USGA Green Section Record, March 20, 2020 SHARE: Join Our Email List Letter From The Editor To the Reader: I hope this issue of the USGA Green Section Record finds you and your family, friends and colleagues in good health. As you know, the spread of the novel coronavirus is having a tremendous impact on golf course maintenance practices across the country. Many golf courses are operating with limited staff and taking unique approaches to course setup and presentation to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Courses are also being forced to cope with resource impacts that are likely to become worse. The previously published USGA article “ Dollars and Sense: Making it in a Tough Economy ” outlines many helpful strategies golf courses can implement in response to the labor and resource challenges presented by this virus. Additional content will be developed by our Green Section staff as the impact of the virus on the golf course industry unfolds. If you have any agronomic questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to your regional USGA agronomist via email or phone. Sincerely, Adam C. Moeller Editor-in-Chief Regional Updates West Region Northeast Region Sadly, March Madness takes a new form this year. Golf course maintenance operations can use what will likely be a period of reduced play volume to conduct important cultural practices. Courses throughout the Northeast are mowing playing surfaces for the first time to clean them up. This is an excellent opportunity to assess turf health and prepare for the upcoming season. Read More Read More Central Region Southeast Region Golf courses throughout the country are doing their part to monitor and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Here are some examples of prevention strategies that are being implemented. Before courses decide whether to rebuild putting greens this summer, it’s important to perform due diligence to determine which construction method is best for their unique situation. Read More Read More In Case You Missed It Coming Up Next Issue For many superintendents, hiring and retaining a reliable maintenance staff is the number one concern heading into each golf season. It's increasingly difficult to fill positions and the cost of labor is rising. The March 6, 2020, issue of the USGA Green Section Record highlighted various strategies currently being used by superintendents around the country to build a high-quality and reliable maintenance staff in today's increasingly challenging labor market. Many bird species, even common birds that we see every day, are under threat from development, habitat loss and various other challenges. Golfers and golf courses are in a great position to help. The April 3, 2020, issue of the USGA Green Section Record details a number of key strategies that will help your golf course to support a wide variety of bird species. In the process, you may also conserve resources, engage golfers and improve the overall golf experience. Read This Issue Browse All Past Issues Latest From Course Care Industry Update USGA Panel Discussion New Director Of Turfgrass And Environmental Research New Trends In Aeration And Topdressing Dr. Cole Thompson named as Director, Turfgrass and Environmental Research. Thompson will administer the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program, which funds more than $1.5 million in research grants each year. USGA agronomists lead a panel discussion about emerging trends in putting green aeration and topdressing at the Golf Industry Show. Watch the panel discussion to find out if these new trends are right for your course. Read More Watch Now 100th Anniversary Featured From The Vault: Experimental Greens Dollars And Sense: Making It During Times Of Uncertainty Improving grasses has always been a big part of the USGA Green Section’s work, as shown in this 1940 article describing experimental “pie greens” at courses around the United States, including Pine Valley. Golf course maintenance staffs across the country are being impacted by COVID-19. This article from a past crisis outlines many helpful strategies golf courses can implement in response to the labor challenges presented by this virus. Read More Read More Editorial Staff Adam Moeller Editor in Chief George Waters Associate Editor Matthew Patalona Creative Director Andrew Caron Art Director United States Golf Association 77 Liberty Corner Road Liberty Corner, NJ 07938 908.234.2300 Contact Us Stay Connected with the USGA ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 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) ©2020 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 twice monthly via electronic mail by the United States Golf Association®. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/USGA-Green-Section-Record--March-20--2020.html?soid=1103157499740&aid=z_GWl_t3epU[5/4/2020 1:53:17 PM]