USGA Green Section Record, October 03, 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. WHAT MAKES A GOOD MAINTENANCE FACILITY EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE FACILITIES SHARE SEVERAL KEY ATTRIBUTES By Todd Lowe, senior agronomist, Florida Region Golf courses vary in size and quality and so do the facilities that maintain them. In my years with the USGA, I have visited many inadequate and outdated maintenance facilities. However, I also visit many newer facilities with spacious courtyards, ample equipment storage areas, safe and efficient equipment repair areas, state-of-the-art chemical handling areas, separate fertilizer storage and covered storage bins for bulk materials like soil, sand, gravel, etc. The staffs at these facilities generally take greater pride in their work and maintain cleaner, safer maintenance facilities. It stands to reason that with improved facilities comes more professionalism, increased worker safety, higher staff morale and greater overall efficiency. There is no "one-size-fits-all" model for golf course maintenance facilities, as they differ in size, available area, layout and location. However, successful modern facilities share many common attributes that can be incorporated into your maintenance facility. This article lists several features that should be considered when building or redesigning your next maintenance facility. Read More Equipment repair areas should have several types of lifts and self-contained reel grinding areas. TEN LESSONS I LEARNED WHILE SERVING ON THE GREEN COMMITTEE By John Rydell This year marked the end of my involvement with the green committee at Mission Viejo Country Club in California. For the past eight years I have been involved with the green committee in various capacities. Throughout the years, my experience has ranged from being a brand-new committee member eight years ago to leading the green committee for numerous years. During my time working with the green committee there were many ups and downs, two superintendents and two general managers. We also were fortunate enough to oversee a $6 million course infrastructure and renovation project. At the end of my eight years, I was asked to reflect back on what advice I would offer to other green committee members based on my experience. Below is my personal top-10 list of things that green committees should keep in mind: Read More Questions and dialog with the superintendent are important for committee members. However, every hour spent asking questions or second-guessing decisions is one more hour the superintendent wasn't able to focus on leading his team and making the golf course great. JOHN DANIELS JOINS THE GREEN SECTION STAFF The USGA is proud to announce the addition of Agronomist John Daniels to the Green Section staff in the Mid-Continent Region. John will be based in Dallas, where he will consult with golf courses in the states of Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas. A native of St. Louis, Mo., John received both a bachelor's degree in plant sciences with an emphasis in turfgrass management and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Missouri. John continued his education at Purdue University where he earned a master's degree in plant pathology. During his time studying at Purdue, John participated in the USGA Green Section internship program. John's background includes deep ties to the game of golf and golf course maintenance. After six years of caddieing as a youth, John was awarded the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. John gained additional agronomic training through work experience at St. Louis (Mo.) Country Club and Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Recently, John was an assistant superintendent at Wheatley Hills Golf Club in Long Island, N.Y. John is enthusiastic about joining the USGA and he is eager to share his knowledge with golf courses in his region. Please join us in welcoming John to the staff and wishing him a long and successful tenure with the USGA Green Section. Also available in Spanish by following this link "The golfer cannot over-estimate the debt he owes to a good greenkeeper - to the fellow who helps in very great measure to make good golf possible." - Bobby Cruickshank, 1927. The importance of a close working relationship between the golf professional and the golf course superintendent is not a new concept. In this 1927 article in the National Greenkeeper magazine (official magazine of the National Association of Greenkeepers of America, predecessor of the GCSAA) golf professional Bobby Cruickshank of the Progress Country Club in Purchase, N.Y., offers his opinion on the subject. He also stresses why it is important for greenkeepers to play the game. Read the article. 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 As golfers enjoy the nice fall weather, golf course maintenance staffs throughout the Northeast Region are well underway with winter preparations. These preparations include maintenance practices that help turfgrass survive the upcoming winter months and hopefully prevent the damage experienced by many last winter. Read More MID-ATLANTIC REGION One insect pest caused widespread damage on several golf courses throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region this season. However, this pest is probably not one that readily comes to mind. Sometimes it is important to remember that pest-control products can be just as harmful as the pests they are intended to control. Read More SOUTHEAST REGION Managing bermudagrass encroachment can be challenging, especially during grow- in when additional fertilizer is being applied to help establish putting green turf. This regional update highlights the creative solution one Mississippi superintendent used to manage encroachment and maintain definition between collar and green. Read More FLORIDA REGION Plant-parasitic nematodes can be a significant turfgrass pest in Florida. Unfortunately, many of the previously available nematode-control options have been removed from the market. However, due in part to activism from golf course superintendents, the EPA has granted an extension on the use of fenamiphos. Learn more about nematodes and the fenamiphos extension in this regional update. Read More NORTH-CENTRAL REGION The mild weather and colorful leaves can make fall an excellent season to play golf. However, realize the implications fall may have on your course as student employees return to school and prioritizing maintenance tasks becomes crucial. Also, learn how fall can impact your round of golf as leaves and other loose impediments settle in hazards. Read More MID-CONTINENT REGION If only there were more time to get things done on the golf course without interruption from play. Routinely closing the course for maintenance is a cost-effective approach to improving course conditions while maximizing staff productivity. Read More NORTHWEST REGION Excess thatch is a major detriment to turfgrass health and playing quality, whether it is on greens, approaches, collars, tees or fairways. In the Northwest Region, controlling thatch on fairways can be difficult, particularly those fairways with significant creeping bentgrass populations. Read More SOUTHWEST REGION Severe drought conditions are not only affecting turfgrass conditions throughout much of the Southwest, but trees are also being impacted as irrigation is reduced or eliminated to conserve water. One golf course in Southern California is applying a unique strategy involving water injection to help preserve select tree specimens. 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®. 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