Organic Golf Course Management in Utah

Utah State University has identified Utah to be a perfect model to explore the use of organic management strategies on golf courses because of its diverse climates and landscapes that reflect those throughout the Intermountain Western US. As a means to increase awareness to golf course managers and superintendents about unnecessary pesticide use and provide alternative management tactics for golf courses in these landscapes, the USU Extension and the Center for Resource Management present the online training module "Organic Golf Course Management in Utah".

The creation of these training videos (powerpoints turned into videos) was to help superintendents make the transition to an organic management program. The USU presentations were funded by an EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program grant and include the following sections:

1. Introduction
2. Variety Selection
3. Irrigation Management
4. Soils
5. Insects
6. Diseases
7. Weeds
8. Conclusion - Sustainable Management

Snake Oil, A Load Of Balls?

As we enter the depths of winter we are well and truly in the middle of the seminar/conference season. Listening to all these companies, they all seem to have the answer or magic cure for what ails our greens. Compost tea, phosphites, seaweed, all seem to be hot topics this year. We are being told that these are the way forward for both plant health and reduction in pesticides. But is this correct? Should we commit fully without solid independent evidence?

Last spring I was lucky enough to meet in person the legendary doctor Mr. James Beard. Me being me, I was right on him, trying to get inside that experienced mind of his. After two long days of careful probing there were two things he said that really stuck in my mind. The first was that there was no merit in so called ‘snake oils’ (meaning magic cures). He went on to say that in the future, some companies might find solutions, but at the moment it was like ‘throwing a load of balls up in the air and hoping that one would land correctly’. His words not mine!

Sustainability - What level are you at?

Last week I was driving to a turf seminar and while stuck in road works on the world renowned M25 (looking at Caterpillar diggers) I started to wonder; How sustainable am I? Apart from thinking that the motorway (highway for you North American boys) was not very sustainable I started to think about all the good things I'm doing. Less fungicide, less herbicide, basically less pesticides all make me happy. Then I thought about the grass species I like; creeping bent grass, poa annua and ryegrass and I started to panic. Perhaps I am not sustainable. Will my world fall apart?

A well maintained creeping bent green

CourseCo Promo: "The Direction Golf is Driving"

From BNet Magazine:

"Sustainability in Golf Course Design - According to the National Golf Foundation, more than 50 million people play the game of golf around the world. But there are some that believe the game harms the environment, whether it's wasting water or consuming large amounts of land. Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, California is trying to change how golf courses are maintained by focusing on eco-friendly practices. BNET visits the golf course to take a look at what they're doing to go green."

Sustainability in Golf Course Design

Part 3: The Quest for a "Zero Waste" Golf Course

Be sure to check out part 1 and 2 for a little more background info on how Josh Heptig, Dairy Creek Golf Course Superintendent, is committed to zero waste in his operations. In this video Josh takes us on a tour of his green waste management efforts.

 

Municipal Course Goes Biosolids Route

Awesome...

This video "highlights the sustainable modifications made to Hilaman Golf Course", a public course in Tallahassee Florida.

You'll see some features that are becoming quite common on golf courses including ACSP, Buffer Zones, Closed Loop Wash Pad, even the installation of Solar Panels on top of their cart storage facility.

Most impressive however is how the municipality fulfilled their responsibility to dispose of solid wastes from the local water treatment centre, and combined it with fulfilling the needs of providing the golf course with fertilizer through the production of processed biosolids.

This is thoughtful planning, demonstrating how sustainable solutions are the result of integrating the needs of multiple land users/services.

Environmental Approach - Clear Lake Golf Course, Manitoba

Here's an interview with Greg Holden, superintendent of Clear Lake Golf Course in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba and the Past President of the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association.

Greg uses mostly organic and natural methods to maintain the course. They compost all grass clippings and restaurant waste, use composting toilets and Biofuels to power their maintenance equipment, along with electric golf carts.

This video was produced for the St. Norbert Arts Centre in order to educate those on the Southwood Golf Course Development Team, who are now building a golf course adjacent to the St. Norbert Arts Centre (www.snac.mb.ca).