MEETING ON COMMON GROUND: Florida Superintendents Exchange Knowledge With Visiting Puerto Rican Agronomists
With the increasing demand for education, more and more golf course superintendents are looking for new, cutting edge technologies to meet the ever changing demands placed on them due to growing environmental standards, all while maintaining confining budgets. Geoponics, together with Univar, was very pleased to be a part of this educational process between two neighboring turf regions. It was truly a rewarding experience to see the joining of two differing cultures for the specific cause of bettering our turf industry as a whole. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who made this union possible.
Agronomist Samuel Valentin and Agronomist Raul Perez from R. Maldonado & Co., Inc. (San Juan, Puerto Rico) visited with some of Naples, Florida’s golf courses to discuss some of the cultural and fertility practices of local superintendents with various fine, warm season grasses. Both Valentin and Perez state that environmentalism within the self-governing commonwealth of Puerto Rico is crucial for the future and stability of island’s tropical ecology. Valentin goes on to say, “In Puerto Rico, we are constantly looking at ways to reduce cost so that more people have the opportunity to protect the island’s soil and water resources. With regard to the benefits we are seeing, everyone can benefit from these programs.” It just goes to show that Together We Can Make A Difference!
Team Turf would like to share with you how golf course superintendents are reaching out to a growing Puerto Rican golf community. Below is a brief recap of their trip.
Naples National
Mr. Terry Wood, Golf Course Superintendent
Champion/Paspalum/419 Bermuda
While maintenance philosophies and practices will vary from one club to the next, Terry Wood explained that Champion Bermuda is a high maintenance turfgrass. Some of the most notable advantages, said Wood, is that it is finer and denser than that of other varieties he has managed. Wood continued Champion may require a little more attention, but the prominently noticeable recovery has definitely increased his appreciation for the variety.
Terry Wood explains the renovations Naples National is currently undertaking, as well as the benefits he has seen from the Agriox in both his greens and approaches.
Wood went on to share the benefits of Paspalum on the driving range and tees. He has noticed consistent color and manageability in both areas. He has plans to experiment with a new and upcoming variety of Bermuda called Celebration which boasts a cool season blue-green color and is said to be more drought and shade tolerant. Wood is firm believer in the conservation of natural resources and responsible environmental practices in both the management of turfgrass and his personal life as well.
The Quarry
Mr. Tim Haskins, Golf Course Superintendent
Paspalum
Haskins demonstrates how effective management of soils can be attained by using Agriox and Penterra, even shortly after nine inches of rain!
As we move into the future, fresh water will become more and more of an underlying issue for turf managers. Tim Haskins focused on the benefits of Paspalum and its tolerance to lower qualities of water and the benefits of water conservation. Haskins also elaborated that, although Paspalum will respond well to Nitrogen sources, our environment can benefit from the reduced amount of fertilizer needed for this particular species. He explained some of the challenges one could be faced with during establishment of this type of fine turf.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Mr. Brian Beckner, Golf Course Superintendent
TifEagle/419 Bermuda
Brian Beckner explained how important aerification and movement of water is through his TifEagle Bermuda greens. Beckner states that various practices from the use of two type of surfactant chemistries Humawet and Penterra assist in the management of water through the profile. Beckner elaborates further on how Agriox and its unique ability to increase dissolved oxygen within porespace water has dramatically reduced the need for outside sources of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in his high performance greens.
Brian Beckner demonstrates how proper aeration methods can greatly improve soil health.
Beckner also elaborated on the benefits of using organics in his fairways like Carbotein, stating he has seen tremendous improvements in the health and vigor of the turf he manages. Beckner is an immense advocate of environmental practices with regard to turf management and is continuously striving to better his knowledge, thus enhancing his pursuit of utmost professionalism for LaPlaya’s clientele and members.
The Strand Golf and Country Club
Mr. Scott Davis, Golf Course Superintendent
Floradwarf/419 Bermuda
Scott Davis explained the benefits and challenges he is faced with in his Floradwarf greens. Davis stated that Floradwarf Bermuda grows very tight and without a lot of grain which helps for roll consistency and speed. He went on to state that Floradwarf does not come without its own set up obstacles. One such obstacle is water. Consequently, he manages water on his greens very carefully with products like Humawet and Agriox. Davis said that this helps him keep the water in the root zone while saturating it with oxygen.
Davis also talked about how he maintains uniformity and plant health using the Grizzly Pro-Turf Program. He stated he has seen new growth and development from these economical environmental approaches, which has allowed for reallocation funds to other areas of his budget.
Scott Davis explains how managing Floradwarf can be a “whole different animal” which affords unique benefits to golfers.
Add comment August 21st, 2008