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Turf Season is Back in High Gear
Dear TCNC Members,
As spring hits its stride and the turf season kicks into high gear, there’s nothing quite like the sight (and smell) of fresh sod going down. Whether it’s rolled out on a sports field, installed in a new backyard, or used to bring a public space back to life, sod represents the kind of craftsmanship and quick transformation that makes our industry stand out.
One piece of recent North Carolina news drives that point home in a big way: natural grass is making its return to Kenan Memorial Stadium. After nearly 30 years of synthetic turf, the Tar Heels will take the field this fall on a newly installed sod surface. For those of us who work with turf for a living, it’s a great reminder of how natural grass continues to earn its place—not just for performance, but for sustainability, aesthetics, and long-term playability. It’s also a great showcase of the kind of work many of you do day in and day out.
In this May/June edition of North Carolina Turfgrass Magazine, we’re digging into the business and science behind sod. First up, we’re wrapping up our Regional Ambassador Spotlight series by introducing Dr. Joseph DiPaola, who represents the Piedmont Triad region. Also in this issue, you’ll find a business-focused article that’s relevant to anyone running a turf-related company: The Business Behind the Green. Pricing can be one of the toughest parts of running a business, and this article breaks down practical ways to protect your margins while staying competitive.
And be sure to check out this month’s Student Research Corner, where NC State’s rising turf talent shares insight into the latest research shaping our field. These students represent the future of turf in North Carolina, and it’s exciting to see their energy and ideas in action.
As you head into the busiest stretch of the season, I hope you’ll take a moment to appreciate the role you play. Our work may start with soil and sod, but it leads to lasting value in our communities—from athletic performance to curb appeal. That’s something to take pride in.
Wishing you a strong and successful season ahead,
Wil Sutton President Turfgrass Council of North Carolina
P.O. Box 641
Wake Forest, NC 27588
984.301.5460
www.turfgrasscouncilnc.org
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Marcy Cottle
info@turfgrasscouncilnc.org 984.301.5460
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TCNC OFFICERS
PRESIDENT
Wilson Sutton
Emerald Golf Club
New Bern, NC
VICE PRESIDENT
Greg Harris
Leap Frog Land Care, Inc. Fuquay-Varina, NC
TREASURER
Jonathan Richardson, NCCTP NCCTP Chairman Green Resource Dunn, NC
PAST PRESIDENT
Kevin Herrmann
Fairway Green Inc. Raleigh, NC
DIRECTORS
Alpha Jones
Fayetteville Woodpeckers
Fayetteville, NC
Spencer Thomas
Keith Hills Country Club
Lillington, NC
Companies wishing to support TCNC with multiple members can join as Deluxe Members. Deluxe Memberships can be purchased in one of three tiers: 1–5 employees; 6–10 employees; or 11+ employees.
If you'd like to learn more about the Deluxe Membership, please contact the TCNC office at 984.301.5460 or info@turfgrasscouncilnc.org.
DELUXE MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
Barefoot Lawn Care and Landscaping Services
Canopy Lawn Care
Carol Woods Retirement Community
Carolina Green Corp
City of Asheville Parks and Recreation
City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation
Duplin Sod
Edison Landscaping
Emerald Green
ETM Coastal
Fairway Green of Charlotte
Fairway Green of Raleigh
Fayetteville Tech
Gates Four Golf and Country Club
Green Resource
JRM Inc.
Keith Hiils Golf Club
Leapfrog Landcare
NaturaLawn of America (Raleigh)
Nature's Select
McConnell Golf
Morehead City
Quality Turf
Sod Solutions
Southern Ag
Southern Garden
Southern Seeds, Inc.
The Biltmore Company
The Sunrock Group
Tillery Country Club
Town of Cary Public Works
Town of Garner
Triangle Chemical Company
Turf Mountain Sod, Inc.
UNC – Chapel Hill
Wake Forest University
Weed Man
Renewal as of March 2025
Don't see your company's name? Renew today at www.turfgrasscouncilnc.org
CROP AND SOIL SCIENCES
Dr. Travis Gannon Assistant Professor 919.515.2647 travis_gannon@ncsu.edu
Emily Erickson Crop Science Lecturer 919.513.2034
emily_erickson@ncsu.edu
Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis Professor & University Faculty Scholar 919.280.3443 susana_milla-lewis@ncsu.edu
Dr. Grady Miller Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5656 grady_miller@ncsu.edu
Dr. Rob Richardson Associate Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5653 rob_richardson@ncsu.edu
Dr. Wei Shi Professor 919.513.4641 wei_shi@ncsu.edu
Dr. Fred Yelverton Professor & Extension Specialist 919.515.5639 fred_yelverton@ncsu.edu
Dr. Qiyu Zhou Assistant Professor 313.782.2892 qzhou9@ncsu.edu
ENTOMOLOGY AND PLANT PATHOLOGY
Dr. Terri Billeisen Extension Associate 919.515.7464 tlhoctor@ncsu.edu
Dr. Rick Brandenburg Extension Leader 919.515.8876 rick_brandenburg@ncsu.edu
Lee Butler NC State Turf Diagnostics Lab 919.513.3878 ebutler@ncsu.edu
Dr. James Kerns Professor and Extension Specialist 919.513.4820 jpkerns@ncsu.edu
HORTICULTURE SCIENCE
Dr. Danesha Seth Carley Director, Southern IPM Center & Associate Professor 919.513.8189 danesha_carley@ncsu.edu
www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/people/
Better Built. Quality Results. Period.
Welcome Calendar NEW MEMBERS OF EVENTS
Joe Barbour
Leapfrog Landcare Cary, NC
Chris Felt
Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Charlotte, NC
Sasa Jovanovic The Sod Agency Raleigh, NC
Korey Kelley Triangle Chemical Company Cary, NC
Kevin Kotek Triangle Chemical Company Cary, NC
Luke Luckadoo Triangle Chemical Company Wilmington, NC
Brandon Mabry Canopy Lawn Care Raleigh, NC
Nick Matyuf
Edison Landscapes Raleigh, NC
Devin McCaffrey Performance
Nutrition Fertilizers Holly Springs, NC
Daniel Pearson
Canopy Lawn Care Raleigh, NC
John Phillips NCSU Raleigh, NC
Clinton Roberts
Affordable Lawn Care By Clint LLC Willow Spring, NC
Thomas Thiessen
Brett-Young Seeds Ltd. Winnipeg, Canada
Parker Veit
Quality Equipment Fuquay-Varina, NC
Sam Wilson
Canopy Lawn Care Raleigh, NC
May 5 – 8, 2025
NCSU Short Course
Lonnie Poole Golf Course (clubhouse classroom) Raleigh, NC
June 11, 2025
Sandhills Turfgrass Field Day & Regional Conference
Sandhills Research Station Jackson Springs, NC
June 17 – 18, 2025
Greensboro Pesticide Safety School
NC Cooperative Extension – Guilford County Center Greensboro, NC
June 24 – 25, 2025
Statesville Pesticide Safety School
NC Cooperative Extension – Iredell County Center Statesville, NC
August 13, 2025
Turfgrass Field Day – Raleigh Raleigh, NC
December 4, 2025
Turf Research Symposium
NCSU Plant Sciences Building Raleigh, NC
Index of Advertisers
2025 PARTNERS
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Become a NC Certified Turfgrass Professional!
TheNorth Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional (NCCTP) program is a comprehensive program developed to enhance the technical competency of turfgrass professionals, while elevating their professional image, that of your business and of the turfgrass management industry. Administered by the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina, the NCCTP designation confirms your expertise in turfgrass management to prospective customers and your peers.
Reasons to Begin Earning Your NCCTP Designation Today
The NCCTP program increases and enhances your turfgrass industry knowledge, career, and business development through a course of study of in-depth coverage of the science of turfgrass management.
The NCCTP designation offers immediate confidence and credibility of turfgrass management practices to customers and prospective employers.
Promote and market yourself as a North Carolina Certified Turfgrass Professional.
• Use the NCCTP logo on your business materials.
• Use NCCTP pins, uniform patches, and vehicle decals.
• Your TCNC Member Directory listing is distinguished with the NCCTP designation.
We Are Partnered With The NC State Turfgrass Professional Short Course
The NC State Turfgrass Professional Short Course, a comprehensive turfgrass education program, is offered at select NC State Extension offices and at NC State University.
This Short Course offers a full curriculum of the science of turfgrass management as well as Continuing Education Credits for NCDACS Pesticide and NCLCLB Landscape Contractors’ license holders, and it will help you prepare for the NCCTP exam.
This Short Course is recommended but not required to take the NCCTP exam.
Fast Facts about the NCCTP
Enrollment Requirements:
Hold a current TCNC membership. If not currently a member, go to www.turfgrasscouncilnc.org and click ‘JOIN NOW’ to join online or download an application.
Have a minimum of one full year of work experience in the turfgrass industry.
Agree to the Certified Turfgrass Professional Code of Ethics as detailed on the application form.
Submit:
• A current and valid NC Pesticide Applicators license
• A completed NCCTP application (current TCNC members may apply online).
• NCCTP Program Application: $150
• Self-Study Materials: $50
• Exam Fee: $50
Curriculum and Exam
Curriculum covers nine core areas: Turfgrass Characteristics; Establishing Turfgrass; Soils & Nutrient Management; Cultural Practices; Pests & Integrated Pest Management; Pesticides & Plant Growth Regulators; Landscape Safety & Pesticide Use; Calculations & Calibration; Turfgrass Business & Economics.
Candidates have six months from the date of their enrollment acceptance to complete the NCCTP exam.
Candidates have six hours to complete the exam and must score 80% or more on each section to receive the NCCTP designation.
Exams can be taken at the TCNC office in Raleigh during normal business hours, or arrangements can be made at your local NC State Extension location.
Exams will not be graded if any application information is missing or if TCNC membership status cannot be confirmed. Please allow two to three weeks for exam grading and reports. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive communication with their results and either next step options or their graduation packet.
Maintenance Requirements
Maintain a current TCNC membership as a means of demonstrating ongoing support for the industry.
Submit an annual $50 renewal fee, which supports the NCCTP program and related promotional activities. Designation year is the same as the TCNC membership year, from July 1st to June 30th.
Hold a current NC Pesticide Applicator’s License. Subscribe to, actively support and uphold the TCNC Certification Code of Ethics.
The NC Certified Turfgrass Professional designation (NCCTP), the NCCTP logo and related programs materials are the trademarked property of the Turfgrass Council of North Carolina and cannot be used without TCNC’s written permission. For additional information, contact TCNC at 984.301.5460.
www.cgcfields.com
Dr. Joseph DiPaola Meet TCNC Regional Ambassador
Over the past couple editions, we’ve introduced you to some of TCNC’s new Regional Ambassadors. These are dedicated professionals who are strengthening connections, sharing expertise, and advocating for the turfgrass industry across North Carolina. These ambassadors serve as the local faces of TCNC, working to bridge the gap between our membership and leadership while helping professionals across the state stay informed, engaged, and supported.
This program was created with one key goal: to bring TCNC’s mission closer to home for our members. With a network of representatives in eight regions, the ambassador program fosters more direct engagement, allowing for the exchange of ideas, recruitment of new members, and increased access to valuable industry resources. Whether it’s helping members navigate challenges, connecting them with educational opportunities, or sharing the latest industry insights, our ambassadors play a vital role in strengthening our turfgrass community.
In this final installment of our Spotlight on Ambassadors series, we are pleased to introduce you to one more outstanding member:
Dr. Joseph M. DiPaola
Piedmont Triad Region
Dr. Joseph M. DiPaola brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his role as a TCNC Regional Ambassador. Having retired from Syngenta Lawn & Garden R&D and previously serving as a professor at North Carolina State University, Dr. DiPaola has spent his career contributing to advancements in turfgrass research and development. His deep-rooted connection to the industry and commitment to education make him a valuable asset to the TCNC community.
When asked why he chose to become a Regional Ambassador, Dr. DiPaola’s answer was simple but powerful, “The TCNC and North Carolina have given me a great deal over the years. I am glad to do anything I can to return the favor.”
In his new role, Dr. DiPaola is looking forward to reconnecting with old colleagues and forming new relationships with turfgrass professionals across the state. His enthusiasm for mentorship and industry collaboration aligns perfectly with the goals of the Regional Ambassador Program, which thrives on building meaningful connections among members.
The Impact of the Regional Ambassador Program
The TCNC Regional Ambassadors serve as liaisons, ensuring that members have access to the latest industry updates, networking opportunities, and educational resources. They play an essential role in:
• Sharing industry insights and TCNC resources with their local communities.
• Recruiting new members and partners to help grow and strengthen TCNC.
• Gathering feedback to ensure TCNC initiatives align with member needs.
• Connecting professionals with opportunities for networking, education, and advocacy.
With professionals like Dr. DiPaola leading the way, the Regional Ambassador Program continues to enrich TCNC’s mission, ensuring that members across the state feel supported and connected.
We thank Dr. DiPaola and all of our ambassadors for their dedication to the industry. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about the program, reach out to your regional representative or visit TCNC’s website for more details.
Your Tax Dollars at Work
How USDA Investments in Breeding Resulted in DroughtResistant Lawns
By Beatriz Tome Gouveia, Susana Milla-Lewis and Grady Miller
developing grasses that need less water, scientists are helping to ensure that we can maintain our landscapes without straining our resources. As climate change intensifies and weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable—bringing longer droughts, rising temperatures, and more extreme conditions—the demand for drought-tolerant grasses has never been greater and will only continue to grow. These innovations not only support sustainable land management but also help communities adapt to a changing climate, ensuring that green spaces remain both functional and visually appealing despite environmental challenges.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” goes the old phrase, and while we usually associate it to sports rather than science, sometimes the latter can be a team sport too! Fifteen years ago, a group of breeders and researchers from North Carolina State University, Oklahoma State University, University of Florida, University of Georgia, and Texas A&M University joined forces to tackle this challenge head-on. The main objective of this dream team was to develop drought-resistant varieties of the four most popular warm-season turfgrasses: bermudagrass, St. Augustinegrass, seashore paspalum, and zoysiagrass. But perhaps the superhero in this collaboration was the U.S. Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture, who supported the project through large grants of $3.9M in 2010, $5.3M in 2015, and a last one of $7.9M in 2019, which added University of California Riverside to the team. Beyond the size of the grants, having sustained funding for such a long period allowed the project to mature and produce impactful results.
Figure 1. Testing locations for the warm-season turfgrass collaborative project.
DMG Turf is a family owned and operated business, serving North Carolina with cool and warm season grasses. From small residential projects to large commercial jobs including golf courses, athletic elds, and much more, our commitment to customer satisfaction has been our top priority since 1999. Our friendly and knowledgeable sta are ready to serve you with delivery to your location, or you can schedule a pickup at our sod farm in Angier, NC.
The Grass of the Future Breaking Down the Results
The goal of this collaboration wasn’t just to create grass that can survive with less water but to develop grasses that thrive. Through the three cycles of the project, researchers evaluated thousands of entries for a range of traits, including drought resistance, tolerance to pests, fall color retention, and how quickly they green up in the spring. The process was rigorous. First, breeding lines from each university were screened in nursery trials at multiple locations across the southern U.S. These trials provided a comprehensive assessment of how the grasses perform under different environments and conditions—something that was not possible before this collaborative effort. The best-performing lines were advanced to replicated trials, where additional traits like salinity resistance, shade tolerance and sod production characteristics were evaluated. This multi-step process ensured that the most resilient and highest-quality grasses made it to the next stage. By testing these grasses under such diverse climatic conditions, the team ensured that the top performers are truly resilient no matter what mother nature throws at them: heat, drought, freeze, insects, pests, … ultimately delivering a better product for consumers.
Over the course of three grant cycles, the team made significant progress. To measure their success, researchers used a common plant breeding metric called “genetic gain,” which is the improvement in a specific trait—like drought resistance or overall quality—that results from selectively breeding plants over time. It’s the difference between how well the new, improved versions perform compared to the older, original ones. Think of it like upgrading from an older model of a car to a newer one: the newer model is more efficient or just works better because of the improvements made along the way. In the case of turfgrass, genetic gain measures how much better the new grasses are at things like surviving droughts or looking lush compared to the older varieties. The results were particularly impressive for bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and St. Augustinegrass, with each demonstrating more than a 10% genetic gain per grant cycle over commercial cultivars (checks). New bermudagrass cultivars like TifTuf® and Tahoma 31® have shown up to 20% better drought resistance compared to traditional options like Tifway 419! In zoysiagrass, the gains were even bigger with Brazos™ and Lobo™ showing up to 38% improvements in drought tolerance over Zeon.
Figure 2. Project trials. Left: planting of a zoysiagrass nursery that included hundreds of entries in Jackson Springs (NC). Right: differences in drought tolerance among entries in a St. Augustinegrass advanced trial at Citra (FL).
Table 1. Genetic gain (%) per cycle of the collaborative project compared to the commercial cultivars (checks) and using the historical data for drought resistance and turfgrass quality. Species
The commercial cultivar checks used were Tifway 419 for bermudagrass, SeaDwarf and SeaStar for seashore paspalum, Palmetto and Raleigh for St. Augustinegrass, and Palisades and Zeon for zoysiagrass.
Even more exciting is the fact that these new grasses are not just tough—they’re also better looking. Many of the new varieties have improved turfgrass quality, meaning they’re greener, denser, and more visually appealing than their predecessors. You might be thinking, “A 10% improvement does not sound like much.” But, when you consider how much water is often used to keep lawns green, even small gains can add up to big savings over time. And as climate change continues to exacerbate water shortages, these innovations will become even more critical. The benefits extend beyond water savings, too. By developing grasses that are more resilient to drought, shade, and salinity, researchers are helping homeowners and landscapers maintain beautiful lawns in a wider range of conditions. This is especially important in regions like the southern U.S., where water scarcity and extreme weather are becoming more common.
From the Lab to Your Lawn
The best part? Some of these drought-resistant grasses which are well-adapted to North Carolina are already available to homeowners and landscapers. Cultivars like Lobo™ Zoysiagrass and Sola® St. Augustine, released by the North Carolina State University Turfgrass Breeding and Genetics Program, are making their way into yards in NC and across the country, helping people save water without sacrificing their curb appeal. And as more of these grasses are commercialized, the options for sustainable landscaping will only continue to grow.
Sola® St. Augustine is fast to establish, demonstrates excellent shade tolerance, and has superior turfgrass quality over cultivar ‘Raleigh’. Furthermore, in comparison to Raleigh, Sola has better drought, gray leaf spot and chinch bug tolerances, and significantly better sod strength, traits that are desirable to reduce management costs and increase harvest ability in sod production.
Lobo™ is a medium-textured zoysiagrass with high density, aggressive lateral growth, excellent color retention under both cold and drought stress, limited seed head production, and resistance to large patch. While Lobo™ persists well under low inputs, it maintains superior turf quality under regular management practices making it a suitable grass for higher end uses like home lawns and golf course fairways.
FOOTNOTE: This work was supported by funding provided by Specialty Crop Research Initiative grants [2010-51181-21064, 201551181-24291, and 2019-51181-30472] from the USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.
The Business Behind the Green: How to Price Your Services for Profit
By Kristina Kelly
When it comes to running a turfgrass business, your work is rooted in results. Healthy lawns, properly installed sod, and satisfied customers are the visible signs of success. And behind every vibrant blade of grass is a business owner making daily decisions that impact their bottom line. One of the most important? Pricing.
Setting the right price for your services can feel like trying to hit a moving target. Charge too little, and you're leaving money on the table or risking your ability to sustain operations. Charge too much, and you might struggle to stay competitive in your market. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, understanding how to price your services for profit is key to long-term stability and growth.
Know Your True Costs
Before setting any price, you need to understand what it actually costs to deliver your services. That means looking beyond just materials and labor. Your total cost should include direct and indirect expenses, such as:
• Labor wages, including payroll taxes and workers’ compensation
• Equipment maintenance, fuel, and depreciation
• Material costs, like sod, seed, fertilizer, and irrigation supplies
• Insurance, licenses, and permits
• Office overhead, marketing, and administrative costs
If you’re only calculating based on materials and hourly labor, you may be unintentionally operating at a loss. Developing a simple spreadsheet or using job-costing software can help you track these figures and understand your cost per service. This step lays the foundation for profitable pricing.
Factor in Your Desired Profit Margin
Once you know your costs, it’s time to add your profit margin. This isn’t greedy. It’s necessary. Profit allows you to reinvest in your business, build a financial cushion, and pay yourself a fair wage as the owner. A healthy net profit margin in service industries typically ranges from 10 to 20 percent, though it may vary based on your service mix and market.
Southern Agricultural Insecticides, Inc. is a distributor of pesticides, fertilizers, potting soils, and horticultural supplies with locations in Florida and North Carolina.
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Jim Wells — West Central Florida (941) 720–2712
Roger Welker — East Coast Florida (772) 260–0282
Kevin Downing — South Florida (561) 427–4501
Jeff Strother — Southwest Florida (941) 270–0470
Andrew Wampler — Western Carolinas (828) 674–2594
Brandon Hicks — Central North Carolina (336) 906–0803
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For example, if it costs you $2,000 to complete a sod installation job, and you want a 20 percent profit margin, your price should be at least $2,500. Many business owners make the mistake of only charging enough to cover costs, which can lead to financial stress or burnout down the road.
Understand the Market (But Don’t Let It Dictate Your Value)
Knowing what competitors charge is important, but it shouldn't be your only reference point. Pricing strictly to match or undercut the competition can turn into a race to the bottom. Instead, use market research to understand the range of prices in
your area, and then position yourself based on the value you provide.
If your work is high quality, your team is reliable, and you offer responsive customer service, you don’t need to be the cheapest option. Instead, you can charge what you're worth and attract customers who recognize and value professionalism. That might mean saying no to some price-sensitive clients, but it will help you build a stronger, more sustainable client base in the long run.
Avoid the Temptation of Flat-Rate Guesswork
It can be tempting to offer flat-rate pricing to simplify your quotes, but
this approach can backfire if it’s not backed by data. Every job is different, and variables like square footage, site conditions, soil prep, and access points can dramatically affect your costs. If you rely on gut instinct or round numbers to quote jobs, you may end up underbidding without realizing it.
Instead, develop a pricing model based on per-square-foot or per-hour rates that can be customized to each job. This approach also helps you educate your clients and show transparency in your pricing.
Build in a Buffer for Risk and Rework
Not every job goes according to plan. Weather delays, equipment breakdowns, and last-minute client changes can eat into your profitability. When calculating your price, include a small buffer to account for the unexpected. This might be an extra percentage added to your labor costs or a built-in contingency fee.
Additionally, consider how you’ll handle rework or warranty issues. If you offer a guarantee on sod establishment or turf health, make sure that’s reflected in your pricing structure. It’s better to plan for these scenarios than to absorb the cost later.
Review and Adjust Regularly
Your pricing shouldn’t be static. Costs increase over time, and so should your rates. Review your pricing annually (or more frequently if you experience major changes in labor or material costs). Communicate price increases clearly and professionally with clients and reinforce the value they receive. Most customers understand that inflation and industry dynamics affect pricing, especially if they trust the quality of your work.
Regular reviews can also help you identify services that may no longer be profitable, or spot opportunities to package offerings in a way that increases revenue.
Package and Upsell Strategically
One way to boost profitability is by offering bundled services or strategic upsells. For example, if you’re installing sod, you could offer irrigation system checks, soil testing, or seasonal fertilization packages. These added services not only increase the overall value of a job, but they also help position your business as a comprehensive turf solution provider.
Clients often appreciate a “one-stop shop” approach, especially when it simplifies their to-do list and increases the success of their lawn or landscape investment.
Know When to Walk Away
Finally, remember that not every job is the right fit. If a prospective client pressures you to lower your price or match a competitor’s rate without understanding the difference in service quality, it may be best to politely walk away. Saying no to lowmargin work frees up your time and resources for jobs that are actually profitable.
It takes confidence and discipline, but walking away from the wrong clients is just as important to your bottom line as securing the right ones.
Pricing Done Right
Pricing is one of the most important decisions you make as a turfgrass professional and business owner. It requires a clear understanding of your costs, an honest evaluation of
your value, and the willingness to protect your profit margins. When done right, pricing becomes more than a number on a quote—it becomes a reflection of your professionalism and the foundation of a thriving business.
By taking a thoughtful, data-driven approach to pricing, you’ll not only ensure the health of your business but also earn the trust and loyalty of clients who see the value in what you do.
Where Quality Meets Testimonial
Using Growth Rate for
Precision Fertilization Management on Bermudagrass Putting Greens
By Nirmal Timilsina
Nitrogen (N) is critical for successful putting green management in golf courses. N at an optimum amount is important, and more is not necessarily better. Optimum N application balances putting green growth, visual quality, and playability. Currently, golf course superintendents have adjusted N application decisions mainly by “observing turf” which relies on visual turfgrass quality, seasonal scheduling, or experience. However, this application strategy is subjective and heavily relies on individual judgment, which can lead to a less accurate N application. Although yield is not an important indicator of turfgrass management success, golf course putting greens aesthetics and functions are closely related to turfgrass growth rate. In addition, few superintendents have started measuring fresh clipping volume in recent years to quantify growth for improving resource use efficiency while maintaining turfgrass quality. Thus, one of my dissertation projects aims to assess the relationship between turfgrass clipping yield and management practices on golf course greens, and use that knowledge to develop management practice guidelines for precision fertilization management on golf course putting greens.
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This multi-year research is conducted on two bermudagrass putting green locations constructed based on United States Golf Association (USGA) recommendations: ‘Champion’ bermudagrass putting green at North Carolina State University’s Lake Wheeler turfgrass research facility, Raleigh, NC and ‘G12’ bermudagrass putting green at North Ridge County Club, Raleigh, NC. The study on the “Champion” green evaluates four N rates [0 (No N), 5 (Low N), 10 (Medium N), and 20 (high N) kg N ha-1 applied every 14 days as urea]. The study on the “G12” green is maintained at two mowing heights, which are 0.085" and 0.125". At each mowing height, the study explores four N rates [0 (No N), 5 (Low N), 10 (Medium N), and 20 (high N) kg N ha-1 applied every 14 days as urea] and two PGR rates [0 and 0.034 kg/ ha applied as trinexapac-ethyl (TE, Primo® Maxx, Syngenta) at every ~170 growing degree days (GDD) with 10°C as the base temperature]. Foot traffic (approximately 1000 rounds/week) is applied to all plots by walking with golf shoes to simulate putting green use. All other management practices generally applied to a bermudagrass putting greens in the transition zone are followed. The plots are mowed three times a week using a Toro Greenmaster 1000, and clippings collected are dried at 60°C to achieve a constant mass and cleaned to remove sand and debris. Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE), volumetric soil moisture, surface firmness, and visual turfgrass quality are also recorded to assess the putting green performance.
The preliminary findings from two locations indicate that N plays an important role in putting green growth, with higher N rates contributing to increased clipping yields. This trend aligns with increased N rates correlating with higher turfgrass visual quality and NDRE values, with medium and high N
application rates producing acceptable turfgrass quality. Early findings suggest that TE applications suppress clipping yield; however, the suppression rate depends on N application rates, mowing height, and growing season. Increasing mowing heights decreases clipping yield and putting green surface firmness.
In summary, applying medium and high N application rates will drive turfgrass growth and maintain acceptable putting green quality, and using plant growth regulators can produce acceptable quality while reducing maintenance works by suppressing the growth rate. Besides aboveground clipping yield, my project will also investigate how management practices affect bermudagrass belowground growth, which contributes to thatch layer and organic matter development. As the project continues, we expect to use technology, such as machine learning, to help us better understand bermudagrass aboveground and belowground growth better and develop practical guidelines for greenkeepers regarding golf course putting greens management for maintaining green surface quality and playability as well as reasonable belowground growth accumulation.
Nirmal currently is a second-year PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Qiyu Zhou
