Golfdom, March 2018

Starter NEWS NOTES AND QUOTES NEWS TES A crew of USGA officials survey a green during the 2016 U S Open at Oakmont Greens construction has evolved over the last 14 years To keep up with the evolution of greens the United States Golf Association has unveiled an update to the USGA Recommendations for a Method of Putting Green Construction Over the past year a team of scientists laboratory technicians golf course builders USGA agronomists and yes superintendents have worked together to revise the publication The team met regularly and the process included trips to research facilities testing labs and green construction projects While the new version is not drastically different from the previous edition released in 2004 it features recommendations based on updates to technology as well as video and multimedia resources Some of the updates include the decision to make the Micro Deval abrasion test ASTM D6928 the preferred method to evaluate the mechanical stability of gravel sorry L A Abrasion test an expanded discussion on selecting gravel an enhanced explanation of the water holding characteristics of a root zone recommending perimeter drains be located at all low points along the perimeter of a putting green cavity and not just the lowest point and expanded information on using various organic amendments To read more about the update visit USGA org In the next issue of Golfdom Research Editor Clark Throssell Ph D sits down with Brian Whitlark of the USGA to discuss the new updates 8 Golfdom March 2018 Golfdom com PHOTO BY SETH JONES ISTOCK COM WELLGLAD FIELD TRIP GCSAA NOW ON THE FIRST TEE GREEN The First Green Foundation and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America GCSAA have signed a memorandum of understanding that will bring First Green under the umbrella of GCSAAs philanthropic organization the Environmental Institute for Golf EIFG First Green an education outreach program using golf courses as hands on environmental learning labs has worked with superintendents for more than 20 years First Green and GCSAA representatives have collaborated to support golf courses train superintendents conduct field trips and offer instruction at GCSAAs affiliated chapters We are excited to find a home with GCSAA since we share similar missions and goals to promote the environmental benefits of golf courses says Karen Armstead Ph D First Green executive director GCSAA has 99 chapters in North America and members in 78 countries Its partnership with First Green will add to the 15000 plus students the program has affected in the last two decades 100 YEARS IN CEDAR FALLS STANDARD GOLF CO NOW EMPLOYEE OWNED Standard Golf Co a manufacturer and global marketer of golf course accessories has announced the successful transfer of 100 percent ownership of the company to its employees via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ESOP An ESOP provided the ability to transition leadership of the company over time and reward the team that helped the company become successful This decision to form an Employee Stock Ownership Plan was a long and well thought out one Standard Golf Co President Peter Voorhees said in a statement The primary reason I made the decision to sell to an ESOP rather than a third party was the desire to keep a business that my family founded and has been a part of for over 100 years in Cedar Falls L A ABRASION TEST IS SO 2004 USGA UPDATES A CLASSIC