Bekah Rottenberg 2003 Brown University

Recommendations

Recommendations are based primarily off of the data I collected from RI superintendents, as well as background research. The recommendations are primarily geared towards superintendents; however, they can also apply to individuals looking to maintain a healthy lawn, or groundskeepers of athletic fields or recreational parks.

General 1. Educate members and golfers about the maintenance requirements of maintaining a golf course. Provide information regarding weather conditions and season, and how they affect playing conditions. Inform golfers of grounds crew operations, and provide reasonable expectations for the week. Information can be communicated through newsletters, bulletin board postings, emails, and greens committees. 2. Create and maintain natural areas with native species and label these areas inorder to increase awarness. Encourage wildlife as much as possible through bird houses, osprey nests, and providing a safe and natual environment for animals.

Bird houses are a great way to encourage wildlife onto a golf course.

Water

1. Increase the height of cut on the greens and use drought tolerant grass species. The courses with the longest height of cut on the greens (at least ¼ in), on average, used the least amount of water. Velvet bentgrass is the recommended variety of bentgrass for the greens due to its fine leaf texture and high drought tolerance.

2. Use modern irrigation systems with individually controlled sprinkler heads that allow for programming according to site-specific needs. In addition use technology such as weather stations, rain gages, evapotraspiration pans and soil probes to monitor and calculate water needs of the grass.

3. Consider converting to effluent, stormwater, or gray water irrigation systems when available, economically feasible and environmentally acceptable. For a map of golf course locations in relation to wastewater treatment facilities click here.

4. Irrigate at the optimal times of day to minimize evaporation and reduce potential for disease. Ideal times to irrigate are primarily in the early morning, or when the grass is naturally wet.[16]

5. Have a water conservation plan for drought conditions and prioritize water application during critical periods. Many superintendents prioritized their water during times of drought by reducing or restricting water to the rough and the fairways, or hand watering opposed to running the entire irrigation system.

Turf

1. Plant grass species with high tolerance to drought, disease and pest resistance, and are resilient and durable, yet still provide good playability. Plant native and naturalized vegetation, and maintain native species in out of play areas. Design and cultivate "natural areas" on the course, and select species of turfgrass that are best adapted to RI. Velvet bentgrass is the recommended variety for use on the greens, tees, and fairways.

2. Increase the height of cut on the greens in order to increase turf strength and root systems, and provide more durable and weather resistant turf. The recommended height of cut is no less than 1/4in on the greens.

3. Plant mixes of grass species in order to avoid an epidemic from pests or diseases. Recommended mixes most frequently involve ryegrass.

4. Reduce the number of mowings per week. Mowing less frequently allows the grass to grow longer, thus it requires less water and allows for a stronger root system to develop.

Pesticides

1. Monitor water use. Effective water management can result in a reduction of overall water consumption and improved course conditions such as the reduction of pests and disease. [12] Water management strategies include irrigating at the correct times of day, modern irrigation systems and appropriate technology. It is best to irrigate during the hours when the grass is normally wet which is usually from late night to early morning.[13] An updated irrigation system is also extremely helpful to improve watering efficiency; technology is currently available that allows individual sprinkler heads to be programmed according to the site-specific needs of the each course. Technologies such as "mini-clicks" are available that automatically shut off irrigation systems when it rains, along with weather stations that provide constant and local updates.

2. Employ the practices of Integrated Pest Management. The integration of chemical, cultural, and biological practices can be a very effective strategy for the overall reduction of pesticide use. Recommended practices include the use of biological controls for pests and diseases such as parasites and predators; specific examples can be found here. Dragging a rope or hose across the greens in the early morning to remove dew is a recommended cultural practice to decrease disease risk. Monitor pests and diseases, and establish damage thresholds before pesticide applications. [14] When chemical pesticides are applied, select those with the lowest overall toxicity ratings.

3. Maintain strong, healthy soils through practices such as topdressing and aerification which have a beneficial impact on soil health and structure. Organic fertilizers also aide in soil quality imporvement. Organic fertilizers enhance organic soil matter, which increases the ability of the soil to supply nutrients to the grass, thus providing a stronger and more pest and disease resistant turf.[15]