This is a great find here thanks Paul!
EAGLE CAM-Get a rare look inside a bald eagle nest in the wild
This has got to be one of the cooler things I have seen on the web in a while. The Norfolk Botanical Garden has installed a live feed camera on a bald eagle nest to observe all the stages of the fledgling process.
The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Golf Course Maintenance
March 24, 2011
A Perfect Visual of Why We Strive for Bentgrass
On numerous occasions I have written on this blog explaining the many reasons we strive for predominantly bentgrass playing surfaces. Yesterday I happened upon the photos shown below. These are photos of a green that is made up of probably 90% Poa annua.
The superintendent at the course did everything right in helping these greens to make it through the winter in great condition. During the winter they experience a warm up (50's) followed by an immediate drop in temperature to well below freezing. The Poa flat out could not take it and it died. What is so strong about these photos is the contrast between the dead Poa and the completely healthy bentgrass. Both plants experienced the very same conditions, one died, one goes on as if nothing happened. This is why we favor and manage for bentgrass.
Northland Country Club Turfgrass Management
The superintendent at the course did everything right in helping these greens to make it through the winter in great condition. During the winter they experience a warm up (50's) followed by an immediate drop in temperature to well below freezing. The Poa flat out could not take it and it died. What is so strong about these photos is the contrast between the dead Poa and the completely healthy bentgrass. Both plants experienced the very same conditions, one died, one goes on as if nothing happened. This is why we favor and manage for bentgrass.
Northland Country Club Turfgrass Management
Strobes for Geese
We recently placed strobe lights in both ponds – the entrance pond and the pond bordering the 12th hole – to discourage geese from nesting along the shores and raising their young in the surrounding areas. The solar powered yellow strobes are anchored in the ponds and automatically activate in darkness (evening through sunrise). The blinking yellow light is very disturbing to the geese that overnight in ponds or along the banks, encouraging them to move on and take up residence else where.During the day, we chase the geese using other methods. Some of these are running Apollo (Joel’s dog) and Rocky (Heather’s dog) and scaring off any geese that might land. We are also using radio controlled boats to chase the geese off the waters where the dogs can’t go, or can’t swim fast enough to get close. A lead goose will break off the main flock and “tease” the dog away by swimming just out of reach and away from the flock, eventually tiring the dog. The geese aren’t so clever with a boat....the boat can get up to 30mph and so this teasing doesn’t work.
Our goal is not to hurt the geese...but just to give them reason to move on. Besides their droppings (up to 3lbs per day per goose) that make a mess, the geese will eat turf down to its crowns, thinning and killing turf areas. By moving them on, they will find other, and hopefully, more natural breeding areas. That’s best for all of us.
The Greate Bay Country Club Greens Department
January 21, 2011
Ohio designates a turfgrass week
The last week in May will celebrate and increase awareness of the industry.
The state of Ohio has officially designated an “Ohio Turfgrass Week,” in order to increase awareness of the turfgrass industry and the importance of turfgrass to the state’s economy and environment.
The Ohio Revised Code 5.2239 says, “The General Assembly finds that the turfgrass industry in this state employs thousands of people and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The General Assembly also finds that turfgrass acts as an environmental filter absorbing pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide and prevents soil erosion.
The idea was initiated in early 2005 and a bill was signed on Dec. 23, 2010 by now former Gov. Ted Strickland just before he left office.
During the last week in May, the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and other industry groups will promote the benefits of turfgrass, as well as the industry.
Source: www.lawnandlandscape.com
The state of Ohio has officially designated an “Ohio Turfgrass Week,” in order to increase awareness of the turfgrass industry and the importance of turfgrass to the state’s economy and environment.
The Ohio Revised Code 5.2239 says, “The General Assembly finds that the turfgrass industry in this state employs thousands of people and generates billions of dollars in revenue each year. The General Assembly also finds that turfgrass acts as an environmental filter absorbing pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide and prevents soil erosion.
The idea was initiated in early 2005 and a bill was signed on Dec. 23, 2010 by now former Gov. Ted Strickland just before he left office.
During the last week in May, the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation and other industry groups will promote the benefits of turfgrass, as well as the industry.
Source: www.lawnandlandscape.com
Increasing Demands Bring Advancements in Oil Filtration
Undeniably, the best filter of all is the invisible filter. This is the filter that doesn’t have to be purchased, doesn’t have to be installed, doesn’t have to be changed and doesn’t have to be monitored. This is the filter that gets the oil clean simply by a change in human conduct and behavior. It’s the countless little actions by people who work with lubricants and machinery that prevent oil from becoming dirty in the first place. These are the things that humans do to expose oil to contamination (knowingly or unknowingly).
The invisible filter is the conspicuous awareness that cleanliness is virtuous toward achieving machine reliability and that every critical machine has an assigned cleanliness target and is monitored religiously.
Awareness and measurement bring about human behavioral change. Be cleanliness wise and cleanliness conscious.
Read the rest of the article
here.
January 19, 2011
‘Grass whisperer’ engineers Willow Springs rebound
The fairways had more weeds than turf, the greens had recently been resodded after a worker killed the grass with a heavy application of pesticide, and an outmoded irrigation system had produced more bare spots than bermuda.
"Of all of them, it was in the worst situation," Fryrear said of the ACGT courses. "That one had dropped down a notch or two."
Enter Brian Woolard, 38, who only a few months earlier had been hired to oversee Mission Del Lago.
"I kind of left it to Brian to get it all working," Fryrear said.
Just more than a year later, Woolard's remarkable efforts at Willow Springs earned him recognition as superintendent of the year by the Central Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association.
"It just needed some tender loving care and some direction," said Woolard, an Alvarado native who didn't pursue a career in the golf industry until he discovered the superintendent degree program at Texas State Technical College in Waco. "I wasn't involved with what was going on previously. I just knew I could turn it around."
He did so by applying experience learned in more than a dozen years serving as an assistant on various properties statewide and what others around him term an extraordinary knack for identifying and treating trouble spots on the course.
Woolard, a golfer while at Alvarado High School southeast of Fort Worth, does so despite suffering from a form of cerebral palsy that has cost him some motor function on the left side of his body.
"It doesn't affect my brain," he said. "I do things. I just can't do it as fast as some."
Fryrear dismisses that claim. "I haven't noticed any lack of speed," he said. "Our experience with Brian is he gets it done faster than anybody else. That's just him being modest."
Indeed, that disability hasn't appeared to slow what Woolard terms a "passion" for keeping his golf course in top shape for players. He arrived in San Antonio in January 2009 after five years as an assistant superintendent at exclusive Brae Burn Country Club in Houston.
After the short stint at Mission Del Lago, he was transferred to Willow Springs, located across from the AT&T Center, and found a 250-acre tract that was a stark contrast to Brae Burn's meticulously manicured landscape.
Woolard went to work, supervising the manual operation of balky irrigation heads around the 7,221-yard course. He eliminated the weed problem with aggressive treatments; successfully treated turf damaged by the heavy salt content from effluent water; added gypsum, nitrogen and other nutrients to trouble areas, and oversaw aerification of greens as needed.
"Brian's experience let us go to hyper-speed mode," Fryrear said.
"He's an extremely talented superintendent who took ownership at Willow Springs," said Jim Roschek, president and CEO of ACGT. "As an operator, I couldn't ask for more."
Healthy rains over much of the past year buoyed Woolard's efforts, as did his growing reputation as a sort of "grass whisperer." Today, even as he battles the same irrigation system issues and mercurial weather, Willow Springs' rebound ranks as the most impressive in the city.
"I see disease before anybody else does," Woolard said. "I guess it's one of those things that just came to me. I just watch, and I'm very observant. Some people give me too much credit sometimes.
"I just do what I do and know what I know. It's hard to explain."
BRIAN WOOLARD
Age: 38
Job: Head superintendent, Willow Springs Golf Course
Education: Golf course superintendent program, Texas State Technical College (Waco)
Professional: Worked seven years at various properties for American Golf ... Served at Brae Burn Country Club in Houston from 2005-09 ... Superintendent for Mission Del Lago from January-September 2009 ... Hired as superintendent at Willow Springs in fall 2009.
Award: 2010 Superintendent of the Year, Central Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association
Source
What is Driving Recent Increases in Fertilizer Prices?
Bruce Erickson, Purdue Agricultural Economics
Fertilizer prices are on the upswing again, buoyed by the high prices of agricultural products that have stimulated increased demand. While the general U.S. economy struggles to recover from the financial crisis of 2008, the demand for agricultural products continues in a strong position due to favorable exchange rates, grain usage for biofuels, production concerns related to recent unfavorable weather in key crop growing regions, and a host of other factors. Higher fertilizer prices have put heavy users such as farmers, lawn care companies, and golf course superintendents on the defensive trying to best manage the input costs of their businesses. The following explains some factors that influence fertilizer prices and possible strategies in dealing with high and fluctuating prices.
Prices Influenced by World Markets and Energy Fertilizer prices reached record levels in 2008 just prior to the financial crisis, with the prices of some key fertilizer materials such as anhydrous ammonia and diammonium phosphate exceeding $1000 per ton. Prices retreated in 2009 and 2010, but began increasing again last fall. The price of urea is approximately twice what it was a decade ago (see figure). In the 1980s the United States was a significant nitrogen exporter--now more than 57 percent of nitrogen used in the U.S. is imported (2008 data). Most commercial nitrogen fertilizers originate from a process that uses natural gas to convert the nitrogen gas in the air into a form usable by crops. Natural gas prices in other parts of the world are a fraction of what they are in the United States, so it is often more economical to produce there even considering transportation costs. Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Russia, and the Middle East are major suppliers to the U.S.
Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) fertilizer sources such as DAP (Diammonium phosphate, 18-46-0) and muriate of potash (0-0-60) originate mostly from open or underground mines, with the bulk of production controlled by a handful of companies. The U.S. is the world’s leading supplier/exporter of phosphorus fertilizers, but imports most of its potassium from Canada. Investments in fertilizer mining and manufacturing are often long-term commitments and companies often lack the ability to adjust quickly to short-term market conditions.
Fertilizer Pricing is Complex Fertilizer is not traded on a common exchange like stocks, currencies, or grains, so it can be much more difficult to get a read on prices. In addition, fertilizers are heavy, bulky commodities and their transport involves expense, time, and logistical constraints. Many customers also depend on their suppliers for fertilizer storage and specialized application equipment. So the market is not as fluid as many other inputs—users aren’t as likely to shop around and then just go pick up what they need as they might for chemicals or seeds.
Dealing With High Fertilizer Prices Using the correct form and amount of fertilizer to achieve the desired plant response maximizes efficient input use and keeping costs in check. Fertilizer suppliers may be willing to enter into contractual arrangements with their larger customers that specify a future quantity and price, to help them manage their own price risk as well as that of their customers. In addition, some larger fertilizer users have also built their own bulk storage facilities that allow them to capitalize on seasonal price advantages or other price trends.
For More Information
Illinois Production Costs Report, Illinois Department of Agriculture: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/gx_gr210.txt
Agricultural Prices, United States Department of Agriculture: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1002
Factors Shaping Price and Availability of This Year’s Fertilizer Market, 2008, Purdue Agricultural Economics: http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/news/financial/Fertilizer_Market.pdf
Fertilizer prices are on the upswing again, buoyed by the high prices of agricultural products that have stimulated increased demand. While the general U.S. economy struggles to recover from the financial crisis of 2008, the demand for agricultural products continues in a strong position due to favorable exchange rates, grain usage for biofuels, production concerns related to recent unfavorable weather in key crop growing regions, and a host of other factors. Higher fertilizer prices have put heavy users such as farmers, lawn care companies, and golf course superintendents on the defensive trying to best manage the input costs of their businesses. The following explains some factors that influence fertilizer prices and possible strategies in dealing with high and fluctuating prices. Prices Influenced by World Markets and Energy Fertilizer prices reached record levels in 2008 just prior to the financial crisis, with the prices of some key fertilizer materials such as anhydrous ammonia and diammonium phosphate exceeding $1000 per ton. Prices retreated in 2009 and 2010, but began increasing again last fall. The price of urea is approximately twice what it was a decade ago (see figure). In the 1980s the United States was a significant nitrogen exporter--now more than 57 percent of nitrogen used in the U.S. is imported (2008 data). Most commercial nitrogen fertilizers originate from a process that uses natural gas to convert the nitrogen gas in the air into a form usable by crops. Natural gas prices in other parts of the world are a fraction of what they are in the United States, so it is often more economical to produce there even considering transportation costs. Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Russia, and the Middle East are major suppliers to the U.S.
Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K) fertilizer sources such as DAP (Diammonium phosphate, 18-46-0) and muriate of potash (0-0-60) originate mostly from open or underground mines, with the bulk of production controlled by a handful of companies. The U.S. is the world’s leading supplier/exporter of phosphorus fertilizers, but imports most of its potassium from Canada. Investments in fertilizer mining and manufacturing are often long-term commitments and companies often lack the ability to adjust quickly to short-term market conditions.
Fertilizer Pricing is Complex Fertilizer is not traded on a common exchange like stocks, currencies, or grains, so it can be much more difficult to get a read on prices. In addition, fertilizers are heavy, bulky commodities and their transport involves expense, time, and logistical constraints. Many customers also depend on their suppliers for fertilizer storage and specialized application equipment. So the market is not as fluid as many other inputs—users aren’t as likely to shop around and then just go pick up what they need as they might for chemicals or seeds.
Dealing With High Fertilizer Prices Using the correct form and amount of fertilizer to achieve the desired plant response maximizes efficient input use and keeping costs in check. Fertilizer suppliers may be willing to enter into contractual arrangements with their larger customers that specify a future quantity and price, to help them manage their own price risk as well as that of their customers. In addition, some larger fertilizer users have also built their own bulk storage facilities that allow them to capitalize on seasonal price advantages or other price trends.
For More Information
Illinois Production Costs Report, Illinois Department of Agriculture: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/gx_gr210.txt
Agricultural Prices, United States Department of Agriculture: http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1002
Factors Shaping Price and Availability of This Year’s Fertilizer Market, 2008, Purdue Agricultural Economics: http://www.agecon.purdue.edu/news/financial/Fertilizer_Market.pdf
January 14, 2011
Golf Course Trades February Issue
The article this month is written by Paul L. Carter CGCS from The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay Harrison Tennessee. The article is entitled Promoting the industry and yourself. Paul and his golf course have been awarded the Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary as designated by Audubon International and the first site in Tennessee to be designated as a Groundwater Guardian Green Site by The Groundwater Foundation.
From the article "Our environmental stewardship programs, such as our work with Audubon International and The Groundwater Foundation, has led to The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay being awarded several environmental awards, both regionally and nationally, over the past years. We were very fortunate to be awarded the 2009 Governors’ Environmental Stewardship Award from the State of Tennessee, becoming the first golf course in the award’s 24 year history to win the award. We were also fortunate to be awarded a Chapter Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Environmental Leaders in Golf awards program the same year. These awards have been a great “jumping off point” to continue to tell the public of our programs. We use press releases and interviews to inform the public of what we have accomplished and what we are planning next."
Great job Paul keep up the good work!
Contact Paul L. Carter CGCS about this article at this email paul.carter@tn.gov.
Also you can visit his blog at www.bthbgcm.blogspot.com
Make sure you click on the cover above to see the entire magazine!
This months Company Spotlight is for Cross Country Cowboy, Inc. From their web site: Cross Country Cowboy, Inc. has spent many years doing extensive research on barrier netting, compiling data to set the standard for many firsts in this unique industry. With our exclusive cross brace design, Patent #5,732,935, comes a wind protection mechanism on a golf barrier netting installation. This cross brace cable system has a 4’chain link mesh along the bottom, working in conjunction with the design. The chain link is installed pole to pole with cable lines, no posts needed. It looks professional and stops balls from rolling under the net and prevents the ground crew from cutting the net with ball pickers, lawn mowers, weed whackers, etc.
Our 1st quality, detailed work gives you the best golf range netting installation nationwide —Guaranteed! We are a full service experienced company with commitment to customer service. Cross Country Cowboy, Inc., was established in 1981 in the construction field. By 1990, all our energy and time went into golf range netting, perfecting our design and in 1998 finalizing our patent. For almost 2 decades, our dedication to integrity, perfection, and quality have come full-circle. We do not use sub-contractors; we have our own equipment, staff, and field crews.
So whether you are looking for fairway or driving range net, litter control, baseball or soccer netting, baseball or golf cages, we are the company for you. Our turnkey installations offer “you” peace of mind, because our system has proven to withstand wind loads where others fail.
Contact Info:
Cross Country Cowboy, Inc.
233 13th Street
Hammonton, NJ 08037
Phone: 609-561-0830
Fax: 609-567-9555
Email: crosscountrycowboy@comcast.net
Sam Diamond, President
Lucrecia Codario, VP
January 13, 2011
IGCEMA Announces 2011 Virtual Trade Show
Today the International Golf Course Equipment Managers Association (IGCEMA) would like to announce the official opening of registration for our 2011 Virtual Trade Show (VTS) that will take place on March 23 -25th.
IGCEMA CEO Stephen Tucker stated, “We are excited this year to be hosting our second Virtual Trade Show. This year we have partnered with the GCSAA to not only help us with the marketing of the trade show but also we wanted to offer this tool for their membership as well. It is important with the current economy that we all make every effort to work together as a team and I believe this is a great opportunity for both of us to do just that. I am very excited to see where this year’s VTS takes us in terms of innovative new ideas, I think it’s exciting!”
The virtual trade show is a three-day, live, online event for suppliers, dealers and customers to gather for meaningful business development and relationship building. It provides rich communication tools to foster an online meeting place where suppliers and their customers can meet, learn and make buying decisions. Virtual trade show booths allow attendees to browse product information, conduct meetings and engage in discussions with suppliers via e-mail and chat tools.
The first golf industry Virtual Trade Show was put on last year by the IGCEMA and brought support from many major manufacturers such as Toro, John Deere Golf and Jacobsen. This year, both Toro and John Deere Golf, have signed on in support of the event as official sponsors for the second year in a row. With the ability to reach a world-wide audience all in one place, without having to travel many say this is the future. If you are looking for education, renewing an equipment lease, or just want to see what’s new and exciting then register today. www.virtualgolfshow.com
About IGCEMA
IGCEMA is a worldwide association for golf course technicians. An equipment technician is an integral part of the success of a golf management team, and is responsible for all the equipment used to maintain the golf course on a daily basis. Formed in 2006 to expand recognition and respect for golf course equipment managers, IGCEMA provides professionalism, standards, education, and achievement for its members.
IGCEMA CEO Stephen Tucker stated, “We are excited this year to be hosting our second Virtual Trade Show. This year we have partnered with the GCSAA to not only help us with the marketing of the trade show but also we wanted to offer this tool for their membership as well. It is important with the current economy that we all make every effort to work together as a team and I believe this is a great opportunity for both of us to do just that. I am very excited to see where this year’s VTS takes us in terms of innovative new ideas, I think it’s exciting!”
The virtual trade show is a three-day, live, online event for suppliers, dealers and customers to gather for meaningful business development and relationship building. It provides rich communication tools to foster an online meeting place where suppliers and their customers can meet, learn and make buying decisions. Virtual trade show booths allow attendees to browse product information, conduct meetings and engage in discussions with suppliers via e-mail and chat tools.
The first golf industry Virtual Trade Show was put on last year by the IGCEMA and brought support from many major manufacturers such as Toro, John Deere Golf and Jacobsen. This year, both Toro and John Deere Golf, have signed on in support of the event as official sponsors for the second year in a row. With the ability to reach a world-wide audience all in one place, without having to travel many say this is the future. If you are looking for education, renewing an equipment lease, or just want to see what’s new and exciting then register today. www.virtualgolfshow.com
About IGCEMA
IGCEMA is a worldwide association for golf course technicians. An equipment technician is an integral part of the success of a golf management team, and is responsible for all the equipment used to maintain the golf course on a daily basis. Formed in 2006 to expand recognition and respect for golf course equipment managers, IGCEMA provides professionalism, standards, education, and achievement for its members.
PGMS Announces Certified Grounds Technician (CGT) Accreditation Points System
The Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS) has expanded the continuing education requirement for its Certified Grounds Technician (CGT) professional designation program. Effective Jan. 1, 2011, all certified CGTs will need to obtain 35 Continuing Education Units every five years.
“Maintaining certification through continuing education, be it academic instruction, technical classes or other education opportunities, will help build skills essential in personal professional development,” said PGMS Vice President John Van Etten, CGM.
Upon recertifying, CGTs will need to submit proof of attendance in the following accreditation categories: classes taken (that pertain to grounds, business, management, horticultural or technical); teaching or writing an article for the PGMS newsletter the Grounds Management Forum or any other professional trade magazine tying PGMS into the story; involvement with the society; attendance at the School of Grounds Management & GIE+EXPO, a PGMS Regional Seminar and Site Visitation and/or PGMS branch meetings and; certifications such as the Pesticide License or First Aid Certificate.
The CGT program is for grounds professionals who are directly involved with performing the day-to-day tasks of grounds maintenance. To become a CGT, an applicant must pass the CGT test that consists of 60 questions based on the overall grounds maintenance field and 10 questions based on the applicant’s region. For more information on the CGT process visit www.pgms.org/cgtcertification.htm.
PGMS also offers a Certified Grounds Manager (CGM) program, a more advanced certification aimed at already established grounds managers in the industry. Those achieving the CGM designation must have first accomplished a set level of education and on-the-job experience and then successfully completed a two-part examination process administered by PGMS. For more information on the CGM process visit www.pgms.org/cgmcertification.htm.
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