Improving Plant Health and Reducing Inputs Superintendent Success Stories 17th Hole at Legacy Ridge. Photo provided by superintendent Marc Brooks.
overlooking part of Georgian Bay. From the outset, his goal was to provide the best possible environmental conditions for plant health, encouraging resilient turf that is better equipped to handle ne of the things I enjoy the most about our profession is the environmental extremes and stresses associated with heavy traffic. camaraderie shared between fellow superintendents. Turfgrass When asked about some of the management practices he has professionals are happy to share their stories of failure and success, implemented to reduce inputs, here is what he had to say, “My goal if their experiences can help others in the business succeed. With for the primary playing surfaces is to cater to the cultural programs the growing trend of reducing chemical that promote creeping bent grass. I have inputs on golf courses gaining traction pruned and removed trees to improve air in many circles, more and more golf flow and increase exposure to morning course superintendents are placing a sunlight. We have installed supplemental Removing and reducing abiotic higher emphasis on improving plant drainage on every golf hole throughout health to better withstand the onslaught stress can have a dramatic the property, literally miles of pipe.” of biotic and abiotic stresses. The Marc instituted topdressing programs for superintendents profiled in this article impact on plant health and fairway, tee, and green surfaces. “2 inches share some of the techniques they have of USGA spec sand have been added to improve the plant’s natural ability used to improve growing conditions and the surface of our push up greens. I have increase plant health at their properties. been using a locally sourced brick sand to handle biotic stresses. They have found considerable reductions on tees and fairways with great success. in the resources required to provide their We are seeing tremendous benefits from members and guests with quality playing these topdressing programs – firmer conditions. surfaces, healthier more resilient plants that are better able to handle traffic and environmental stresses.” Legacy Ridge Golf Club – Superintendent, His team drag dew daily and roll fairways during the months of July and August to reduce the amount of dollar spot pressure. Irrigation Marc Brooks As he enters his 10th season as superintendent at Legacy Ridge requirements are carefully monitored to ensure the plant does not Golf Club, Marc explains that his focus on improving growing become too stressed during the summer months. Over the past conditions began the day he started at the 100-year-old Stanley ten seasons, Marc has been able to reduce his chemical and fertility Thompson layout which sits on the west side of Owen Sound inputs by just over 50%. He sums up his approach to reducing By Mike Pellerin, Superintendent, Saugeen Golf Club, OGSA director.
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JUNE 2021 | ONCourse 13
