Research Open for business
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With the recent closure of Redlands, the University of Sydney’s research plots at Cobbity are the only independent research facility in the eastern states. Dr Jim Hull provides an overview of the facility and its desire to remain an important asset for the industry into the future.
Resisting drought
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University of Queensland researcher Dr Chris Lambrides provides a follow-up from last edition’s research article which looked at the four year EcoTurf project that has helped to identify water and nutrient use efficient couchgrasses from exhaustive collections made across Australia.
Also in this edition… Foreword Thinking Regional Profile Rowes Bay Golf Club, QLD News Around the Trade Turf Producers State Reports
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Contributors to Australian Turfgrass Management Journal Volume 16.1 (January-February 2014) Brendan Allen (NZGCSA); Martyn Black (Castle Hill CC); Jason Bushell (Rowes Bay GC); Lincoln Coombes (RACV Royal Pines); Richard Forsyth (Royal Melbourne GC); Peter Frewin (AGCSA); Alan Greatorex (Chirnside Park CC); Tony Guy (STA WA); Martyn Hedley (STA QLD); Steve Hewitt (VGCSA); Belinda Hill (Perception PR); Danny Hull (STA ACT); Dr Jim Hull (University of Sydney); Steve Jacobsen (NSWGCSA); Mark Johnson (TGCSA); Richard Kirkby (Pennant Hills GC); Dr Chris Lambrides (University of Queensland); Gary Lisbon (www.golfphotos.com.au); Peter Lonergan (GCSAQ); Brendan Lowe (Rowes Bay GC); John Mann (Royal Melbourne GC); Steve Marsden (Royal Sydney GC); Graham Marsh (GMGD); Ian McKendry (STANZ); John Neylan (Neyturf); Andrew Peart (AGCSATech); Richard Stephens (Turf Australia); Paul Thomas (Royal Melbourne GC); Nathan Tovey (STA VIC); USGA.
Re-enter at your own risk
T
he focus on chemical use by turf industry practitioners has never been more pronounced. Recent events within the industry combined with an increased public awareness of environmental matters and reduced tolerance towards breaches, has cast a greater spotlight on chemical best practice management, with superintendents and turf managers at the forefront of this scrutiny. At Pennant Hills Golf Club in Sydney, however, this scrutiny has reached a point where routine maintenance operations are being impacted. Over the last six months application timing has been compromised by members to the extent that it is starting to jeopardise the quality and condition of the very turf surfaces they pay to play on each year. According to long-serving course superintendent and AGCSA member Richard Kirkby, over the past five years the club has, as is common industry practice, displayed warning signs on the 1st and 10th tees stating that spraying was taking place on the course with the date, area treated and type of chemical being applied. Material safety data sheets (MSDS), which provide information such as the properties of the chemical and safe handling procedures, are also displayed in the Pro Shop for members to read, a decision that was implemented by a previous Board. More recently the club has elected to post the chemical label on the club website 24 hours prior to application for those members who want to know more about the products that are being applied and their associated re-entry restrictions. The majority of turf labels state that you cannot re-enter until the product is dry on the leaf and where the label states that the product has to be washed in, the quantity of water needed is often significant. Kirkby estimates this effects to some extent 80 per cent of all products applied to his course. Sensitivity to spraying, re-entry periods and washing in products has reached the point where Kirkby now restricts spraying largely to men’s days (Wednesdays and Fridays) and corporate golf days (Tuesdays). Despite having a very thorough preventative spray programme in place, the pressures being placed upon Kirkby’s operations mean there have been instances when the playing surfaces have been affected. For example, in early December some dollar spot flared up over a weekend. Unable to spray on the Monday due to a ladies competition followed immediately by a shotgun start for the men, Kirkby couldn’t treat the affected area until Tuesday morning by which stage the disease had worsened. Unable to effectively balance operational and maintenance requirements, Kirkby has even gone to the extent of putting in a proposal to the Course and Playing Committee to reschedule start times on ladies days (Mondays and Thursdays) by an hour (7am-8am) and restrict play to just a one tee start. He has also requested no corporate golf play before 12 noon on Tuesdays. Pennant Hills is by no means alone and other clubs in Sydney are starting to experience similar issues. As a result of this developing situation, a working group has been set up in conjunction with the NSWGCSA and AGCSA Gold Partner Syngenta to try and lobby the APVMA to re-word some of the labels regarding re-entry periods and the amount of irrigation required to wash products off the leaf. The AGCSA and ATM will keep abreast of these negotiations and inform the industry of any developments. In this first edition of 2014 we take a look back at last November’s stretch of major tournaments and the pivotal role that the superintendents and crews at RACV Royal Pines, Royal Melbourne and Royal Sydney played. Congratulations to all. Enjoy the read.
Turf Tools Driving Range Golf Course Hardware On Course & Tee Signage
Brett Robinson, Editor
PLACE YOUR ORDER ONLINE www.davidgolf.com.au
January-February 2014
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