Golf Club Atlas
GolfClubAtlas.com => Golf Course Architecture Discussion Group => Topic started by: Chris Cupit on July 22, 2016, 12:23:12 PM
-
I know this seems incredibly self-serving (and I guess some of it is) but I want to highlight some of the great work my superintendent has been doing at my club. Mark Hoban and his staff are combining genuine research (a two year UGA turf trial whose data will be published soon) with a willingness to try new approaches throughout the property.
He has received great support and encouragement from people like Matt Shaffer at Merion, Dr. Gil Landry at UGA (an early skeptic who sees genuine promise in many of Mark's organics), Butch Gill, Palmer Maples, Randy Nichols, Dr. Clint Waltz, Dr. Brian Schwartz, Dr. Mussie Habteselassie, Dr. Paul Raymer, Dr. Tim Murphy, Emily Dobbs and too many others to mention here. (Now, we need more data and so we need more courses to be willing to try a more organic approach.)
This does not mean going 100% organic now or even ever, but it does mean considering changing the way we view the plant-soil relationship and looking at ways to incorporate more organics into the protocols. We are convinced this more holistic approach can lead to fewer synthetic inputs, healthier soils and ultimately far healthier plants.
This link is to an article about the first Organic Golf Day hosted at Rivermont this past Tuesday. There is a lot more research to do but early results are encouraging and I will certainly share the UGA complete trial report when it is done--I only have the executive summary now.
Golf has a great story to tell and part of that can and should be the positive impact courses can have on the environment.
http://www.turfnet.com/news.html/_/field-day-shares-experience-with-organics-and-native-grasses-r728
-
Thanks for this, Chris.
I think there must be much ancient/traditional wisdom waiting to be unearthed and rediscovered and revisioned (for golf specific purposes) via Mark's new methods and experimentation.
The companion planting and perma culture approach -- ie understanding and utilizing the *relationship* between various types of vegetation/grasses and inputs and soils and water and worms/bugs -- seems prudent and wise at all times, but especially in times such as these.
All the best. If there were many more like you and Mark involved in course ownership and maintenance, golf's future would be much brighter.
Peter
-
"Hoban also has established 28 bird boxes throughout the Rivermont property, which are managed by women who are members at the club."
Complete genius. This thread may get lost for now, but in 20 years, hopefully it will be found by the "Next Google".
-
Sorry I missed the "day" but I did stop by with my son to weeks ago to see Mark and all his stuff....you were gone....
-
Great stuff; thanks for sharing this.
-
Sorry I missed the "day" but I did stop by with my son to weeks ago to see Mark and all his stuff....you were gone....
I heard you were coming ;D
Sorry Imissed you--I just got back from US. Junior Am--maybe that was it? Hope you enjoyed things.
-
"Hoban also has established 28 bird boxes throughout the Rivermont property, which are managed by women who are members at the club."
Complete genius. This thread may get lost for now, but in 20 years, hopefully it will be found by the "Next Google".
Ha. Not sure that's the quote he wants remembered forever on the internet and it certainly reads a bit awkward. Mark is trying to engage our Members and neighbors and the idea is to have them involved which has been cool. Our three ladies groups monitor and track the nesting of the birds and Mark is now trying to get the neighborhood garden club to "take over" a 1/2 acre plot dedicated to wildflowers and other pollinator plants. People enjoy getting involved and it helps spread the word about the non "toxic" side of golf courses :)
-
Go ahead and blow your own horn... your making great music!
The next time I get to this area, I definitely want to stop at Rivermont to see Chris and staffs excellent course, program and facility.
-
Very cool!
-
Good news indeed. I hope the Rivermont report gets the attention it deserves.
Congrats Chris.
Bob