USGA Green Section Record, May 30, 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. In this webcast, see how Kings Links by the Sea in Delta, British Columbia, in the Pacific Northwest is turning the catchphrase "sustainability" into reality. Not everything their staff does will be applicable to your golf facility, but there are many good lessons to be learned that save resources and enhance playability. THE REAL ARNIE'S ARMY: THE MAINTENANCE STAFF AN EXTREMELY LARGE MAINTENANCE STAFF IS NEEDED DURING TELEVISED GOLF EVENTS Adam Moeller, agronomist, Northeast Region Televised golf events became increasingly popular during the peak of Arnold Palmer's career in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Televised golf has greatly improved golf's popularity worldwide. Watching great players navigate the challenges of some of the toughest golf courses makes for great drama. Who doesn't enjoy an extreme closeup of a golf ball rolling smoothly toward the hole? It takes a lot of time and effort to produce putting greens that are smooth, let alone to manicure an entire golf course to look perfect on TV. Arnie's Army, which referred to Palmer's legion of fans that marched around the golf course following him, perhaps is a more fitting name for the maintenance staff during televised golf events. After all, a small army is required to prepare a golf course to such a high level for these events. Golf course superintendents have said many times that viewers should be notified often throughout the telecast that the conditions observed on TV are not to be expected on a daily basis at their course. This article Televised golf events require a lot of hard work from an extensive maintenance staff in order to ensure the best possible playing conditions. gives the reader a look behind the scenes of televised golf. Read More BERMUDAGRASS FAIRWAY MANAGEMENT A REVIEW OF PRACTICES FOR MAINTAINING DESIRABLE PLAYING CONDITIONS John Foy, director, Florida Region Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) is well-adapted to warm climates and possesses good overall turf characteristics. It is the most widely used warm-season turfgrass for golf courses. Since its introduction in the early 1960s, the hybrid cultivar Tifway (also known as 419) has been the industry standard, and there is no argument that it provides excellent fairway playing conditions. However, in the past decade several new bermudagrass cultivars with improved performance and stress-tolerance characteristics have been introduced. New bermudagrass cultivars such as Riviera, Latitude 36, Yukon, Patriot and Northbridge exhibit improved cold tolerance and often require fewer management inputs than cool-season turfgrass species resulting in their increased use throughout the transition zone of the United States. The article "Working" Bermudagrass Fairways reviews management practices used by golf courses in Florida to produce premium-quality Properly managed bermudagrass fairways provide an excellent playing surface for golfers of all skill levels. Tifway fairways. While many of the basic principles are still applicable today, some of the practices have been fine-tuned and additional tools have been developed to facilitate bermudagrass fairway management. The following is a review of current bermudagrass fairway management practices. Read More Also available in Spanish: Etiqueta En El Bunker There is much more to bunker etiquette than simply smoothing your tracks following your bunker shot. This video demonstrates how to rake bunkers correctly, where to place bunker rakes, how to proceed should your ball come to rest against a bunker rake, and where to enter and exit a bunker. As you will see, proper bunker etiquette goes a long way toward caring for the course and increasing enjoyment of the game for everyone. One of the positive outcomes of the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program has been the successful development of breeding programs for warm-season turfgrasses. With funding from the USGA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, researchers in Texas, Georgia, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Florida have tested hundreds of varieties of warm-season grasses for drought, salinity, shade and cold tolerance. Now nearing completion of the fourth year of the study, three new bermudagrass varieties and more than 10 new zoysiagrass varieties have been entered into the 2013 National Turfgrass Evaluation Trials. Golf course superintendents have long recognized the importance of using water wisely from the standpoint of promoting turfgrass health. Given the droughts occurring throughout much of the country making every drop count is more important than ever. Using moisture meters to accurately gauge the need for supplemental irrigation is a key component of water management. However, it is not a new concept as the photograph above illustrates. The meter pictured was invented by George Bouyoucos in 1949. The headphones were used to calibrate the instrument prior to taking a moisture reading. If you see a turfgrass manager wearing headphones while taking moisture readings today you can bet he is listening to electronic tones that are much more entertaining. 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 return of spring weather is promoting turfgrass growth and recovery throughout the region. Although damaged greens may look ready for play from the 150-yard marker, patience and special management practices, including keeping damaged greens closed, may still be needed to expedite the recovery process. Read More MID-ATLANTIC REGION Frustrated by clumps of grass clippings and never-ending rough mowing? So is your superintendent. Spring weather has resulted in a surge of cool-season turf growth. Although the rough may currently be outgrowing the resources available to mow it now, in time the slower, steady, summer-growth rate will return and roughs will be more playable. Read More SOUTHEAST REGION In less than two weeks, the Southeast Region will host two historic events: back- to-back U.S. Open Championships at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club's Course No. 2. This update recounts the historic past of Course No. 2 and provides a glimpse into what it takes to host back- to-back USGA championships. Read More FLORIDA REGION The heat and humidity of summer are around the corner and soon play will decrease throughout the region. But while play is decreasing, the rapidly increasing growth of warm-season turfgrasses keeps maintenance staffs busy with important summertime cultivation practices. Read More NORTH-CENTRAL REGION Having trouble finding quality bentgrass sod to repair fairways damaged by winterkill? A good source of sod may be closer than you think. When the supply of sod is low but demand is high, look no further than your own golf course for a readily available source of sod. Read More MID-CONTINENT REGION One of the very best uses of a blog is to provide timely and informative updates on a major renovation project. This update features the blog from Wichita Country Club Superintendent Brian White. His blog outlines a rough conversion project and does so succinctly and in layman's terms - two attributes every superintendent's blog should emulate. Read More NORTHWEST REGION The heightened awareness of economic and environmental sustainability has golf facilities continually searching for ways to cut costs and reduce their environmental impact. This can be particularly challenging for courses surrounded by housing developments. Read how one such golf facility succeeded by simply taking a little off the top and cleaning up the sides. Read More SOUTHWEST REGION Recently, four classes of third-grade students were treated to a day of outdoor education and an introduction to the game of golf. Why not treat students to a field trip to your facility where the youth in your community can learn about wildlife, the environment and the game? 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/...si0HsY70k2N63gh3bbqgnKOfX4UIZubDuM3d3qMm0CQBgCweKy-Fsqs9kDExI&id=preview[5/30/2014 10:06:29 AM]