Golf's Environmental Blogosphere

My Quarterly column in Golf Course Management on Superintendents use of Blogs.

Monday, February 28th, 2011

Course Conditions
The weather makes the headlines once again. It seems we wouldn't have much to discuss if it were not for the weather. In this weeks post I will just let the photo do the talking.

Steve continues to tear apart the 3100 hubs. This one is a deep set wheel and you can see the accumulation of debris that has built up over the season. This is next to impossible to get out with the hose due to the backing plate. There really is no other way to get it out other than removing the wheel.

We have embarked on a few small drainage projects on the eleventh hole. The weather has held us up a bit but we will have no problem wrapping them up this week.

Energy Trust of Oregon

Given the recent cold weather we realized that we could probably save some money if we insulated our ceiling above the office and break room. With the success of our lighting project last year we decided to contact the Energy Trust of Oregon again to see if there were incentives available within the realm of insulation. Sure enough, we can get up to 0.30 cents per square foot, not to exceed the total cost of the project. It looks like we need to buy 1,190 square feet of R-19 insulation, install it, and send them the receipts. By my calculations our net cost will by less than $170.00!

My own take on promoting our good work

                                                                                                                                                              

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Sustainable Golf 2.0

Previously posted on Turfhugger.com:

I just sat down to read the new digital edition of Golf Course Industry magazine and came across this article called Sustainable Golf 2.0, written by Jim Black. I'm usually not the type to editorialize but I felt the need to say something here. There is a quote from Tom Mead, a golf course consultant, that stood out to be very profound.
It read as follows:
" I think there's a better chance for long-term financial success if we get off the treadmill of trying to meet golfers' expectations by continually increasing maintenance intensity and budgets, and figure out how to make money respecting the real intent and spirit of the game while protecting the planet's vital resources. Plenty of superintendents can see the need for some sort of transition, and they have the ability to develop a sustainable maintenance program. The problem is that they do not have the time of ability by themselves to educate their boards and members, or owners and paying golfers, about what they are doing and why."
So, do we not have the time or the ability to educate our board members and golfers? I think superintendents do. A number of superintendents are doing this exact thing.  If we can find the time to communicate our message, others can do so as well. We all want to see our industry succeed but it is difficult for some to put themselves "out there". Being "out there" is not necessarily a bad thing. It is not a matter of shameless self promotion but a matter of educating others of your successes and putting your industry in a good light. Tom Mead makes a perfect point in this story so lets get behind it and continue to promote our good work and help our golf courses achieve a more sustainable operation.