustainability.According to the GCSAA Golf Course Environmental Profile, the average 18-hole golf course covers 150 acres, approximately 100 (67 percent) of which is maintained turfgrass. Approximately 11 acres of water are common, and there are an additional 24 acres of non-turfgrass landscapes such as forests, grasslands, buffer strips and riparian areas. Non-turfgrass landscapes have increased in approximately 44 percent of 18-hole golf facilities since 1996, by an average of 9.8 acres.
Nicklaus Bust's a Cap... on Contaminated Land
Here's a short Video discussing the benefits of capping degraded brown fields with clay to help revitalize community's recreation potential.
Old Works/East Anaconda Development Area, was used as the primary smelting and processing area from 1880 to 1902. The area contained over a million and a half cubic yards of soil, slag, and flue dust and was contaminated with a range of pollutants. EPA worked closely with ARCO (the owner of the property) and the community to develop a cleanup plan that not only protected people and the environment, but also preserved its historical significance and allowed for redevelopment. What this partnership unveiled in 1994 was a plan that included cleaning up the contamination and building a top-notch golf course over a portion of the area. They covered the contaminants with 18 to 20 inches of soil, revegetated the area, and installed a state-of-the-art drainage system.
Montana's first Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course has proven to be a tourist magnet, attracting out-of-towners to the area who enjoy golfing, skiing, fishing, and hunting. This has had an immediate and positive impact on property values around the site. Numerous developers have expressed interest in purchasing land near the course, and more than 50 existing businesses have made improvements to their properties. Ultimately, renewed interest in the area will serve to help Anaconda transform itself into a popular recreational vacation spot. The barren and battered landscape is slowly being restored to its former beauty. Trout once again fill Warm Springs Creek, and the plant and animal life are flourishing.
Old Works/East Anaconda Development Area, was used as the primary smelting and processing area from 1880 to 1902. The area contained over a million and a half cubic yards of soil, slag, and flue dust and was contaminated with a range of pollutants. EPA worked closely with ARCO (the owner of the property) and the community to develop a cleanup plan that not only protected people and the environment, but also preserved its historical significance and allowed for redevelopment. What this partnership unveiled in 1994 was a plan that included cleaning up the contamination and building a top-notch golf course over a portion of the area. They covered the contaminants with 18 to 20 inches of soil, revegetated the area, and installed a state-of-the-art drainage system.
Montana's first Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course has proven to be a tourist magnet, attracting out-of-towners to the area who enjoy golfing, skiing, fishing, and hunting. This has had an immediate and positive impact on property values around the site. Numerous developers have expressed interest in purchasing land near the course, and more than 50 existing businesses have made improvements to their properties. Ultimately, renewed interest in the area will serve to help Anaconda transform itself into a popular recreational vacation spot. The barren and battered landscape is slowly being restored to its former beauty. Trout once again fill Warm Springs Creek, and the plant and animal life are flourishing.
Calibrating a Spray Rig
Calibration is very important when it comes to applying chemical to your golf course. Using the new chemicals with very low use rates makes each droplet that comes out of your nozzle count that much more. Only a small percentage of solution is active ingredient. I make sure that we check our calibration each time we spray. I will explain how we keep our spray rig accurate for every spray.TWIGG - April 11-18
Club Car - MAYBE THE MOST significant contribution to sustainability has been in the area of waste. By encouraging our suppliers to ship more of their parts in returnable containers, we've reduced waste -- mainly cardboard, Styrofoam and bubble wrap -- leaving the plant by 28 percent per vehicle produced. At the same time, we've increased our own waste recycling by 39 percent.
Speaking on The Environmental Benefits of Golf Courses
It is always a pleasure for me to speak to groups or classes about the environmental benefits that can be achieved on golf courses. Last Wednesday I had the privilege of speaking to the Hamilton Place Rotary Club. Mr. Robin Boyer, the PGA golf professional at The Bear Trace invited me to speak to this group of community professionals. The title of the talk was "The Environmental Benefits of Golf Courses" in which I tried to convey the changes that we have implemented at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay to lessen out impact on the environment and improve the habitat for the wildlife on the golf course.
Newton The Newton Country Club was selected amongst multiple entries as a finalist to receive the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA) Arthur P. Weber EnvironmentalLeaders in Golf Award.
The Roles of Turfgrass
This is a fantastic video courtesy of Turfgrass Science team at Ohio State University looking at the role of turfgrass in our urban environments. The video gives a brief yet very informative overview of turfgrasses role in Carbon Sequestration, Erosion Control, Dust Control, Benefits to Wildlife, Urban Heat Island mitigation, Recreation and Economy.
With Earth Day coming up in a week this is an excellent video to repost on your own blog or send to others in the industry, here's the direct YouTube link.
Netherlands: "An Obligation to Build New Nature"
An interesting video looking briefly at Netherlands golf market and how Dutch golf development is taking on the role of increasing nature and supporting local farmers, workforce and industries.
Report by: Tania Nataya and Kwame Amoh, Featuring Jart Sluiter of Dutch Golf
Report by: Tania Nataya and Kwame Amoh, Featuring Jart Sluiter of Dutch Golf
Solar: Fastest Growing Industry in USA
Did you know that Solar PV (Photovoltaic) is the fastest growing industry in America? I recently learned this from Joe Boyce, a very active entrepreneur in the American solar industry (www.solarvisionaries.org, www.gaiaworldwide.com). Joe's knowledge stems outside of just the US however, and he understands what segments have the capability and capacity to grow, golf being one of them! Although Joe's article is very industry focussed, it offers a great deal of perspective on this opportunity that golf courses are taking a renewed interest in. The following article originally appeared on RenewableEnergyWorld.com, and with Joe's permission I've reposted it here to help Turfhugger readers understand the changes in the energy industry.
Video: RainBird Rotors Side Impact Testing
This is not a product promotion or part of the Product Sustainability Index, just an interesting video from RainBird. I like the design feature emphasized here because it could in theory produce less waste, save time and labor in changing damaged rotors (durability/longevity/permanence contribute to a products "sustainability"). I can't help but to wonder if the fittings and pipe are flexible enough underground to withstand the impact and movement of such impact. The video does not describe if rotation/performance is effected by such damage, but I guess if your sprinkler is in pieces it won't be very accurate either! - From RainBird:
How much force can your rotor withstand? See how we put Rain Bird rotors (as well as those of our competitors) to the test to demonstrate resistance to side impact - a critical performance metric for rotors in commercial irrigation applications.
Product Sustainability Index: EnviroLok
Product Name: EnviroLok - Vegetated Retaining Walls
Manufacturer: Agrecol
Contact: Jay D. Morgan
Manufacturing
Manufactured in what Country: Canada
Raw Materials: 100% recycled and recyclable polypropylene
Efforts to reduce material waste during the manufacturing process:100% of virgin product used in assembly. No waste by-product
Efforts to reduce Carbon Emissions, Waste Water, etc: When compared to manufacture of concrete, Envirolok represents a 97% reduction in GHGE
Use
How is this product superior: Provides a permanent vegetated structural alternative to hardscape systems like gabion baskets, concrete, or stone
How does this product reduce inputs: Less GHG emissions during production, sequesters carbon and encourages establishment of vegetation
Does this product help reduce energy: Reduces Heat Island Effect, which lessens power requirements and load on mechanical cooling systems
Lifecycle
Features meant to improve longevity of product: Permanent erosion control, engineered to 120 years
Waste generated during installation or use of product: No waste
Product Sustainability Index
Turfhugger contributors have spent a lot of time defining the word "sustainable". Honestly, sometimes I feel like boycotting the word because of it's blatant miss-use and miss-representation. Instead, I've decided to attempt to further define "sustainable" in terms of product sustainability. The protocol is basic but guided by criteria listed in many of the fortune 500's sustainability indexes including Apple, WalMart and Disney.
I look at this index as an opportunity:
- Most importantly it's an opportunity for superintendents, land managers and consultants to learn of products that don't just rely on marketing and catchy words but the ingenuity and insight required to create a product that is designed for efficiency, effectiveness and longevity.
- For manufacturers to highlight some of the environmental benefits and considerations of the product during manufacturing, it's lifetime and what happens to it after intended use.
- For Turfhugger to establish a new standard for products we showcase.
- Well... lets face it, we need this in the golf industry and National Golf Day is fitting.
Want To See A Golf Superintendents Jaw Drop?
From GolfTV:
To celebrate being named 2010 PGA rookie of the year, PUMA decided to helped Rickie Fowler finally combine his two passions in life: golf and motocross. The result? An awesome day on the course, some amazing shots and one exhausted caddy. Special thanks to Eagle Creek Golf Course in Naples for letting Rickie hit the course. He shot a 70 by the way.
To celebrate being named 2010 PGA rookie of the year, PUMA decided to helped Rickie Fowler finally combine his two passions in life: golf and motocross. The result? An awesome day on the course, some amazing shots and one exhausted caddy. Special thanks to Eagle Creek Golf Course in Naples for letting Rickie hit the course. He shot a 70 by the way.
Chambers Bay - A Browner Golf Green
From TIME Video:
"With no golf carts or thick carpets of water-thirsty grass, Chambers Bay Golf Course, a former mining quarry, is a leader of the sustainable golf movement."
System Check Vol. 3
We have touched on the basics of irrigation management from the central control. Now lets take a trip to the pump station. When is the last time you have had the pump station serviced? How do you know that the set pressure of the pump station is the right pressure to keep all your heads running at the proper pressure in the field? Have you cleaned the filtration system lately? Have you had the Cla-Valve cleaned and re-set this season?
Golf Development: Balancing Good Design and Client Demands
Here's an interesting little video about sustainability and golf development featuring interviews with John Goldwyn (Associate Vice President, WATG), Paul Stringer (Executive Vice President, Nicklaus Design), and Ray Wilson (Managing Director, Sourthern Golf).
Westmoor CC, in tune with Mother Nature
I wanted to focus a story on this picture from Westmoor CC near Milwaukee, WI. Course superintendent Jerry Kershasky obviously has his course dialed in tune with its natural surroundings.
This shot was taken just over a year after the major restorations completed by TDI Golf and overseen by golf architecture firm Lohmann Golf Design. As you can see some native grasses have already appeared in the pond which appear to attract the waterfowl. As this restoration keeps maturing, all new construction details slightly obvious after construction will blend in and really soon, if not already, Westmoor CC will look more and more like the original Tom Bendelow layout from the old days.
This par 3 hole was one of the four rebuilds that were done to match the rest of the courses original pushup soil greens. Jerry had been topdressing over his 30 year tenure with a material that matched up with a 70:20:10 greensmix to the point that 4-5" of all the old greens had this great material near the surface. Jerry suggested to me that we use the 70:20:10 as backfill for all the XGD greens as well as using it for the greensmix for the new greens. This material is percing around 7"/hour and is slightly above our XGD specs for this operation, as we normally use a heavier material so the subsurface greens drainage laterals are not visible.
So, initially I was reluctant to approve it on the greens drainage backfill, but thought it would make a great greensmix. As I mulled it over some more I thought about the gas and regrass to a new bentgrass variety and recalled how rarely our XGD drainage laterals show up in mostly pure bentgrass stands anyway and approved the mix for both the new greens and the XGD backfill. The new greens were built with a 12" cavity for the subgrade. Once subgrade was approved we installed our system 4-8" deep in the subgrade and backfilled with the 70:20:10 mix, and the next step was to push the 12" of matching greensmix over the entire greens cavity and presto we have an XGD Modified Green matching similarily with the rest of Jerry's pushups in terms of agronomic management and playability.
The turf management staff in phlace at Westmoor is second to none and congratulations to them on a successful grow-in and the resulting two years thereafter are exhibiting some of the finest playing conditions in the Milwaukee area.
Regards, Poor Old Dirt & Grass Farmer
This shot was taken just over a year after the major restorations completed by TDI Golf and overseen by golf architecture firm Lohmann Golf Design. As you can see some native grasses have already appeared in the pond which appear to attract the waterfowl. As this restoration keeps maturing, all new construction details slightly obvious after construction will blend in and really soon, if not already, Westmoor CC will look more and more like the original Tom Bendelow layout from the old days.
This par 3 hole was one of the four rebuilds that were done to match the rest of the courses original pushup soil greens. Jerry had been topdressing over his 30 year tenure with a material that matched up with a 70:20:10 greensmix to the point that 4-5" of all the old greens had this great material near the surface. Jerry suggested to me that we use the 70:20:10 as backfill for all the XGD greens as well as using it for the greensmix for the new greens. This material is percing around 7"/hour and is slightly above our XGD specs for this operation, as we normally use a heavier material so the subsurface greens drainage laterals are not visible.
So, initially I was reluctant to approve it on the greens drainage backfill, but thought it would make a great greensmix. As I mulled it over some more I thought about the gas and regrass to a new bentgrass variety and recalled how rarely our XGD drainage laterals show up in mostly pure bentgrass stands anyway and approved the mix for both the new greens and the XGD backfill. The new greens were built with a 12" cavity for the subgrade. Once subgrade was approved we installed our system 4-8" deep in the subgrade and backfilled with the 70:20:10 mix, and the next step was to push the 12" of matching greensmix over the entire greens cavity and presto we have an XGD Modified Green matching similarily with the rest of Jerry's pushups in terms of agronomic management and playability.
The turf management staff in phlace at Westmoor is second to none and congratulations to them on a successful grow-in and the resulting two years thereafter are exhibiting some of the finest playing conditions in the Milwaukee area.
Regards, Poor Old Dirt & Grass Farmer
Design and Create an IPM Plan for Turf
The University of Arizona Annual Spring Turfgrass Seminar - Design and Create an IPM Plan for Turf" will help identify key turf pests and weeds, set goals for an integrated pest management plan, and then ultimately give each participant a start to create a personalized IPM plan for their turf. Originally designed by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, an IPM plan should be the foundation for baseball and football fields, recreational turf, and landscapes.
This is traditionally an excellent program.
Andrew Greess
Golf Course Sprayer Expert
This is traditionally an excellent program.
Andrew Greess
Golf Course Sprayer Expert
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