USGA Green Section Record, April 04, 2014 The content in this preview is based on the last saved version of your email - any changes made to your email that have not been saved will not be shown in this preview. CAN WE AFFORD NOT TO INVEST IN A NEW MAINTENANCE FACILITY? IS YOUR MAINTENANCE FACILITY A LIABILITY THAT INTERFERES WITH COURSE CARE? Much has been made of the economic downturn and the impact it has had on golf. In response, maintenance budgets have remained frozen or have been reduced at most golf facilities. Capital investment in course maintenance equipment and replacement of larger, more expensive infrastructure items have been put off or ignored at many facilities. This is not surprising because the need to reduce spending is understandable when income is down. However, few golf facilities compute "the cost of not investing" in infrastructure items. In some cases, the cost of not investing can be considerable though not immediately obvious and difficult to quantify. There are times when it is financially impossible or unwise to invest in infrastructure items. Before deciding whether or not to spend on needed improvements, carefully consider the cost of not doing so. Quite simply, there are times when golf facilities simply cannot afford not to invest in maintenance infrastructure. It is critical to use and store fertilizers and pesticides properly. The environmental liability associated with not doing so is tremendous. Read More GOLF CARTS - PROFIT CENTER OR NOT? CARTS CAN BE A REVENUE SOURCE, BUT THERE ARE MANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR USE Golf cart use has steadily increased over time. The National Golf Foundation reported that 69 percent of all rounds in 2006 were played with carts. The percentage of rounds played by those carrying their own bag, down 14 percent, or using pull carts, down 10 percent, has steadily declined while cart use, up 24 percent, has increased significantly since 1994. Golf in the U.S. has transformed from a walking game to a riding game for many. This trend may be the result of an aging golfer population, but could also signify a change in golfers' perceptions of what defines a good golf experience. Golf carts first became commercially available in the late 1940s and have since become invaluable for players that find it too difficult to walk while playing golf.Originally used to aid golfers in getting through their rounds, golf carts have become a major revenue source for golf facilities. In some cases, golf cart rentals are critical to the financial stability of the facility. Carts bring money in, but does the net revenue outweigh the negative effect their use has on course conditions, maintenance inputs and pace of play? Read More Carts can be a source of revenue for most facilities, but their use has consequences and costs that must be considered. With warming spring temperatures, we know you're excited to get out on the golf course. Just remember to have patience when it comes to course conditioning as this winter has been severe. Here's what you can expect and how you can help your golf course reach its peak condition. The recent economic recession has led some to believe that the USGA no longer supports turfgrass and environmental research. Not only does the USGA continue to support research, it provides more than a million dollars annually for 50 to 70 projects at land grant universities across the U.S. Since 1920, the USGA has provided $40 million for turfgrass and environmental research. This issue of the Record includes an article by David Oatis about the importance of properly designed and constructed maintenance facilities. This photo, taken in 1949, is typical of what was often called the maintenance barn or tool shed. While such structures served as simple storage areas in those days, facilities today serve multiple purposes, including safety, environmental, storage, education and equipment management. (Photo selected from the Noer/Milorganite Image Collection by Elisabeth Mabie and courtesy of the Michigan State Library Turfgrass Information Center.) REGIONAL UPDATES REGIONAL UPDATES The USGA Green Section is divided into eight regions staffed by agronomists who work with golf facilities on care of the golf course. USGA agronomists provide regular regional updates outlining current issues and observations from the field. Be sure to view updates from multiple regions as featured ideas, techniques and solutions to problems often apply to other parts of the country. NORTHEAST REGION The golf season is just around the corner and golfers are champing at the bit. All seems well with the world right? Not so fast. A number of golf courses in the region may have to recover from winter injury before much golf can be played this spring. Read More MID-ATLANTIC REGION Warmer days have arrived, along with a few spring rain showers, and maintenance crews in the Mid-Atlantic are working hard to catch up. The relentless winter weather that extended into spring may cause some delays in routine spring maintenance activities. Read More SOUTHEAST REGION Save the date for the 68th Annual Southeastern Turfgrass Conference to be held April 29 at the University of Georgia's Tifton Campus. Come tour research plots that provide the latest information on warm-season turfgrass breeding and future new varieties for golf courses, athletic fields and home lawns. Read More FLORIDA REGION Did you know there is an app for that? Remove the guesswork with tree removal to improve turf health on important playing areas. In Florida, turf damage caused by tree shade is fresh, so make the decision to remove problematic trees now and reduce the likelihood of turf thinning next year. Read More NORTH-CENTRAL REGION As winter drags on in the North, superintendents are becoming increasingly anxious about turf health. When the weather begins to warm up this spring, don't be fooled by the color of turf as it emerges from melting ice and snow. Read More MID-CONTINENT REGION As much of the lower Midwest remains in a significant drought, now is the time to take stock of your water. Read on for a list of questions that golf facilities should be asking themselves so that plans are in place before a potential summer drought event occurs. Read More NORTHWEST REGION Want to grow the game and attract children to your facility? If so, then you need to learn about The First Green, SNAG and FootGolf. Read More SOUTHWEST REGION Warmer-than-normal spring temperatures in the desert Southwest have expedited the transition from overseeded cool-season grasses to bermudagrass. Brushing and growth regulation are two nondisruptive strategies that can be utilized by turf managers to facilitate this transition as the seasons change. Read More IMPORTANT LINKS USGA Privacy Policy USGA Green Section Home Page USGA Staff Contact Information Course Consulting Service Information USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online (TERO) Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section Publications ©2014 by United States Golf Association® Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section Publications USGA Green Section publications are made available through the courtesy of the United States Golf Association (USGA®). The reuse of these materials is authorized only if the following conditions are met in their entirety. This policy applies to all Green Section publications, including articles, videos, presentations, and webcasts. 1) Adherence to all components of our Conditions for Reuse policy. 2) Inclusion of the appropriate Reprint Permission Language. 3) Notification of your Intent To Reprint Content. The USGA Green Section Record (ISSN 2156-5813) is published biweekly via electronic mail by the United States Golf Association®. Golf House, Far Hills, NJ 07931 USGA Green Section 908.234.2300 Forward this email This email was sent to jmoore@usga.org by usgagreensectionrecord@usga.org | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. USGA Green Section | P.O. Box 708 | Far Hills | NJ | 07931 http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/...e3cynehWiijrHRpI-5id3brkCE1i0kToiC-T7hQWBPZI22GfkAuL_Pyu6LrdNdeng1d&id=preview[4/4/2014 10:48:08 AM]