This Week in Green Golf

The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic is this weekend, and although nothing jumps out at me as being "green" it is co-hosted by The Raven at Lora Bay in Collingwood Ontario. The Raven at Lora Bay is an Audubon Certified, IPM Accredited (I think the 1st in Collingwood) facility. I Met the Superintendent Chris LeCour a few years ago, you can't help but to be moved by his passion for the environment and it's demonstrated in his maintenance practices. Check out his blog to read up on some of the happenings at Lora Bay.


The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently released a Golf Course Water Resources Handbook for Best Management Practices handbook to help golf courses throughout the state restore wetlands, manage stormwater, and make courses more enjoyable. Read the full article here, and be sure to view the Power Point Presentation as it's easiest one of the best available on the internet. Download your free copy of the handbook at www.pecpa.org/gchandbook


Courtesy of the GCSAA, 2009 ELGA applications are now available!
From the press release: "The GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards are now available online. The ELGAs, presented in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird, Golf Division, recognize golf course superintendents and golf courses for their commitment to environmental stewardship. The deadline for applications is Oct. 18, 2009.

Applicants are judged on five areas: Resource Conservation, Water Quality Management, Integrated Pest Management, Wildlife/Habitat Management and Education/Outreach. National winners will be determined from the top public, private, resort and international applicants. From the national winners, an overall winner will be announced. In addition, Chapter and Merit prizes are also awarded.

All ELGA winners receive:

• Recognition in Golf Digest and GCSAA publications
• Recognition at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
• An invitation for the winner's employer to attend the recognition activities in San Diego.
• A personalized trophy or certificate of achievement
• National, regional and local publicity

For more information about the ELGAs, contact Greg Lyman, GCSAA’s director, environmental programs, at glyman@gcsaa.org or at 800-472-7878, ext. 3625."

Check out this GCSAA Video featuring previous ELGA Winner James Roney



Can you say this ten times fast "Dr. John Kaminski,Dr. Megan Kennelly,Dr. Jim Kerns, Dr. Lane Tredway,Dr. Frank Wong "?

Well you don't have to, instead just go to the shared blog aptly named "Golf Course Disease Updates By University Professors". This blog covers timely turf grass disease information for the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and South Central regions of the US.



Landscape Management is an excellent resource when it comes to environment/turf news. Some of their latest articles that I really like include:
Ten Environmentally Friendly Landscape Tips
New Brunswick Pesticide Ban Explained
Weather Based Irrigation System Expected to Save Cemetery 100,00 Gallons

Waters not always a "hazard"

While submersed in the walls of a golf course, you couldn't feel further away from the concrete jungle when you witness a Blue Heron strike a small fish and watch as it gulps down lunch. While supporting habitat needs has become a secondary function of our golf courses (along with carbon sequestering, heat-island sinks, storm water management, etc...) maintaining these functions has become a primary focuses. One of the basic elements that contributes to overall ecosystem health is of course water quality. Once superintendents have employed techniques to protect, preserve and improve water quality, the next step is to encourage wildlife.

Whether a golf course is located on a stream, large lake or dotted with small ponds, aquatic life is essential to the local food chain. I've compiled a few resources explaining what golf courses are doing to increase the effectiveness of our water features for aquatic life and some basic "how to" links that can provide guidance.

Links to improving fish habitat on the golf courses from The Environmental Institute for Golf:

• Little Deschutes River Restoration and Fish Habitat Enhancement at Crosswater
• Seasonal Wetlands on the Golf Course
• Pond Improvements to Provide Better Habitat for Aquatic Life
• Eastmoreland Golf Course and the Johnson Creek Watershed Council: A Case Study in Cooperative Problem Solving

Water under the Bridge - Managing Fish Habitat and Stream Crossings on a Manitoba Golf Course (Word Doc.)

Here are a few links to the regulations of restoring and protecting fish habitat and the process of stocking your pond or stream:
Why Protect Fish Habitat? Here is some great starting info from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. This site begins to outline the regulations surrounding interactions with fish habitat. Here are few regional links, I recommend you review them all, but be sure to contact your local government body responsible for enforcing fish habitat related regulations.

• The fish and Habitat Primer, Ontario Edition
• Ontario's Fish Stocking Program (Funding Assistance and Guidelines)
• Trout and Walleye Pond Stocking Tips - Very good Q & A
  
• Protecting Integrity of Fish Habitat, Quebec Presentation
• BC guide to the Fish Protection Act (General Streams, Sensitive Streams, Managing Debris, Riparian)
• Alberta - Fish and Wildlife - Habitat on Public Lands, Integrated Management

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Habitat and Resource Conservation

This Week in Green Golf

Bird-B-Gone Mist, the latest ground-breaking product offered by Bird-B-Gone Inc., has been named one of Buildings Magazines’ TOP 100 Products of 2009! Products were chosen based on their “innovation, functionality, efficiency, and environmental friendliness”. I like the Bird B Gone products because they have a focus on deterring the birds, and do not aim to hurt the birds, although I've got to say I've never been a fan of spikes.



In Cambodia, Turtle Stew is considered a delicacy. But when poachers are collecting thousands of endangered turtles someone has to step in and provide a sanctuary. In this case, it's a golf course. From the article:

"The Angkor Golf Resort and the Jay Pritzker Academy are working with the Angkor Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity to provide safe havens for critically endangered turtles that have been confiscated during government raids from markets where the animals were being sold by the kilo to turn into stew.

Turtles are considered a delicacy by Cambodians, and the demand for their meat is high enough to support an illegal trade, pushing many species toward extinction. While police can confiscate turtles from poachers, the more difficult task is finding a safe area to release them.

Jim Gubricky, golf course superintendent at the Angkor Golf Resort, said the resort started fostering turtles about 18 months ago. "The wife of a guy who used to work here saw a bunch of turtles being sold in the market. She bought them all - probably about 50 or 60 - brought them to the course and released them."



Now I'm sure this won't come as a surprise to superintendents, but it's always nice to see it in the news: "Environmentally Friendly Golf Course Project Cleans Storm Runoff".

We've all seen the sludgie water come in to our urban golf courses and watch how that is filtered and transformed into a clear life giving substance that many take for granted, but lets face it, our golf courses are not recognised as fulfilling this function. This stigma can change thanks to articles like this. Side note: I googled this golf course and 6 articles about this project came up, very well done. From the article:

"The private course in northeastern New Hanover County (Eagle Point GC) on Tuesday opened its gates as part of a push to help treat storm water before it flows into Little Creek and eventually the Intracoastal Waterway.

More than 60 volunteers, including some teen-agers from the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington, spent Tuesday morning getting their hands dirty planting nearly 5,000 plants."

GCM is one of my favorite golf industry news sources, here's a couple of recent items that were of interest to me.

A 2010 Ryder Cup Update, From the article:

"Europe's Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie is lending his support to the initiative: "I am delighted that The 2010 Ryder Cup is pioneering sustainability in sport events. To know that important social and environmental issues are being addressed across all aspects of the event adds even more to the already huge sense of pride I have in captaining the European Team.

"Come event time, we are going to witness some inspirational sporting drama, within a stunning environment, and with a legacy of improved understanding and practical action in Wales and across the game of golf."

The action plan cuts across four core areas:

The Venue: Further developing the Celtic Manor Resort's existing environmental management program, through which the resort hotel and clubhouses have already achieved level three of the Welsh Green Dragon Awards for sustainable businesses.
Event Staging: Establishing policy, promoting best practice guidance and collating baseline data for a wide range of issues such as energy, transport, catering, waste and temporary structures. This part of the action plan aims to ensure outreach through procurement, extending the initiative as far as possible out into supply chains.
Communications: Preceding and during the event, undertaking a wide range of media communication activities to make the most of the unique opportunity to raise public awareness and demonstrate leadership in this field.
Legacy: Ensuring that Ryder Cup achievements have a multiplier effect across golf and the environment in Wales and internationally, including setting in motion a movement towards the greening of all golf events and the provision of a detailed Sustainable Golf Events Toolkit to aid delivery."

More from GCM

"American Golf Corp., in an effort to conserve thousands of gallons of water on southern California courses, is retrofitting sprinklers with efficient metal nozzles. The company is working with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which offers rebates to courses that switch to FCI Profile metal nozzles from plastic nozzles. The FCI Profile nozzles feature stainless steel orifices to increase distribution uniformity and save water, the company says. The nozzles are manufactured by Underhill International. American Golf manages more than 110 private, resort and daily fee courses in the U.S. Contact Underhill International, 866-863-3744 (www.underhill.us)."

Kemper Sports Goes Fore The Green

Although most golf management companies have an environmental program (which usually consists of Audubon Certifications and other lesser known stewardship rating programs), Kemper Sports out of Illinois has created a new program "Green To A Tee" that their own courses are aspiring to reach. This really raises the bar in our industry, great job Kemper.

(Videos too big for my page, go here)

From their website:

"The Green to a Tee program encompasses environmentally focused initiatives within several core areas of facility operations, including:
· Golf course maintenance
· Habitat management
· Water conservation
· Energy usage
· Recycling
· “Green” vendor utilization
· Staff education and training
In addition to formalizing the company’s policy on environmental practices at both the corporate and property levels, the Green to a Tee program arms the more than 5,000 KemperSports staffers throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with tools and training in environmentally-friendly practices that they can implement on the job and in their homes".

Sounds like an excellent program, I'm currently setting up a time with Kemper Sports Executive Vice President, Jim Seeley to learn more about the four steps mentioned in the video.

But what about the golf courses not managed by Kemper Sports? How can they be involved in steps beyond Audubon? (I know it was on your mind) Well I suppose those clubs can check out this site.

Best Management Practices

Created by The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, with help from Auburn University and financial assistance from the EPA, this two part video series discusses the Best Management Practices on golf courses. It's a great overview, basic, but informative.

Green Options at the Golf Industry Show

Regular readers of goforethegreen know that I rarely mention products by name, and that I prefer to refer to management techniques that use less man-made, non-renewable inputs. Recently I was reviewing some products and services that will be showcased at the upcoming Golf Industry Show in New Orleans, and I happen to come across a few examples of products and technologies that stay within the realm of goforethegreen's mission. So over the next week I'll be showcasing some of the products with strong green attributes, and contribute to the overall sustainability of the golf industry.

As our industry strives to become more efficient, for environmental and economic reasons, I enjoy seeing products that aim to achieve both of those results. I recently had a brief email conversation with Kevin Davies of Nutrient Technology Partners, makers of NutriLife - a fertilizer meta-catalyst, which enables a higher fertilizer efficiency rate of 25% or more.Davies says "In very quick terms, we allow the nutrients in fertilizer to be made more available to the plant – in this case turf – and therefore the user can actually reduce the amount of nutrients (fertilizer) they need to use. This use less approach is in itself the very beginning of being more environmentally responsible, but with our product they still get high quality turf. Our ability to increase the amount of nutrients that get into the plant by 50 to 75% allows superintendents and lawn care companies to trust this ability to reduce the amount of nutrients they put in the soil. In addition to using less, their is a nice economic reward to the user as even with the price of our product added to the cost of the fertilizer they save money – i.e. spend less. This is key as some of the “Greener” approaches cost too much money for the users to adopt, even if it is better for the environment they can’t afford to make the change, or they don’t deliver the quality the user is looking for. This combination of using less, and getting more into the plant gives us the environmental benefit we are all looking for – leave less".

I like the "use less", "spend less" and "leave less" approach.

Davies makes a very interesting point, it is hard to adopt some of the green options when they cost more, especially during a recession. I think in the mean time products like this have a very good place in the market.

I did notice in some of NutriLifes promotional materials that a study at Auburn University revealed that the NutriLife fertilizer significantly out-performed untreated fertilizer in a recent study. The researchers applied catalyzed 18‑5‑9 fertilizer to bentgrass at 4 pounds/1,000 square feet, and conventional 18‑5‑9 fertilizer at the same rate. Bentgrass treated with the NutriLife fertilizer had 37-percent greater average root diameter, 91-percent higher fresh root weight, and 105-percent higher fresh shoot weight.

All of that is great, but I couldn't help to notice a few other characteristics of this product that interests me. Studies have shown that NutriLife helped reduce the total amount of salt found in soil tests at Texas A&M extension service, a reduction greater than 60%. In addition, and this one I really like, Nutrient Technology Partners claim that in a Arise Research and Discovery study, NutriLife was shown to have a 48% reduction in nitrates at 12" depth, 57% in nitrates at 30" depth and decreases Phosphate leaching by 37%. The later interests me because every where I look (Michigan, Westchester, Canada) I see bans on Phosphate and calls to reduce applications of fertilizers that contain it.

Post-Bottle Ban Options

As our cities begin to consider plastic water bottle taxes and bans, we are starting to see how this will affect golf courses. The city of Toronto has recently announced its goal to ban the sale of plastic water bottles at all municipally owned facilities immediately, and at golf courses by 2011. This effort is part of the city's plan to divert 70 per cent of Toronto's waste from landfill by 2010. (not without opposition, surprised?)

A great effort, but how am I going to get a nice cold drink of water while on the 13th hole?

To begin with, the reason most golf courses use water bottles in the first place is due to the infamous cases of E-coli contamination associated with Drinking Water Coolers, specifically the 2002 case at Thunderbirds Golf Course in Phoenix.

Also, due to the recent concern of "gender bender" chemicals found in plastics (here, here, and here), non-plastic bottles are all the rage. Specifically Klean Kanteen, largely considered as the leading brand of reusable water bottles
(buy them here) of which Rosedale Golf Club (non-city owned) in Toronto is already selling.

With all of this eco-political correctness are we going to see the beverage cart (solar powered) girl (or male, or transgendered, or whatever) wearing gloves (non-latex) offering (in all official languages) to fill up your water bottle (Bisphenal A free) from a terracotta earth cistern (certified fair trade) any time soon? I hope so. ha.

If your using water coolers, check out the Minnesota Guidelines

Report: Guidance for National Golf Federations of Europe

The European Golf Association, in collaboration with the Golf Environment Organisation and The R&A, has produced a new report on golf and the environment, find it here.

The EGA hopes the report, Guidance For National Golf Federations, which highlights the issues that are affecting national golf federations, will encourage governing bodies to take a proactive and positive lead on environmental sustainability. My initial impression is that its very honest and takes a sincere concern about environmental issues facing the industry.

I've only browsed the report, but I'll be updating this post with my impressions once I get the chance to evaluate it's contents.

Golf Course Profile - Club de Golf Rivermead

Welcome to Rivermead...


Notable Environmental Features:

• Expected to be Audubon Certified within the Winter of 08/09, with assisstance provided by OOAL
  
• Mature habitat zones with strong corridor connectivity along streams and pond features
• An ESD Waste to Water System, follow this link for more information
  
• Test Plot for "Biological Control of Turfgrass Snow Molds with the fungus Typhula phacorrhiza" with Dr. Tom Hsiang, Dept. Environmental Biology, University of Guelph. More Information Here
• Member within the Coalition for Responsible Golf

Photographs courtesy of superintendent Dereck Powers
Interested in more information on Rivermead?
Course Photo Gallery
Course History
Membership Information

Take A Gander At Some Goose Control Options

I'll be posting on this topic often, but figured I'd need to start somewhere.

Some specie background from Wikipedia here.

A few management guidelines can be found here, and from the USGA here.

A couple interesting contraptions can be found here.

Behavior Modifications Here.

The Environmental Institute for Golf

Who is the Environmental Institute for Golf?

What began as a modest $200 scholarship awarded to a student in 1955 has evolved over the past 50 years into a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities directed at strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with the natural environment. As the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute) relies upon the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs and projects that help golf courses fulfill the environmental, recreational and economic needs of their communities. The Institute is fortunate to have more than 9,000 active donors, representing each of the United States and 67 countries worldwide, supporting its efforts. Why? They believe in the future of the game and its positive impact to a community.

In January 2003, The Institute evolved from The GCSAA Foundation, originally established in 1955, with a new name, mission and focus. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course.

Today, The Institute funds more than $1 million annually in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is committed to strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment.

By 2008 the EIG hopes to provide:

• Collaboration between the golf and environmental communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come in contact with the game of golf.
• Golf course design, construction and management will implement environmental standards to strengthen the compatibility of golf and the environment.
• The environmental, recreational and economic aspects of golf courses will be enhanced for their communities.

The Environmental Institute for Golf offers a ton of great resources, click on the topics below for an amazing collection of Case Studies, Research Papers and Advertisements:

Service Water Quality

Integrated Plant Management

Golf Course Siting, Design and Construction

Wildlife and Habitat Management

Energy and Waste Management

Ground Water Protection

Water Use and Conservation

All Case Studies


Follow this link for another video featuring Greg Norman.

GREEN GOLF on the GO

Every once in a while I get overwhelmed with the amount of potential posts, so instead of doing a bunch of individual posts I compile the links with a brief intro, Enjoy!

The Sports Business Journal has a few articles of note, you must sign up as a member to view.
Golf Without Turf - Artificial Surfaces
Golf Deals with a range of Environmental Issues

Interesting perspective! This article starts off by claiming: "For years, a golf course—or proximity to one—has been a prerequisite of the destination meeting. But as meeting planners increasingly seek to green their practices within the meetings and lodgings parameter, they are likely wondering about the green practices of the greens outside".
Read the rest of the article here.

More on the Trump fiasco.

I'll have to write an article on this topic soon, but for now here's just a peak at what is happening in Spain.
And while we're at it here's a bit more background on the concept of water trading.

Here's a bit on Ontario's water problems, from the article:
"Starting Jan. 1, 2009, industrial or commercial water users that fall within certain categories will be required to pay $3.71 for every million litres of water they take".
As of right now Golf Courses are not included within the defined "certain categories".

The above concerns could have something to do with this situation in Orangeville Ontario.


Toppoint has recently released the eCo RANGE golf Ball - "Toppoint Corporation Limited is the LEADER in golf balls manufacturing in Thailand for worldwide export." www.toppointgolf.com

Golf Courses contribute to conservation efforts, here and in some cases it's a little more complicated, like here.

Great Source of Info

Early spring photo of Heron Point Golf Club, near Hamilton, Ontario Canada

My goal with GO FORE THE GREEN is to provide as much information as possible about environmental issues facing the golf industry and to explore possible solutions. In order to keep myself in the loop I check as many news sources as I can. Science Daily reports on the latest science news and research from throughout the world and has collected a number of great articles on environmental issues facing golf. Check them out below:

Wildlife and Habitat Issues

Golfers and Golf Courses Benefit from Native Grasses in Rough

Golfers Beware! Deer Ticks Lurking in the Rough

Could Golf Courses Double as Wildlife Sanctuaries?

Pesticide Issues

Site of US Open Reducing Pesticides (Excellent Article)

Golfing Towards a Greener Environment

Purdue Golf Course Serves as Environmental Research Lab

Putting Doesn't Pollute - Research Finds

Better Golf Course Chemical Management with "KTURF" website
Website found here

Plants can make Golf Courses Better by Filtering Pesticides
We covered this issue in one of our own articles, find it here.

Inhalation of Golf Courses Pesticide Causes "Minimal Health Risk"

Scientists Battle Cold Weather Mold

Water Quality

Wetlands Clean Water and may Control Neigborhood Flooding Issues

Commercial Aquatic Plants offer Cost-Effective Method for Treating Waste Water

Good Source of Information: Golfdom

I subscribe to a number of golf publications to keep up to date with industry advancements. I've cut my print subscriptions down throughout the years and instead sign up for a lot of web-based e-zines.

One of which is the Golfdom Insider. Golfdom is a great source of information for anyone who works in the golf industry, they aim to be an "upscale publication designed to fill the niche between the highly technical association journal and the newsy tabloids".

They cover a huge amount of environmental issues, here's a few links from their site:

Joe Hubbard - The Natural

ASGCA Issues Sustainable Development Guidelines

From Food Waste to Fertilizer

Solar Golf Cars

Audubon in Action

Turfgrass Trends (a number of links)

Environment Still Number 1 Concern For Golf

Podcasts : Biodeisel, Snow Mold (Mould for you Canadians), Syngenta Professional Products - Meridian insecticide

Videos: Fertilizer Prices, Golf and Environment,

Anti Golf Ads

I'm not sure what the situation in Turkey is in regards to fresh water supply and golf course development, so I'll let you decide on whether these ads are justified.



“A golf course means the absorption of 15000 cubic metres of water! Millions of cubic metres of water will be spent for the irrigation of the new golfing facilities to be built on our Southern shores. The water resources of the region are indeed too limited to meet the needs of the new facilities. Help us to prevent this.”



“200,000 trees with one strike! Millions of m3s of water will be spent for the irrigation of the new golfing facilities to be built on our Southern shores. The water resources of the region are indeed too limited to meet the needs of the new facilities. Help us to prevent this.”

Background on Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

If you haven't heard of the Audubon program for golf courses, your probably on the wrong site. Here's a little background for you, from Audubon:

"The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Course is an award winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf operations, the program serves as vital resource for golf courses.

Getting involved is easy. Membership is open to golf courses in the United States and internationally, including private clubs, public and municipal courses, PGA sites, 9-hole facilities, resort courses, and golf residential communities. After joining the program, your next step is to take stock of environmental resources and potential liabilities, and then develop an environmental plan that fits your unique setting, goals, staff, budget, and time. Audubon International provides a Site Assessment and Environmental Planning Form to provide guidance, as well as educational information to help you with:

Environmental Planning Wildlife and Habitat Management Chemical Use Reduction and Safety

Water Conservation Water Quality Management Outreach and Education

Based on a site specific report provided by Audubon International, you develop a plan that works for your golf course. By implementing and documenting environmental management practices in the above areas, a golf course is eligible for designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, improving its stature and reputation."

They just released a new website with a whole bunch of great information, unfortunately I can't post links to anything so instead go there yourself and check it out www.auduboninternational.org, be sure to check out the map page which lists both the number of courses and the total percentage of courses within each state.

Buffer Zones, Filtration Strips and Naturalization

Buffer Zone at CaledonWoods Golf Club, Ontario Canada.

There is so much info out there on buffer zones so I've decided to just compile a bunch of it here.
Note: I'll be updating this post as I find more articles.

Follow Link for "Landuse Buffer Zone Standards" *GREAT OVERALL GUIDE*

Follow this link for "Buffer Strip Techniques for Golf Courses"

Follow Link for "Buffer Zone Vegetation"

Follow Link for "Core Habitat, Not Buffer Zone"

Follow Link for a great list of Buffer Zone Articles by the Turfgrass Information Centers TGIF Database

Wikipedia

More to a flower than meets the eye (warning: shamless self plug)

As many of you know I run a business called Out on a Limb where I provide golf courses with various environmental services. I was recently planting a buffer zone at a high end Toronto golf club and was asked by a member "why did you choose those plants?".

There are many things to consider while planning a buffer zone, I personally like to follow the Permaculture principle of planning for at least three beneficial characteristics resulting from the one project. In order to do this successfully each site must be considered on an individual basis. The slope/grade, soil type, playability, aesthetics, biodiversity, plant function and possible maintenance requirements should all be considered while planning for the specific planting site. Some of the benefits realized by considering the above features of a planting project include erosion control, habitat corridor linkages, nutrient filtration, beautification, fuel conservation (no more mowing), shading (important role of many urban projects) and many more.

The debate between native and non-native material is ongoing, when it comes down to it I evaluate material for buffer zones based upon the functions the client wants from the project. For example - if they are looking for something that is primarily aesthetically pleasing I'll use plants that produce showy flowers. This is where the designer, according to that permaculture principle mentioned above, must consider other beneficial characteristics of the plant for this particular site.

Lets use the native Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) for example, Iris's are commonly used in moist planting areas, and produce large flowers that golfers love. They are low enough to the ground that they wont pose too much of a difficult feature to play. Iris's can help define a hole by offering a visual reference for yardages or common out of bounds areas, and of course they provide nectar to bees. Another lesser known but extremely beneficial characteristic is their ability to filter pesticides. Now I'm in no way condoning or promoting the irresponsible use of pesticides that would lead to pest control products leaching into a body of water, what I am saying is that we should employ specific species capable of removing these chemicals if they are released into the environment, it would be irresponsible not to.

“Studies from golf greens have shown that 5 percent to 10 percent of the total pesticides applied are lost in runoff. In worst case conditions, this figure can be as high as 30 percent,” says John Clark, a professor of veterinary and animal science at UMass (taken from this article). “We have identified plant species that can reduce the amount of certain pesticides in soil by up to 94 percent in the greenhouse.”

Out of the ten herbaceous plants tested Blue flag iris was the clear winner, able to reduce levels of the insecticide chlorpyriphos (EPA Info here, fact sheet here) by 76 percent and levels of the fungicide chlorothalonil (Info here and here) by 94 percent in soil after three months of growth.

I will continue to write articles about plants that could be used to fulfill the many functions that we need them to on golf courses. I'll be tagging them under the function titles of erosion control, habitat corridor linkages, nutrient filtration, beautification, fuel conservation (no more mowing), shading (important role of many urban projects) and many more.


For more information about bioremediation techniques used on golf courses check out the links below:

Wikipedia

The Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Pesticide-contaminated Sites - Prepared by Chris Frazar National Network of Environmental Studies (NNEMS) Fellow

Pesticide Residues in Grass Clippings Raise Concerns - BNET

Selection of Plants for Optimization of Vegetative Filter Strips Treating Runoff from Turfgrass

Kleen Drinking Water

Many golf courses have taken steps to ensure golfers of the safety of on-course drinking water, despite their attempts there are still cases of golfers tracing illnesses to on-course water supplies. We're not talking about drinking water from a pond, we'll talking about the coolers set out on the course by staff who may, or may not, of washed the cooler correctly. This has led many courses to provide plastic bottles of drinking water, but with the recent concern about plastics (specifically Bisphenol A, check out Wikipedia for more info) and the increase in waste this creates some courses are looking for a cleaner greener option.

I was in the pro-shop of Toronto's famous Rosedale Golf Club the other week and saw that they have trouble keeping Klean Kanteens on the shelf. "All the members want them" I was told. Well here's the best way for you to get your hands on these products seeing that the stores are having troubles: www.ourbackyard.ca or find a Canadian retailer through www.oneworlddistribution.ca

A Tired Solution?

Laying old car tire crumbs underneath a golf green doesn't sound like a great idea, until you speak to University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers. They've been able to demonstrate how "ground-up tires placed beneath golf course greens absorb excess chemicals from fertilizers and help prevent groundwater contamination". Check out the article here.

But I am a little concerned about the rubber leaching, this study suggests there is reason to worry - "components of crumb rubber produced from tires, volatilize into the vapor phase and are leached into water in contact with the crumbs".

We'll see where this goes in the future, nevertheless I am intrigued by its potential recycling/re-use capacity and pollution prevention characteristics.