Golf course management professionals have long benefited from advances in research supported by funding from The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). The Institute will fund nine new research projects beginning this year, with total funding of more than $157,000 over the next three years.
Of the nine new projects, eight are Chapter Cooperative Research Program projects and one is a Michael Hurdzan Endowment Fund/Chapter Cooperative project. All the funded projects focus on applied research, which is problem-solving research that yields results that can be put in practice by golf course superintendents. The nine new projects will be profiled in the Cutting Edge section of Golf Course Management magazine over the next four months.
"GCSAA received 27 proposals requesting more than $550,000 in funding over a three-year period," GCSAA Director of Research, Clark Throssell, Ph.D., said. "The nine new research projects that the Research Task Group approved funding for will provide pertinent information to golf course superintendents. Superintendents will be able to implement the results of the research on their golf course to improve the quality of the golf course while controlling expenses and minimizing the impact on the environment."
Throssell announced the new research projects that will receive funding to The Institute's board of trustees at its winter meeting, held in conjunction with the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show Feb. 23 in Anaheim, Calif. GCSAA Director of Environmental Programs Greg Lyman explained the work of the environmental programs group at the meeting, including the upcoming nutrient survey phase of the Golf Course Environmental Profile project. The trustees also received reports from GCSAA CEO Steve Mona, CAE, and GCSAA Managing Director of Development Teri Harris regarding new advisory council members, upcoming fundraising activities and communication and outreach for The Institute.
Chapter Cooperative Research Program
* "Partial Control of Overseeded Grasses as a Novel Approach to Spring Transition." Shawn Askew, Ph.D., Virginia Tech University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Virginia GCSA/Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. $46,000 over two years
* "Design, Development, and Testing of an In-line Drainage Filter to Capture and Quantify Nitrates and Phosphates from Sand-based Putting Greens." Erik Ervin, Ph.D., Virginia Tech, University. Completion date 2008. Co-funded by the Virginia Turfgrass Foundation. $19,000 over one year
* "Turfgrass Reestablishment Techniques Following Winterkill." Kevin Frank, Ph.D., Michigan State University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation and the Northern Great Lakes GCSA. $36,968 over two years
* "Influence of Phosphonates, Wetting Agents, and Fertiizers on Algae Found on Golf Course Putting Greens." John E. Kaminiski, Ph.D., University of Connecticut. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Metropolitan GCSA, Northeastern GCSA, New Hampshire GCSA, Connecticut Association of Golf Course Superintendents and the Tri-State Turfgrass Association. $45,000 over two years
* "Fairway Conversion to Low-Mow Kentucky Bluegrass Using Annual Bluegrass Herbicides Combined with Turf Seeding Time and Rate." David Minner, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Completion date 2010. Co-funded by the Iowa GCSA. $30,000 over three years
* "Management Practices' Effects on Anthracnose Severity of Annual Bluegrass Putting Green Turf." James Murphy, Ph.D., Rutgers University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the GCSA of New Jersey. $30,000 over two years
* "Velocity and Certainty to Eliminate Poa trivalis in Newly Established Creeping Bentgrass." Zac Reicher, Ph.D., Purdue University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Midwest Regional Turf Foundation. $10,416 over two years
* "Biology and Management of Fairy Ring in Golf Course Putting Greens." Lane Tredway, Ph.D., North Carolina State University. Completion date 2010. Co-funded by the Carolinas GCSA. $53,520 over three years
Dr. Michael J. Hurdzan Endowment/Chapter Cooperative Research Program
* "Biological Control of Sting Nematode on Golf Course Turf with Pasteuria usage." William T. Crow, Ph.D., University of Florida. Completion date 2010. Co-funded by the Florida GCSA. $58,000 over three years
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. For more on The Institute, visit www.eifg.org.
GCSAA is a leading golf organization and has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
