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Susan O’Dowd
Executive Secretary
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UPDATES
Our participating clubs have superintendents who work tirelessly to deliver excellent course conditions every year. Through reading our research and utilizing their experience, many superintendents have found new and innovative ways to enhance their operation. Included below are articles members have shared with our readers for the purpose of offering advice on all topics related to golf course maintenance.
Interested in writing an Update for us? Please visit our Contact page and let us know. We always welcome a new perspective on the industry.
FROM THE DESKS OF SUPERS
LATEST UPDATES:
GCSAA
RESOURCES
Old Weather Challenges Amidst New Challenges in GCM
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, one silver lining is that golf has served as a great means for leisurely activity in a safe, socially distant setting. Many courses in the tristate area have received record rounds of play to date. This is great, but the challenge for golf course superintendents has been adjusting and adapting to this high volume of play with reduced resources and weather.
+ FULL ARTICLE BY TOM KAPLUN, NORTH HEMPSTEAD COUNTRY CLUB
Five things your Superintendent Wished You Knew
Due to the restrictions in place for COVID-19, it is set to be one of the most unusual seasons ever upon us. Most if not all golf courses are working with much smaller staffs while trying to provide players with the quality of golf they have come to expect. Next time you play, consider these practices that may be in effect at your course or club.
+ FULL ARTICLE BY TIMOTHY GARCEAU, HAWORTH COUNTRY CLUB
Surviving Summer Stresses
Summer months are a great time to get out and play golf. However, managing short-cut turfgrass on tees and fairways, as well as bentgrass and poa annua (annual bluegrass) around one-hundredth of an inch in length on putting greens is very stressful-not only for the staff maintaining the golf course but also for the many grass plants.
+ FULL ARTICLE BY TIM WALKER, LEEWOOD GOLF CLUB
Pollinator Promotion
Golf courses receive a lot of attention for their application of chemicals-particularly insecticides and their impact on pollinators. Much of the attention is ill contrived and misconceived and can be easily mitigated by making applications in accordance with best management practices.
+ FULL ARTICLE BY LUKE KNUTSON, ROCKVILLE LINKS CLUB
The Life of a Golf Course Superintendent: Weather
Superintendents live and die with the weather. Last year's incessant rains, for example, wrought havoc on maintenance schedules, on disease protection and on members' ability to enjoy their course. There were too many rainy days in the metropolitan area to provide the conditions we strive for.
+ FULL ARTICLE BY CHRIS CARSON, ECHO LAKE CC
New USGA Rules and Golf Course Maintenance
The good news is that these new Rules don't require you to be an expert, but they do require some analysis of the course by a Committee to review the way in which the course is marked. I would strongly recommend getting your professional staff involved in this process. One Rule change is that there are no more "hazards". The new term is "penalty area". Here is the new Rule as written by the USGA:
+ FULL ARTICLE BY MATT CEPLO, ROCKLAND CC
Effective and timely communication with staff, club officials, and golfing patrons has never been more critical to a well-run operation and ultimately, golfer satisfaction.
COMMUNICATIONS Superintendent Communication Through Technology
Frost delays are difficult to predict in both when they will occur and when they will be over. This can lead to frustration for all involved. By communicating and being prepared with info and alternatives, stress can be minimized.
To help make the most informed decisions regarding their trees, it is advised that clubs bring along an individual who is knowledgeable in tree care.
FROST DELAYS What You Need
To Know
MANAGING TREES Tips for Maintaining
Golf Course Trees
Whether your golf course is a high-end private facility or a heavily played daily fee course, all superintendents strive to manage the resources provided to achieve an enjoyable playing experience for every golfer.
COURSE CHALLENGES Dealing With Challenges Every Course Must Face
Lightning fast speeds greatly reduce the cupping area on greens while also increasing the degree of difficulty, which has a direct impact on the pace of play.
in order to maintain optimal turf conditions on greens, hand watering during the day is needed to keep these areas well-maintained.
GREEN SPEEDS Esclating Green Speeds: Is there an end in sight?
HAND-WATERING Syringing Greens with Midday Water Application
FOLLOW THE MONEY
$1.1M: TOTAL FUNDS RAISED
$750K: UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
$240K: INVESTMENT ASSETS
$50K: PER YEAR IN FUNDRAISING
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