USGA Green Section Record, June 27, 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. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED - A USGA STAFF OPINION GOLF COURSE AND TURFGRASS MANAGEMENT: FROM ART TO SCIENCE John Foy, director, Florida Region In James B. Beard's book, "Turf Management for Golf Courses," it is reported that the first greenkeeper positions in Scotland were established by the end of the 1700s. Trial-and-error experiences of early greenkeepers were the foundation of the art of golf turf culture. The first scientific papers related to turfgrass research were published in the late 1800s, but it was not until the 1920s when the USGA created the Green Section that the development of scientific information relating to golf course turf began to occur. In the article "Maintenance Changes from Art to Art and Science," published in the April 1952 issue of Golfdom magazine, Hank Miller, superintendent at Briergate Golf Club in Deerfield, Ill, wrote about the evolution of course management during his career and how science was playing an increasing role. If one takes a moment to contemplate the tremendous advances that have been made in science and technology in every aspect of life over the past 60 years, it is certainly easy to understand why art has become a less recognized component in modern-day course management. Kyle Sweet, CGCS, The Sanctuary Golf Club on Sanibel Island, Fla., emphasizes that it is important to get out of the office, change up your routine, and spend some time on a fairway unit, mow a few greens, or put the paint gun to use marking the course. Advances in the science of turfgrass management have greatly improved golf course conditions. However, the art of greenkeeping still plays an important role in course presentation and golfer enjoyment. Read More LOW-HANGING FRUIT LOOKING TO IMPROVE AESTHETICS AND PLAYABILITY ON A BUDGET? BEGIN BY "FIXING" CONTOURS ON GREENS Dave Oatis, director, Northeast Region Just about everyone wants to improve their golf course. Remaining static, or worse yet going backward, while other courses are upgrading their facilities can be detrimental to business in a competitive industry. Course improvements come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Upgrading agronomic programs to provide better turf and improved playing conditions is a very sound approach. Many golf facilities develop master plans and subsequently implement extensive course renovation projects. However, spending a lot of money on course upgrades does not guarantee success. Poorly conceived master plans can have detrimental effects on playability and the maintenance budget. Even the best course improvements will be met with failure if basic agronomic programs are ignored. The difference in course improvement programs is partially a reflection of the diverse financial health of golf facilities. Some have the resources In addition to losing interesting hole locations, shrunken greens often lose their unique character. to implement expensive, ambitious improvement programs and upgrade maintenance programs, whereas others struggle to find ways of keeping the doors open and meeting daily expenses. What would you say if I told you of a program that could have a significant and very positive effect on playability at most golf courses and can usually be accomplished without tremendous expense? It probably sounds too good to be true, but the fact is many golf facilities can make major improvements in playability by "fixing" mowing contours. Read More When is the best time to water turf? At night or during the day? The answer will help you better understand golf's use of water, why you're likely to encounter irrigation during your round of golf, and even help in maintaining your home lawn. The Turfgrass and Environmental Research Committee met in Atlanta during the first week of June to discuss several projects funded by the program. The committee reviewed summaries of 58 research projects that received a total of $960,000 in grant funding from the USGA's Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program during 2013. Members of the committee also heard several presentations from researchers at the University of Georgia. We all know how much the golf course maintenance industry depends on the sales representatives that travel the country sharing the latest and greatest in equipment and turf-care products. Life on the road can be difficult but it has come a long way since this brief article appeared in The National Greenkeeper in February of 1928. Notice the snow on the ground and the open window. Below is the caption that accompanied the picture. Be sure and read to the last sentence. "Lets Go!" Says Jacobsen Salesman Here is Mr. Einer Brown, representative of the Jacobsen Manufacturing Company, of Racine, Wis., starting out in his new territory through West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland and District of Columbia. Greenkeepers and Green committee chairmen in states named can see how Jacobsen power mowers operate before grass has started to grow this spring, for he has with him a special moving picture projector showing these mowers in action. 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 elimination of metal spikes from most courses has not completely solved the problem of damage from those who drag and twist their feet. Read More MID-ATLANTIC REGION Despite aggressive control strategies, annual bluegrass weevils have wreaked havoc in parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The unusually cool spring has likely prolonged adult annual bluegrass weevil activity, further complicating control efforts. Discover the importance of vigilant scouting in this regional update. Read More SOUTHEAST REGION This update provides a variety of links to articles on important bentgrass summer survival strategies. Read More FLORIDA REGION Does it look like your turf has a bad case of the chicken pox? Don't reach for the calamine lotion quite yet. The spots likely result from efforts to eradicate difficult-to- control weeds like goosegrass, tropical signalgrass or sedges. Read More NORTH-CENTRAL REGION Recent weather has resulted in a flush of turf growth throughout the region leaving many courses littered with difficult-to- disperse clippings. Although clipping management can be frustrating and time consuming, a little creativity and some resourcefulness can help expedite this tedious practice. Read More MID-CONTINENT REGION Golf course superintendent blogs provide tremendous insight into how golf courses are managed to achieve the best playing quality possible while addressing the agronomic needs of the course itself. The blogs are invariably geared toward the golfer in an effort to help players better understand how course maintenance impacts their game. This update features another outstanding blog from the Mid- Continent region. Read More NORTHWEST REGION Without a doubt water use is the most important issue facing golf, and courses across the country are working to reduce the amount of water they use. But what happens if you have too much water? In this regional update discover what one course did to prevent flooding after a particularly catastrophic event in 2013. Read More SOUTHWEST REGION Portability is the focus of this update. Superintendent Kent McCutcheon of the Las Vegas Country Club shares two ideas that could work for you as well. 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/...oPF1rYT9KWXcg2lG88SsRX-e9IWNfKRYNbLttPONHDZJhBFFdxNJRK395NR&id=preview[6/27/2014 11:00:55 AM]