GREEN LINES
Reprinted from “Through the Green”, July/August 2003, courtesy of the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association
W
hile those of us living in the Southeast have been dodging rainfall, flood waters and severe weather this spring, the USGA has been retooling and improving their Web site. A new feature on the site will benefit golf courses throughout the region. It has a wide range of benefits for both cool and warm season turfgrasses, is safe to use and, best of all, is free. It is called TERO.
WHAT IS TERO?
Connecting to the USGA TERO Web site is easy. Simply type http:// usgatero.msu.edu into your Internet browser, click “Enter,” and you will be taken directly to TERO. From there you may select current and past issues to review.
WHY SHOULD I USE TERO?
TERO is an acronym for the USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online. The USGA’s Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program has funded over 215 research projects at a cost of $21 million since 1983. These projects have generated valuable information for golf course superintendents, turfgrass researchers, and anyone studying turfgrass management. However, a research project is not completed until the results are communicated to the end user. Delivering the results of the research in a paper format to all interested individuals has been challenging and expensive. The development of the Internet and improved Internet connections have development of a Web site that can provide fast results of USGA-funded research. Delivery of research via a Web site is far more efficient and dynamic. The site can be used by people around the world, and users can access the information in minutes as opposed to requesting/searching for a printed copy of a research article. An interesting feature of TERO is its relationship with TGIF (Turfgrass Information File) at the Michigan State library. All of the references in the TERO articles have TGIF file numbers, allowing the reader to link directly to an abstract of that reference for more information. No subscription to TGIF is necessary to view these links.
HOW DO I USE TERO? 24
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2003
TERO is a great example of how the industry and universities can work together cooperatively to generate useful information. Science has benefited the game of golf for many years, and the information generated from USGA-sponsored research will continue to do the same. Any interested turf manager will learn something they can take with them to their job. The best news is that more information is yet to come. Dr. Jeff Nus of the USGA Green Section will be adding new articles twice a month. Be sure to save a link to this site and check it regularly.
USGA GREEN SECTION SOUTHEAST REGION LINKS ON LINE
Every month, USGA Green Section agronomists travel throughout the Southeast and are exposed to a wide variety of turfgrass conditions and agronomic topics. Each region within the USGA Green Section producesa bimonthly update on regional conditions called “Links On Line”. These updates are posted on the USGA Green Section Web Site. To enhance this service, the Southeast Region’s Links On Line update is available free of charge via email. If you would like to take advantage of this free service, e-mail Pat O’Brien at patobrien@usga.org. We offer this service to anyone at your club, turfgrass students in the region, or any other interested people with an e-mail address. T
Email TTA at: tnturfgrassassn@aol.com