POSTS FILED UNDER: 'Greenskeeper News'
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.
August 21st, 2008
Brian Beckner, superintendent of the gorgeous LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort golf course, utilizes Geoponics Earth Chemistries™ to great success by using the Grizzly Pro-Turf Program.™ He continually works with his Geoponics Consultant to modify the program to better serve his golf course’s specific needs. He recommends other golf course superintendents do the same with their greens fertility programs.
Video Testimonial 1 of 3
As the general public’s attention is increasingly focused on environmentally responsible action, both individually and corporately, the tools that superintendents utilize in their daily work routine need to be reevaluated. Mike Sankey looks forward to an on-going partnership with Geoponics to continue to stay ahead of the curve, not because of impending legislation, but because he knows it is important to his membership at the beautiful Royal Palm Country Club, and because it is the right thing to do. Watch more video testimonials of superintendent Sankey explaining how he learned about Geoponics and how his most challenging greens were the first to respond to treatment, including a outrageous tripling of root depth.
Video Testimonial 2 of 3
Cost savings and a responsible environmental approach to the job are just two of the many reasons superintendent Patrick Donelan utilizes the Grizzly Pro-Turf Program™ at all three incredible courses he maintains (Fazio, Love and Norman) at the gorgeous Barefoot Resort & Golf . Hear more of his reasons for choosing Earth Chemistries.™
Video Testimonial 3 of 3
Interested to Learn More?
Read superintendent Ian Murphy’s interview about his experiences with Geoponics and the Grizzly Pro-Turf Program™ to get an overview of what you can expect from service to results now, or call 877-ECO-GROW to set up a brief Technical Consult.
Geoponics, LLC provides the turfgrass managment industry unique, premium quality products crafted to be environmentally safe, naturally promoting healthy plants, soil and water. Visit the corporate website now to learn more about how you can Harness the Power of Nature™ and join in the effort to create a better future.
Together We Can Make A Difference.™
December 12th, 2007
Click to Watch!
November 25th, 2007
Jennifer Seevers | Mike McIntyre | Wayne Crisson
We would also like to congratulate superintendent Patrick Donelan and Barefoot Resort & Golf on a successful Championship. Thank you for your support and willingness to share your positive results using our products.
If you missed us at the show, or were not in attendance, please take a moment now to contact Geoponics, LLC and schedule a 15 minute call with a technical consultant to discuss which of our environmentally friendly products would be right for your particular golf course. 1 877 ECO-GROW
Together We Can Make A Difference™
November 19th, 2007
“Being a leader and innovator in the lawn care industry with branches from Boston down through the Mid-Atlantic region, SavATree/SavaLawn has always strived to provide customers with lawn care choices that are both effective and environmentally sensible. We use Geoponic’s Humawet™ and Carbotein™ in our programs with confidence because they show consistent quality results and were developed with the environment in mind. We used Carbotein 6-2-5 during the summer 2007. It was the first year to actually switch our standard program to such that 90% of our customers receive a truly hybrid organic program using organic/biodegradable fertilizer and adjuvant components. Carbotein and Humawet have been the core organic/biodegradable components to the success of these programs.”
David Von Schmittou
SavaLawn Director of Operations
SavATree/SavaLawn
550 Bedford Road
Bedford Hills, NY 10507
www.savatree.com
Learn about what you can do to make your living environment healthier and more enjoyable. Watch a quick video introduction to SavATree now!
November 16th, 2007
For more information, visit this incredible golf haven’s website now.
November 4th, 2007
Welcome to The Greenskeeper Online. Each issue of our turfgrass industry e-newsletter will feature a timely scientific article; tall-but-true tales from out on the water; and the occasional industry specific member profile, survey, tip or contest.
This site offers the full versions of abbreviated articles from our mailings, as well as the place to come to access archived issues. In either case, our intention is to create an informative publication for professional turf managers that is also enjoyable to read.
Best regards,
Rebecca and Team Turf
PS – Don’t forget to visit our website to download a fantastic and free screensaver.
September 1st, 2007
TurfNET magazine reveiwed 40 top turfgrass undergraduate programs in the nation, and The Wolfpack took home top honors. Visit the Crop Science Department website to read the article and learn more about this premier program’s on-going studies.
September 1st, 2007
“Geoponics has been instrumental in developing leading edge products for us that are environmentally friendly and agronomically sound. Turf managers are enhancing their maintenance programs with these products. We look forward to continued ventures with the Geoponics team to bring these products to our clients, along with many more in the future.”
Glenn Zakany
SEP (Southeast Turf Partners)
Ft. Myers, FL
August 10th, 2007
Dear Friends,
Water is essential to all life on earth and we can’t seem to get enough of it. With 326 million cubic miles of water on our Earth, it is our most abundant compound. Yet only 3/10,000 is fresh water that we can use for drinking, washing, and bathing. The rest is locked up in our oceans, glaciers, icecaps, inland seas, ground water, and atmosphere.
We at the IGFA are committed to the conservation of our planet’s most precious resource, not only for the increasing population of the earth, but also for all the animals that inhabit clean and unpolluted fresh water.
Secondary to pollutants flooding our lakes and rivers, red tide has increased; low oxygen levels have reached dangerous levels and ultimately killing fish by the thousands. As an organization committed to conservancy this greatly concerns us.
We use Geoponics’ AquaKler at our Headquarters to ensure that our lakes remain remarkably clear. We recommend this product for use in fresh water ponds and lakes. It truly is a unique “Earth Chemistry”.
International Game Fish Association (IGFA)
www.igfa.org
August 10th, 2007
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