8 Pesticide Management Pesticide use should be part of an overall pest management strategy that includes biological controls, cultural methods, pest monitoring, and other applicable practices. When a pesticide application is deemed necessary, its selection should be based on effectiveness, toxicity to non-target species, cost, site characteristics, and its solubility and persistence in the environment. Storage and handling of pesticides in their concentrated form poses the highest potential risk to groundwater and surface water. For this reason, it is essential that facilities for storing and handling pesticides be properly sited, designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with federal and state […]
7 Integrated Pest Management When turfgrasses face stresses such as the heat and drought found in Virginia’s transition zone climate, pests can become a problem. Pesticides alone will not control pests; a more effective approach is to develop an IPM program to reduce pest damage and reliance on pesticides. The EPA defines IPM as “an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.” The primary objective of an IPM program is to reduce the total pesticide load on the golf course by using a combination of tactics to control or manage pests. […]
6 Cultural Practices Golf cultural practices, which include mowing, cultivation practices, and overseeding, maintain a turfgrass system (i.e. putting greens, tees, fairways, or roughs) for the desired use or function. For example, mowing creeping bentgrass and ultra-dwarf bermudagrass putting greens to a low height of cut (HOC) with well-adjusted and sharp blades – in addition to proper implementation of cultivation practices such as aerification and topdressing – maintains a uniform surface over time for smooth ball roll. In addition to the playability benefits of implementing cultural practices BMPs, these practices help to avoid sediment and nutrient runoff by maintaining the […]
5 Nutrient Management Proper nutrient management plays a key role in the reduction of environmental risk and also increases course profitability. Among other benefits, applied nutrients increase the available pool of nutrients and allow turfgrass to recover from damage, improve its resistance to stress, and increase its playability. However, an increase in available nutrients also raises the potential risk of environmental impact. Nutrients may move beyond the turfgrass via leaching or runoff, which may directly impact water quality. Other organisms also respond to increases in nutrients and, in some cases, these organisms may deleteriously alter the ecosystem. The goal of […]
4 Water Quality Monitoring Regularly scheduled water quality monitoring can be both preventive and curative in terms of environmental impact. The public perceives that water sources on golf courses are contaminated with nutrients and chemicals applied in turf management. However, as demonstrated in a high-profile research project conducted at Purdue University’s North Golf Course, a properly designed and managed golf course can actually improve the quality of the water entering golf courses from stormwater runoff originating from neighboring farmland and residential development (Kohler et al. 2004). Water quality monitoring measures the likely origin and extent of sedimentation and nutrient inputs […]
3 Water Management Whether natural or manmade, surface water in the form of lakes, ponds, and streams has long been associated with golf courses. Natural lakes and ponds are usually connected to existing water sources, such as wetland areas. Irrigation impoundments (lakes, ponds, and constructed wetlands) can be incorporated into the design of a course and used both to manage stormwater and to function as a source for irrigation. Overall, water management incorporates not only the information contained in this chapter, but many of the issues discussed throughout this document, including: Design considerations such as the use of vegetated buffers. […]
2 Irrigation The irrigation system on a golf course is critical for the maintenance of high-quality playing conditions. Throughout Virginia, various types of irrigation systems are used, ranging from basic quick connect and hose applications to advanced multi-row sprinkler systems. Advanced systems conserve water, making use of the latest in computerized central control, state-of-the-art pumping systems, sprinklers with highly efficient nozzles, soil sensors, radio communication, and weather data collection devices. Because every golf course is different, the requirements, design, and specifications of irrigation systems differ. Therefore, irrigation recommendations should be adapted to fit the needs of a particular system and […]
1 Planning, Design, and Construction Building a new golf course or renovating an existing golf course requires careful consideration of the health of the golf course ecosystem during planning, design, and construction. Designers can draw inspiration and develop a balanced, functional design through intense study of the onsite and neighboring ecological features, habitat documentation, terrain analysis, circulation patterns (such as air, water, wildlife, and traffic), and a variety of other constraints and attributes. The thoughtful use of BMPs during planning, design, and construction should result in an environmentally sustainable golf course that operates efficiently and profitably. Because each golf course […]
