Golfdom, October 2011

control Sweet would like to gain approval for a residual control product for worms Nematodes also pose a problem for Sweet who says he has gone so far as to remove soil and replace it with high quality topsoil to abolish his nematode problem Solid tine aerification and topdressing with topsoil into nematode affected areas also has worked pretty well Sweet says Although he admits We dont have a good solution for nematodes at this time Overblown argument The effort that Sweet has to go through to overcome pests may be a special case but Greg Lyman GCSAAs director of environmental programs says fundamentally superintendents are careful with pesticides The position that pesticides are overused or misused Its overblown he says Pesticides are part of the control process but superintendents are well versed in the use of many other techniques to grow a healthy turf plant Theres also a financial reason to be smart with pesticides The products are expensive Lyman says It doesnt make sense to use them illogically John Walsh ClOsing argument TIMES ARE TOUGH Some industries that lack the environmental foundations that exist within the golf industry may feel it necessary to ignore environmental responsibilities and cut parts of the business without evaluating the total impact of those cuts or seeking other options Not golf There is no room for thoughtless cuts and a lack of planning or vision in the successful golf course operation Golf is a business But its a business deeply tied to land Protecting the land and therefore the environment is the first objective of a golf operation When times are tough financially and cuts are mandated golf courses make decisions based on property specific data gathered from their programs ensuring that the operation protects its natural resources but sustains itself with financial prudence Its the cornerstone of achieving true sustainability within a golf operation or any business for that matter Golf is connected to the ecosystem that the course is built upon and the temptation to damage the larger asset to gain a short term profit is just that a temptation The golf course superintendent sees the larger green picture A superintendent knows the links between ecomonic strength and environmental responsibility With years of experience property knowledge and ongoing case studies golf course operations are able to be financially responsive without harming the environment The evidence clearly points to the exceptional environmental stewardship that exists on golf courses Plants and wildlife are flourishing with expanded nest box and naturalization programs Everyone benefits from the cleaner air and water generated by these profitable green businesses otherwise known as golf courses Now is the time to validate and vindicate the golf industry and its environmental story So let go of your preconceived notions of golf courses and their effect on the environment Open your mind to the new age of golf course maintenance Visit a course and take a close look Im willing to bet youll like what you see And wed be honored if youd give us that chance w w w g o l f d om c om Golfdom 25 No 12 at Sanctuary Golf Club