….What is a pest really?

In one of our recent modules we looked at the definition of “pests” and ultimately determined that a pest is pretty much anything that grows where it should not. …Does that sound too simple? Think about it – a “prize-worthy” pumpkin belongs in a pumpkin patch. It would be completely out of place in the middle of a golf green …

Too much of a good thing isn’t good anymore…

At the moment the current students who are doing the 2-year training program in golf course maintenance are learning about plant nutrition and fertilizers. Here’s an interesting article about what happens when too much ferti is used. http://www.golfcourseindustry.com/article/overapplication-nutrients-turf/

The World’s Leading Organic Golf Course

As we embark on the next learning area which deals with Pest Control on Golf Courses, we take a look at the world’s leading “green golf course”. The vineyard golf club can boast as the world’s best 100% organic / pesticide-free golf course. Take a look at their website! https://www.vineyardgolf.com/golf

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TGMASA Endorsement

The Turfgrass Academy of South Africa is proud to announce that it is now a recognised National Education Partner of the Turf Grass Managers Association of Southern Africa!! The TGMASA agrees with us that the need for specialized training to be developed for the industry is important. We look forward to advancing education in the Golf Course Maintenance Industry Together in …

What happens to run-off agrochemicals on a golf course? Should we be worried?

By their very nature, pesticides cause damage to specific organisms. Those designed to eradicate insects, kill insects – those designed to destroy weeds, kill weeds. And in a similar way, fertilizers are designed to encourage growth and promote plants flourishing. These are necessary chemicals on a golf course. We need to control pests, and we need to support and encourage …

…Fertilization information

People – especially golfers – like grass to be green. But there is more to fertilization than just creating aesthetically  pleasing golf course turf.   Here are two interesting website links with some info on Fertilization – specifically on the golf course.   http://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/course-care/digitalcollections/turfgrass-fertilization.html https://extension.psu.edu/turfgrass-fertilization-a-basic-guide-for-professional-turfgrass-managers  

What do you know about Turfgrass identification?

Good turfcare starts with knowing what the specific turf in your care is! Once you know what you are working with you can research the specific species of turfgrass and find out more about it’s ideal growing conditions, its strengths and it’s weaknesses. …but how do you know what it is? There are more than 12 000 species of grass …

Grassless Golf anyone?

It may sound outrageous – or completely unbelievable; but how does a round of golf on a grassless golf course sound? Well, it can be done. Australia’s Coober Pedy Opal Fields Golf Course is a proudly ‘grassless’ golf course. Set in a desert, the fairways are maintained by  by spreading the local white sandstone on rough areas, and by rolling …