Trades Review - TopDown Images

TopDown Images LLC introduces TurfManager®, the first online turf management system with GPS imagery and detailed record keeping.

TurfManager is designed as an online ‘dashboard’ for turf managers and golf course superintendents to help manage multiple solutions that standardizes record keeping and processes, promote environmental sustainability, consolidate all real-time operational data into one platform accessible 24/7, meet compliance chemical reporting and identify costs for reduction.

TOPDOWN has achieved accurate record keeping by integrating two solutions: a GPS Visual solution that overlays assets, “as installed” configurations and other infrastructure overlays onto aerial imagery, along with the Maintenance Central solution, which is a record keeping system that tracks key success factors like labor, equipment, water, work and purchase orders, and chemical usage.

TurfManager consolidates record keeping into one internet-based platform accessible 24/7, provides sustainable solutions, develops ”Best of Class” processes, identifies costs to contain, and ensures accurate Government and regulatory agency compliance reporting. TurfManager fulfills the turf manager/superintendent’s need for a visual dashboard that uses a centralized one-stop-shop portal for total cost transparency. Identifying costs more accurately will result in better management and reduction of labor, inventory and equipment expense. TurfManager provides the turf manager with a quantifiable and sustainable ‘green orientation’. TurfManager provides a ‘bridge’ between General Management and the Superintendent/turf manager for collaborative planning and management. TurfManager is ideal for multiple course owners and management companies.

TopDown Images and employees have memberships in Audubon Int’l, USGA, GCSAA, GCBAA, IECA and ULI.

To learn more about TurfManager, visit www.topdownimages.com or contact
Hugh J. Rundle, TopDown Images, at (585) 472-6515.

Disease Profile: Waitea Patch

Most of the turf diseases I encounter have been around for as long as I've been working on golf courses. This one, however, is fairly new and has become our most common disease. Waitea patch or brown ring patch (I like Waitea because it sounds sexy) is more cosmetic than harmful.

The first time I saw this disease, I confused it for another common problem called yellow patch or cool season brown patch. Yellow patch is entirely cosmetic and disappears when temperatures warm up. For that reason, I let it alone and watched it grow in strength, size, and number day after day. The warmer it got, the uglier these rings became.

Now that we know what we're dealing with, all we have to do is spray the correct product to clean things up. That simple task gets tricky when the sprayer goes does with an electrical problem. The sprayer is brand new and under warranty, so we won't be billed for the repair, but it doesn't do us much good while it's sitting in the shop.

Our old sprayer had been converted into a weed and turf killing machine. All we have used it for since acquiring the new unit is herbicide sprays including a Revolver application on #11 fairway. Revolver is a product that kills cool season grasses and many weeds while leaving the bermuda alone to spread without competition. This is not the type of thing you want in your tank before you go treat the greens with a fungicide.

I let the Waitea run wild for over a week until the repair date was backed up waiting for parts. We cleaned the tank on the 1992 model very thoroughly and went out yesterday to fix the problem. There is little to worry about with this phenomenal weather and a ugly, but weak disease.

We can let it flex its muscle for a week or so and then put it back in its place. We have the technology.

I won't bore all of you with product names, rates, and specific control measures. However, if there are any Superintendents who want to trade notes, I would be happy to discuss our control program and hopefully learn some new tricks. I can be reached via email at sgccturf@sbcgloba.net

From the blog of Jim Alwine, Superintendent of Stockton Golf and Country Club

Let the good times Roll!

The Deep tining has begun!

Our last and final piece of new equipment arrived yesterday-a Redexim Vertidrain. The Redexim Company has been around for 30 years and is the leader in deep tine aerification. The piece of machinery will be become the foundation to our fairway aerification program.
This specific aerifier is much different than the typical aerifier that you usually see on putting green. This aerifier has the ability to reach depths of 12” deep, where are most aerifiers go 3-4” into the soil. When the aerifing tine is inserted into the ground, the machine is design to allow the tines to create a “kicking” motion, therefore affecting more area and increasing how alluvial the soil is, thus allowing for a better root structure.

Why is this important, you ask? During the renovation in 2005, the fairways were stripped of the old 419 bermudagrass, rototilled to a depth of 4” and regrassed. Though this created a wonderful soil profile for the juvenile grass, traditional core aerification that followed never allowed for the roots to get to a depth where they could withstand the stress of traffic, mowing and insects. Over the years, the soil has become “locked up” and severe compaction has settled in, along with the soil’s inability to flush salts and releases beneficial nutrients. After viewing all our fairways with our turfgrass consultant, we found that many Pine Tree’s fairways have a layer nearly 3” deep. The top 3” provides and fairly good growing medium for the plant, but that is where is stops…literally. In many cases, the layer that consists 3” below the surface is so compacted, that a hammer was needed to insert the soil probe past a 3” depth.
We tried out the new machine on #15 fairway and was shocked as to just how soft the soil is after the machine had done its work. There was smile on all our faces because we know that this is the beginning to return the fairways to the healthy, dense, aggressive turf that we all expect and can be proud of.

Our intensions are to deep tine the fairways 3-4 times this summer, along with traditional core aerification. Compile this with the LIME to adjust of ph levels and proper fertilizers and we will have a hard time slowing down the growth-believe us, our feelings will not be hurt when this is the case!

From the blog of Tony Nysse, Superintendent of Pine Tree Golf Club

Trades Review

STEC adds another leading name to its specialized line of turf equipment.
New Products distributed by STEC Specialized Turf Equipment Company.

STEC Specialized Turf Equipment Company will now be distributing multi functional vacuums, sweepers and blowers from the well known market leader Trilo, manufactured in the Netherlands. Trilo vacuums provide turf professionals and managers, time saving solutions that can be used for a wide variety of tasks. This includes clearing grass, hedge trimmings, autumn leaves, recreational waste and litter. Also bringing the ability to verticut, while vacuuming turf in one operation.

STEC Inc
(888)325-2532
www.stecequipment.com

Just crusin the Blogs spring is in the air!

Lots of aerifying going on the guys at Lake Valley are busy bees www.lakevalleygolf.blogspot.com

Some are still getting snow YIKES! Sorry Sean www.cccpgcm.blogspot.com

The crew at Corral De Tierra Country Club are almost done with their giant pond project www.corralmaintenance.blogspot.com

Chris Tritabaugh is changing his blog look over at Northland Country Club give it a look www.northlandgrounds.blogspot.com

Things are getting hot for David Soltvedt and his crew as they get ready for the start of the season www.cpnagronomy.blogspot.com

Mike Vogt gives some tips on hiring good people on his blog www.mcmahongroup.blogspot.com

Carbon Foot print, Why is it Important to Me?

From the blog of Micheal Vogt, CGCS

This is the best definition I can come-up with:

“The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly to support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of either carbon or carbon dioxide.

Direct greenhouse gas emissions can include tailpipe emissions of CO2 from motor vehicles, methane from landfills, and hydro fluorocarbons from leaking refrigeration or air conditioning equipment. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions arise from coal and other fossil fuel-based energy generated to power residential, commercial, and industrial activities. Indirect emissions also arise from fossil fuel combustion used in the manufacture, transport, storage, disposal, and recycling of commodities and manufactured products.”

How about the golf course, what’s involved in calculating carbon foot prints for a golf course maintenance operation?

• Gasoline and diesel fuel for machinery and delivery trucks
• Heating and cooling the Turf Care Center
• Plastic packaging
• Electricity for irrigation pumps

Virtually everything, (products and services) used at the golf course has an associated carbon foot print. As soon as we use these products and services the green house gases (GHG) that help manufacture and delivered these products and services are assigned to the end user.

Basic Carbon Dioxide Chemistry:

• Chemical Formula: CO2
• Molecular Weight: 44.01
• Temperature of Solid CO2 ("dry ice"): -78.2° C or 108.4 below 0 F
• Common Uses of CO2:
Refrigeration (dry ice)
Fire fighting, fire extinguishers
Carbonated beverages
• CO2 in the Atmosphere: The Earth's atmosphere is about 360 ppm (parts per million) carbon dioxide gas. This concentration is an increase from 315 ppm in 1960.
• CO2 Production: You produce 1/2 lb (pound) of carbon dioxide when you watch television for an hour.
• Geometry: The CO2 molecule has a linear shape. This means that the atoms in carbon dioxide are arranged like the picture below. The Black circle represents one atom of carbon and the two Red circles represent oxygen atoms.
• One Pound: One pound of carbon dioxide gas has the volume of 8.2 cubic feet. You could store two pounds of carbon dioxide in the average kitchen refrigerator.

read the rest here

April Issue of The Golf Course Trades

The April Issue of The Golf Course Trades is up for viewing. Company Spotlights focus on Irrometer Company Inc writing about the "The efficient and beneficial use of water for golf course irrigation" and by Markers Inc where quality products at reasonable prices continues to be their hallmark.

The article for April was written by Ed Underhill from Underhill International the subject of the article is "Seven Steps for Saving Water" very interesting article hope you enjoy.

In our new feature section called Blogroll Michael Vogt, CGCS from the McMahon Group writes about Private Club Vitality and what you can do to help save your club.

Local golf: Grey Oaks on forefront of figuring out when to feed hungry fairways

NAPLES — The room could double as a lunch area, complete with the paper plates.

But what’s on them isn’t to be consumed, at least not by people. Dr. John S. Shenk and his son John hand off about a dozen paper plates — each covered with a square of grass — to one another and move what would look like an old-time corded electric razor over the top of it.

What in the heck are they doing? The end result will be helping golf courses go green — and save some greenbacks while they’re at it.

Rest of the article

Grass Is Greener at Southern Hills for New Superintendent

New Superintendent named to replace Russ Meyers At Southern Hills.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — At most golf courses, the superintendent might be instructed to “keep it nice.”

At Southern Hills Country Club, the mission statement might be to “keep it perfect.”

Last week, Kris Davis began work as the new superintendent at Southern Hills. He is a 34-year-old graduate of Ohio State, the alma mater of Jack Nicklaus.

Before arriving in Tulsa, Davis was a caretaker of Nicklaus-designed courses in New Albany, Ohio; Georgetown, Tex.; and San Antonio (the Clubs of Cordillera Ranch, where he served as head superintendent from 2005 until last month).

Southern Hills has hosted seven professional major championships and could be in line for another United States Open, perhaps in 2021. Russ Myers, the Southern Hills superintendent for the 2007 P.G.A. Championship and last year’s United States Amateur, recently accepted the position as superintendent at Los Angeles Country Club.

Read the rest here

March is here!

March is here spring is right around the corner. We have just finished our April issue and are ready to take on May which is our Structures issue.

A new feature in the April issue we will be running from time to time is the BlogRoll. A section dedicated to what Superintendents, or industry experts write in your blogs. If you would like something featured send me an email and we will put it in out next available issue.

The only requirements for the BlogRoll is it has to be relevant and fairly current. You don't have to write anything new we just use what is in your blog. Our first candidate for our new section is Mike Vogt from the McMahon Group he writes about "Private Club Vitality" and how to keep your club afloat during these trying times.

Visit Mikes blog here lots of good information.

The article this month is by Ed Underhill president of Underhill International titled
"From Sensors to Solid Metal Nozzles: Seven Steps to Saving Water on Golf Courses" very informative article about saving water on your golf course.

All this and more will be mailed out to you on or about the 12th of March. I will put our digital version up right after it prints and will have a link to it here also when it is ready.