Golf courses and the environment

Golf course superintendents not only teach the rules of etiquette; they also work hand in hand with nature to protect the ecological systems on the golf course. Superintendents are committed to raising the awareness on how they work to preserve nature and the environment.

Wildlife and Habitat Management
Golf courses have different natural habitat and species of wildlife. Different plant and animal habitats are climate specific. Plants and wildlife found on golf courses near the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina are adapted for their environment, which is completely different than those on courses built in the forests of New England or on the prairies of the Great Plains. There are courses that are built on or near locations where natural habitat and wildlife exist. Golf course superintendents work with architects to help create new golf courses. It's important for this team to understand the environmental characteristics of the site where the golf course is being created and to build a course that has the least amount of environmental impact possible. Golf course superintendents have ongoing maintenance practices to enhance the course's environment and reduce the need for pesticides. For example, habitat is established when birdhouses are built to attract birds, which provide a natural defense against insects. Ponds are stocked with fish that help to control algae, and bat boxes are built to control mosquitoes. Every obstacle is maintained, every tree, piece of grass -- literally everything on the course has been thought about and tended to by the golf course superintendent.

Water Conservation
To experience the game of golf, the course has to be created and seeds planted to grow grass and other vegetation. Regardless of the type of grass or plant, without water it will not grow. Golf course superintendents have the responsibility of managing their watering systems. Water is the lifeblood of all golf courses. There are instruments available to assist the superintendent in deciding when to irrigate. Experienced superintendents know their course and recognize signs of drought stress. To conserve water, there are irrigation systems designed with low-pressure and are site specific. The system can be positioned to distribute water exactly where it is needed. Optimal watering times vary depending on the type and condition of the sprinklers, the types of plants used, exposure of the area being watered, the efficiency of the irrigation system and other factors such as temperature and wind.

Water Quality Management
Water quality is important to the health and vitality of plants. Sprinklers, controllers, valves, etc., often have small tolerances and will malfunction when the water contains silt or other impediments. If dirty water is a problem, filtration devices can be installed to screen out the pollutants. At the same time, additives can be injected into the irrigation water that will make the precious liquid even more beneficial to the health of the plants. Water is the most precious resource on earth. For the past several years, more golf courses have started to use effluent, which is treated wastewater from community or industry sewage. Usually it's cleansed of major pollutants, but still contains enough trace amounts of salt, heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium and bacteria to render it undrinkable. Dense, well-managed turfgrass areas are among the best filtration systems available for polluted water. The thatch layer in turf, which consists of dead and decaying organic material, traps and holds particulate pollutants in the water and allows them to degrade naturally. The effluent water that goes on the course as irrigation is actually cleansed and returned to lakes, streams and groundwater supplies. Golf course superintendents are aware of suitable soils, climatic conditions, groundwater hydrology and other factors that can influence the feasibility of water reuse. Although the use of effluent water on golf courses poses challenges for superintendents who must cope with high salinity (salt) and other pollutants, golfers should not notice any differences on the course.

All information in the section was supplied by the Golf Course Superintendent Assocation of America (GCSAA) unless otherwise noted. Are you interested in becoming a Golf Course Superintendent. We offer a 2 year Turf Management Certificate.

http://www.gcsaa.org