As a part of our class on environmental management for golf courses, we each wrote an essay on the topic of what is sustainable golf. The essay I wrote focuses on what the definition of sustainability is and how we apply that definition to a golf course setting.
Click here to be taken to my essay "What is Sustainable Golf?"
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
AGSA Property Manager's Conference
From Monday, Nov 28 to Tuesday, Nov 29 I had the pleasure of attending the Alberta Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) Property Manager's Conference. This conference provides educational seminars to industry professionals in the areas of turfgrass management, horticultural management, mechanics, and irrigation. My fellow classmates and I got to sit in on some quality education and I hope to apply what I've learnt. It's also a great chance to meet others in the industry, and I got to meet some superintendents from all over Alberta.
I was honored to receive the AGSA Student Scholarship during the conference. This award consists of a monetary gift and certificate of recognition. I am humbled and thankful for being honored with this award. The money will go directly to furthering my education by allowing me to attend the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association Conference and Trade show in Calgary this year. Thanks again to the AGSA for your support.
I was honored to receive the AGSA Student Scholarship during the conference. This award consists of a monetary gift and certificate of recognition. I am humbled and thankful for being honored with this award. The money will go directly to furthering my education by allowing me to attend the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association Conference and Trade show in Calgary this year. Thanks again to the AGSA for your support.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Enviro Blog: Innovation Goals
This post is a part of the TRF 4100 environmental blog assignment
Olds College is a leader in innovation and the 3-hole golf course should reflect this. There are many opportunities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our practices in the turf industry. We hope to explore these areas of innovation and show others our results.
Power Usage
The amount of money spent on electricity is substantial at golf courses. The majority of expenses come from running the pumphouse on the course. Is there any way we can decrease the amount of money spent on electricity? We believe there is.
First, let's look inside the maintenance shop. A light switch can easily be left on when nobody is in the shop. This is a waste of electricity. Normal light switches could be swapped for motion sensor lights. Updating heating systems to more efficient appliances can greatly reduce the power used. Something as simple as ensuring windows and doors are closed can also reduce the power used for heating. Still using incandescent light bulbs? Try switching to the new eco-friendly bulbs that are available that need far less electricity to run. What about old air compressors? Hearing the constant hum of air compressors running in the shop is not uncommon. Either updating to new compressors or only plugging them in when necessary might stop the constant hum.
Now for out on the course. Probably the main drain on power is the pumphouse. Research should be done into how you pay for your power. Some provinces provide discounts for irrigation pumps. By putting a separate meter on your pumphouse, you could pay less for the power that is used. There is also the potential for experimenting with solar and wind power. Solar panels can be added to the pumphouse to help power the pumps and reduce electricity consumption from the grid.
Composting
Neighbouring the location of the 3-hole course is the Olds College Composting Program. This site uses compost from all over campus and the town of Olds to create high quality compost. The use of compost on golf courses is increasing, and people are beginning to wonder where it can be applied.
The 3-hole course can contribute to the composting program. Clippings from mowers and branches can be sent to the compost facility to be used. This eliminates the need for a "bone yard" or organic waste dump on the course.
The course can also benefit from the composting program. Experiments can be performed to find out if compost is an effective amendment to golf course soils. Topdressing the rough and fairways on the course could provide valuable nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Because compost can be extremely variable, green applications of compost will be avoided.
Equipment
With the advent of electric and hybrid cars, maintenance equipment is beginning to utilize this same technology. Companies such as Toro, John Deere, and Jacobsen are now offering electric and hybrid versions of their equipment. The course would be a perfect place to demo this equipment and run experiments to compare the efficiency between them. Which is best for the environment? Which uses the least fuel?
There is also a biodiesel plant on campus that creates biodiesel out of seed and oil. Diesel equipment could be powered using biodiesel as a fuel source. Research could be performed on the efficacy of this fuel source and whether it is reliable.
Pesticides
The use of pesticides remains a hotly debated topic. Many are calling for their ban as professionals who use the products point out their safety when used properly. Right now, many courses do not have adequate means of storing pesticides and rinsing equipment. This provides and opportunity for the 3-hole course to be a leader in innovation.
There are many self-contained wash bays coming onto the market. By purchasing one of these, the Olds course can monitor its use and provide data on just how useful it is. One such product available is the ESD waste 2 water wash pads. They also provide small storage sheds that meet all requirements of the Alberta government for pesticide storage. The course can provide an example to visiting superintendents and demonstrate the usefulness of these items.
Olds College is a leader in innovation and the 3-hole golf course should reflect this. There are many opportunities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of our practices in the turf industry. We hope to explore these areas of innovation and show others our results.
Power Usage
The amount of money spent on electricity is substantial at golf courses. The majority of expenses come from running the pumphouse on the course. Is there any way we can decrease the amount of money spent on electricity? We believe there is.
First, let's look inside the maintenance shop. A light switch can easily be left on when nobody is in the shop. This is a waste of electricity. Normal light switches could be swapped for motion sensor lights. Updating heating systems to more efficient appliances can greatly reduce the power used. Something as simple as ensuring windows and doors are closed can also reduce the power used for heating. Still using incandescent light bulbs? Try switching to the new eco-friendly bulbs that are available that need far less electricity to run. What about old air compressors? Hearing the constant hum of air compressors running in the shop is not uncommon. Either updating to new compressors or only plugging them in when necessary might stop the constant hum.
Now for out on the course. Probably the main drain on power is the pumphouse. Research should be done into how you pay for your power. Some provinces provide discounts for irrigation pumps. By putting a separate meter on your pumphouse, you could pay less for the power that is used. There is also the potential for experimenting with solar and wind power. Solar panels can be added to the pumphouse to help power the pumps and reduce electricity consumption from the grid.
Composting
Neighbouring the location of the 3-hole course is the Olds College Composting Program. This site uses compost from all over campus and the town of Olds to create high quality compost. The use of compost on golf courses is increasing, and people are beginning to wonder where it can be applied.
The 3-hole course can contribute to the composting program. Clippings from mowers and branches can be sent to the compost facility to be used. This eliminates the need for a "bone yard" or organic waste dump on the course.
The course can also benefit from the composting program. Experiments can be performed to find out if compost is an effective amendment to golf course soils. Topdressing the rough and fairways on the course could provide valuable nutrients and organic matter to the soil. Because compost can be extremely variable, green applications of compost will be avoided.
Equipment
With the advent of electric and hybrid cars, maintenance equipment is beginning to utilize this same technology. Companies such as Toro, John Deere, and Jacobsen are now offering electric and hybrid versions of their equipment. The course would be a perfect place to demo this equipment and run experiments to compare the efficiency between them. Which is best for the environment? Which uses the least fuel?
There is also a biodiesel plant on campus that creates biodiesel out of seed and oil. Diesel equipment could be powered using biodiesel as a fuel source. Research could be performed on the efficacy of this fuel source and whether it is reliable.
Pesticides
The use of pesticides remains a hotly debated topic. Many are calling for their ban as professionals who use the products point out their safety when used properly. Right now, many courses do not have adequate means of storing pesticides and rinsing equipment. This provides and opportunity for the 3-hole course to be a leader in innovation.
There are many self-contained wash bays coming onto the market. By purchasing one of these, the Olds course can monitor its use and provide data on just how useful it is. One such product available is the ESD waste 2 water wash pads. They also provide small storage sheds that meet all requirements of the Alberta government for pesticide storage. The course can provide an example to visiting superintendents and demonstrate the usefulness of these items.
Enviro Blog: Outreach and Education
This post is a part of the TRF 4100 environmental blog assignment
An important sectionof the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is outreach and education. The following are several ideas that could happen in the future at the Olds College 3-hole golf course.
An important sectionof the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is outreach and education. The following are several ideas that could happen in the future at the Olds College 3-hole golf course.
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1. Host tours for students at Olds High School
This is an outreach event that could happen every year. More and more schools are teaching students about ecology and environmental issues. What better place to do it then on an Audubon certified site? An opportunity like this could show students the benefits that golf courses provide to a community and the environment. At the same time, it could encourage students to consider future careers in the golf industry.
2. Open the course to the Olds Art Club or the Foothills Camera Club
3. Provide educational experiences to Olds College Students
This opportunity is almost a certainty. Olds College students will be given a chance to come and explore the course and hear about the ways we are promoting sustainability. Turfgrass management students can be given practical opportunities to build features on the course and operate equipment. Land and water students can observe how we use naturalized areas to filter water and promote wildlife on the course. This occasion provides the course help with any projects on the course that need to be done, while at the same time giving students practical learning opportunities.
4. Partner with the composting site on campus and provide seminars to the public
The course already plans on partnering with the Olds College composting program. This partnership provides an opportunity to educate the citizens of Olds on proper composting techniques. They can come and see how we compost our clippings and then use this compost on the course. Not only does this provide practical education to members of the public, but it also raises awareness of our environmental practices on the course and on campus.
Aububon International provides the following documents to help you plan and organize outreach events.
Choosing Outreach Projects
Programs for Schools and Youth
Creating a Culture of Environmental Stewardship
Enviro Blog: Integrated Pest Management
This post is a part of the TRF 4100 environmental blog assignment
Our IPM plan for the 3-hole course utilizes the following best management practices. Thresholds and monitoring practices are general guidelines and each identified pest requires specific thresholds, monitoring practices, and management strategies:
Our IPM plan for the 3-hole course utilizes the following best management practices. Thresholds and monitoring practices are general guidelines and each identified pest requires specific thresholds, monitoring practices, and management strategies:
- Active measures will be taken to identify pests on the course. Identified pests will be entered into a database of know course pests. This will include arthropods, weeds, and diseases.
- Monitoring for these arthropods and diseases will be done when environmental conditions favor their development.
- Monitoring for aggressive, invasive weeds will be done monthly to record progress of the weeds and effectiveness of control strategies.
- Applications of chemicals and any cultural practices done to deter or control pests will be recorded and include the following information: name of applicator, date, reason, pest, control, and effectiveness.
- Signage must be posted to inform guests and members of any pesticide applications on the golf course
- Re-entry intervals of pesticides must be followed to ensure safety of staff and golfers
- Environmental data will be recorded daily to help predict conditions favorable to pests
- The image provides general guidelines for damage caused by different pests in different areas of the course. These thresholds guidelines are based on the priority of the area and the ability of those areas to resist different pests:
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