The Quest for a "Zero Waste" Golf Course

Seems impossible doesn't it? Well not for Josh Heptig of Dairy Creek Golf Club. His efforts were recently the focus of this short article, where they discussed how he shares his "waste" in the form of fertilizer with 2 other courses Morro Bay Golf Course and Atascadero’s Chalk Mountain GC.

I was so impressed by this ambitious goal and great example of sustainability, that I contacted Josh to learn more of his efforts...

Also, don't forget to check out Josh's blog, he regularly gives updates on his efforts.

Composting Technologies in Boca Raton

Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, a residential golf community, recently inaugurated its new Composting Project which turns food wastes from the kitchen, and the grass cuttings from their two 18 hole golf courses, into organic fertilizer in just five days! (plus 3-4 week cooling process)

To learn more about the ECW Institutional Composting System (only $250,000.00!) go here.

These efforts continue Broken Sound's series of green initiatives, and speakers at the ribbon cutting included Congressman Allen West and Mayor of Boca Raton Susan Whelchel.

Broken Sound also recently became only the second club in the United States to become GEO Certified by the international non profit group, Golf Environment Organization.

Video: La Costa Resort and Spa Renovation

From their YouTube Account:

"La Costa Resort and Spa embarks on an all-new golf experience, renovating the legendary golf course of the PGA Championship location with the designers, Pascuzzo and Pate. Environmentally sustainable and player-friendly, we are excited about the new course, debuting in fall 2011."

Used Ball Performance Comparison

Although this video is from 2009, it's still appropriate under our current economy - reselling used golf balls is big business and still growing it's market share. The overly dramatic CNBC report (enough with that sound effect!) interviews Gary Shienfield of Toronto based Knetgolf, explaining why used isn't so bad. Be sure to check out Knet's performance comparison of New vs Refinished vs Recycled Mint vs Recycled A and B grade golf balls.

The Turfgaurd Sensor - Toro

On the topic of integrated sensors, here is Toro's new integrated sensor that has wireless control!

The Philosophical Traveler: "Green Golf, Sustainable Golf"

I recently came upon a great article called "Green Golf, Sustainable Golf" from the perspective of an avid travel writer, golfer and nature lover. Bob Fisher writes a blog called "The Philosophical Traveller - Taking the long way home" where he records the "insights and subsequent enlightenment that you get when you look at life through a different lens".

I have never really accepted the implied criticism in the statement that so and so “can’t see the forest for the trees.” Something about that comment has always bothered me. But after a recent early morning golf game at Markham Green golf course, it dawned on me that it isn’t really a question of not seeing the forest for trees – being oblivious to the essential message because of a deluge of details – it is instead a question of being the kind of mindful person who sees the forest and the trees.

Consider Solar for Your Golf Club

We've covered some great examples of photovaltaic solar panels in the golf industry in the past, with more to come, but we haven't asked the question Is Solar Right For Me? We can find out by asking 2 more questions, Does my location get enough sun? And will my expected Return On Investment (ROI) make this all worthwhile? There are some great resources available on the net that will help get you started, and it should only take you 10 minutes to get your answer.

Dividing the world into five solar performance area based on
yearly averages of daily hours of sunlight and temperature

Rain Bird ISS: Integrated Sensor

With water use being the next major issue facing Golf Course Superintendent's, RainBird has joined Toro by introducing a soil sensor that has the ability to measure moisture, salinity and temperature.



I'm interested in any feedback from Turf manager's that haved used or are using the Toro or RainBird sensor. What are the pros/cons for either sensor?

BioCylce & FindAComposter.com

Since 1960, BioCycle has established themselves as North America’s foremost magazine/resource on composting and organics recycling. BioCycle demonstrates organic residual solutions - woody materials, turfgrass/yard trimmings, food residuals and biosolids into value-added products.

They've covered organic waste management on golf courses a number of times, see article list below, and have a fantastic spin-off site FindAComposter.com. If you cannot manage your material on site, or are capable of managing more material then you currently have access to, this site is a fantastic resource.

GREENING THE GOLF COURSE GREENS
BioCycle July 2006, Vol. 47, No. 7, p. 38
Reduced use of fungicides and herbicides, as well as water conservation, healthier soils and protection of sensitive ecosystems are key reasons why golf courses in North America are turning to compost...

USING BIOLOGICAL METHODS IN THE GOLF INDUSTRY
BioCycle June 2005, Vol. 46, No. 6, p. 28
Demonstration project addresses golf course superintendents and citizen concerns while linking compost applications to turf quality. Jon Nilsson...

COMPOST SCORES HIGH ON GOLF COURSE
BioCycle July 2004, Vol. 45, No. 7, p. 52
Country club in Illinois uses blend of yard trimmings and biosolids compost on its golf course finding positive results and improving turf ecology. Dan Dinelli THE GOLF COURSE at the...

GOLF COURSES FIND VALUE IN COMPOST TEA PROGRAMS
BioCycle October 2003, Vol. 44, No. 10, p. 22
San Francisco turf (and golfers) benefit from applications of compost tea that minimize need for toxic chemicals. Karin Grobe...

System Check Vol. 4

The fourth and final stage of checking out your irrigation system. 

Now that you have spent all the time going through the computer, weather station and pump station there is one large piece of the puzzle that can make all your work pay off or be worth nothing.  The equipment in the field.  Yes, the 2000 or so heads that you are hoping to run perfectly as when they were tested in a gymnasium with no wind and optimum pressure.

No matter the brand of head you have on the course, you could have a flawless computer program, a weather station that is used by NASA for it's accuracy and a pump station that can handle anything you throw at it and still fall short on your desired results.  Your water event planning can all be for nothing if the equipment in the field has been neglected or assumed that it is in good operating condition.

Hogs Gone Wild

If you don't have hogs, count your blessings! Hog damage is like no other wildlife damage to turfgrass.

In Hawaii, Dr. Andrew West of Hogs Gone Wild (this episode airs May 8th on Discovery Channel) answers the call of Golf Course Superintendent Kevin London. Kevin is fed up with wild hogs absolutely DESTROYING his fairways.

Dr. Andrew West and Renee Bousquet discover some surprising results when they check on the traps they'd set the day before.

GDD Tracker: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

Predicting pest outbreaks by calendar date is unpredictable and unreliable from year to year. Growing degree-days accumulate heat unit to accurately predict biological phenomenon even when the weather is fickle. GDDTracker is a online tool created for turfgrass managers in the US Great Lakes Region (Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio); helping them predict pest outbreaks and application timing for their location.