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Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses

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Home
Who We Are
Introduction
Introduction Overview
Best Management Practices
Pollution Prevention
Water Conservation
Protecting Habitat
Pollinators
Individual Facility BMPs
Conclusion
1 Planning, Design, and Construction
1 Planning, Design, and Construction Overview
1.1 Regulatory Considerations
1.2 Overview
1.3 Wetlands and Floodplains
1.4 Drainage
1.5 Stormwater Management
1.6 Habitat Considerations
1.7 Turfgrass Establishment
1.8 External Certification Programs
1.9 Planning, Design, and Construction Best Management Practices
2 Irrigation
2 Irrigation Overview
2.1 Regulatory Considerations
2.2 Water Conservation and Efficient Use Planning
2.3 Drought Resistance
2.4 Irrigation Water Supply
2.5 Irrigation System Design
2.6 Irrigation Pumping Stations
2.7 Irrigation System Installation
2.8 Irrigation System Maintenance and Performance
2.9 Irrigation Management Decisions
2.10 Irrigation Best Management Practices
3 Water Management
3 Water Management Overview
3.1 Regulatory Considerations
3.2 Stormwater Management
3.3 Flood Recovery
3.4 Wetlands
3.5 Floodplains
3.6 Lakes and Ponds
3.7 Groundwater Management
3.8 Water Management Best Management Practices
4 Water Quality Monitoring
4 Water Quality Monitoring Overview
4.1 Existing Water Quality Information
4.2 Developing a Water Quality Monitoring Program
4.3 Interpreting Water Quality Testing Results
4.4 Water Quality Monitoring Best Management Practices
5 Nutrient Management
5 Nutrient Management Overview
5.1 Regulatory Considerations
5.2 Soil Testing
5.3 Soil pH
5.4 Plant Tissue Analysis
5.5 Fertilizers Used in Golf Course Management
5.6 Nitrogen
5.7 Phosphorus
5.8 Potassium
5.9 Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur
5.10 Micronutrients
5.11 Managing Soil pH
5.12 Nutrient Application Programs and Strategies
5.13 Application Equipment
5.14 Nutrient Management Best Management Practices
6 Cultural Practices
6 Cultural Practices Overview
6.1 Mowing
6.2 Aeration
6.3 Surface Cultivation
6.4 Topdressing
6.5 Overseeding
6.6 Rolling
6.7 Wetting Agents
6.8 Plant Growth Regulators
6.9 Cultural Practices Best Management Practices
7 Integrated Pest Management
7 Integrated Pest Management Overview
7.1 Regulatory Considerations
7.2 IPM Overview
7.3 Monitoring Pests and Recording Information
7.4 Identifying and Understanding Pests
7.5 Determining Threshold Levels
7.6 Control Methods
7.7 Evaluation and Record Keeping
7.8 IPM Best Management Practices
8 Pesticide Management
8 Pesticide Management Overview
8.1 Regulatory Considerations
8.2 Human Health Risks
8.3 Personal Protective Equipment
8.4 Environmental Fate and Transport
8.5 Water Quality
8.6 Pesticide Application Equipment and Calibration
8.7 Pesticide Record Keeping
8.8 Pesticide Storage and Handling
8.9 Transportation
8.10 Mixing/Washing Station
8.11 Disposal
8.12 Pesticide Container Management
8.13 Emergency Preparedness and Spill Response
8.14 Pesticide Management Best Management Practices
9 Pollinator Protection
9 Pollinator Protection Overview
9.1 Regulatory Considerations
9.2 Pest Management Practices
9.3 Preserving and Enhancing Habitat on the Course
9.4 Managed Hives
9.5 Pollinator Protection Best Management Practices
10 Maintenance Operations
10 Maintenance Operations Overview
10.1 Regulatory Considerations
10.2 Storage and Handling of Fertilizers
10.3 Equipment Washing
10.4 Equipment Storage and Maintenance
10.5 Fueling Facilities
10.6 Waste Handling
10.7 Maintenance Operations Best Management Practices
11 Landscape Design and Management
11 Landscape Design and Management Overview
11.1 Planning and Design
11.2 Site Inventory and Assessment
11.3 Plant Selection
11.4 Installation
11.5 Irrigation
11.6 Use of Mulch
11.7 Pruning
11.8 Pest Management
11.9 Native Areas Establishment and Maintenance
11.10 Landscape Best Management Practices
12 Energy
12 Energy Overview
12.1 Energy Audits and Evaluation
12.2 Energy Efficiency Improvements
12.3 Green and Alternative Energy
12.4 Energy Best Management Practices
GCSAA BMP Planning Guide
Facility BMP Guide

 

Environmental Best Management Practices for Virginia's Golf Courses

Acknowledgements

The GCSAA and EIFG wish to thank the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, faculty Dr. J. Bryan Unruh, Dr. Travis Shaddox, Dr. Jason Kruse, and Mr. Don Rainey, who worked on this project, providing their knowledge and expertise to help the golf course industry; the USGA for its grant to fund this important project; the volunteers who served on the task group to review BMP and provide technical assistance; and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for permission to copy its publication Best Management Practices for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Course.

Additional Acknowledgements

The development of the second edition was made possible by the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association, superintendents in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and turf scientists at Virginia Tech. Representatives from each organization provided their time and expertise to develop and review drafts of best management practices specifically for Virginia designed to protect the state’s natural resources. The following committee members contributed their time and expertise to developing this second edition of Environmental Best Practices for Virginia’s Golf Courses:

  • Timothy Doran, Kingsmill Resort (Committee Chair)
  • Mike Augustin, Belle Haven Country Club
  • Steven Ball, Ballyhack Golf Club
  • Mike Goatley, D., Virginia Tech University
  • Bill Keene, Blacksburg Country Club
  • Peter McDonough, Keswick Club
  • David Norman, Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association
  • Cutler Robinson

We would also like to thank the members of the BMP committee who contributed a significant amount of time to develop the first edition. These original committee members included: Peter McDonough (Committee Chair), Dick Fisher, Cutler Robinson, Walter Montross, Jeff Snyder and Christian Sain.

We would also like to think the external reviewers of the draft final version of this document. The time and effort taken by individuals and agency representatives strengthens our document and ensures its accuracy.

Funding and support for this project was provided by the Virginia Golf Course Superintendents Association (VGCSA), GCSAA, EIFG, and the USGA. The GCSAA also provided a best management practices template that served as source material for this project.




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The full Virginia BMPs document is available for download
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