The Top Ten in Turf for a Golf Course Superintendent

I am often asked about what I do as a golf course superintendent to ensure the golf course is healthy, well-managed and ready for play. I have a broad range of responsibilities aimed at ensuring the course is in optimal condition for play today and tomorrow. Here are the top ten priorities for taking care of our beautiful course:

1.  Turfgrass Management:

• Ensuring the health and quality of the turfgrass through proper mowing, fertilization, irrigation, and applications of timely preventative pesticides when necessary.

2.  Irrigation and Water Management:

• Managing the irrigation system to ensure efficient application of our reclaimed water.
• Implementing water conservation strategies and ensuring compliance with local water regulations.

3.  Pest and Disease Control:

• Monitoring the environment and potentially favorable conditions for diseases and pests that can damage turf.
• Using integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to minimize chemical use and selecting products that are as safe for the environment as possible.
• The safety of our golfers and local critters, right down to the beneficial microscopic organisms in the soil is of paramount importance to me.

4.  Soil Health and Fertility:

• Management of my budget, considering timing, weather conditions and play in the planning and application of fertilizers and amendments.
• Conducting soil tests to monitor pH levels, nutrient content, and soil structure.
• Applying the appropriate fertilizers and soil amendments to maintain soil health, especially with our reclaimed water in mind.

5.  Course Playability and Aesthetics:

• Ensuring the course is playable daily for the enjoyment and challenge of our golfers.
• Managing the maintenance of the golf course tee to green and everything in between. 
• Attention to detail to provide a visually appealing product.

6.  Equipment Maintenance and Management:

• Ensuring all maintenance equipment is in good working order.
• Scheduling regular maintenance and repairs to avoid downtime.

7.  Environmental Stewardship:

• Implementing sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of course maintenance.
• Managing wildlife habitats and promoting biodiversity on the course.

8.  Staff Management and Training:

• Hiring, training, and supervising my greenskeepers and keeping them happy, safe and motivated.

9.  Budgeting and Financial Management:

• Preparing and managing the maintenance budget effectively, including costs for labor, equipment, and supplies.

10. Weather Monitoring and Management:

• Keeping an eye on weather conditions and forecasts to adjust maintenance practices accordingly.
• Preparing for and managing the impact of extreme weather events on the course.

These topics encompass a wide range of duties that require a combination of agronomic knowledge, environmental awareness and managerial skills. Superintendents must balance these priorities to ensure the golf course is maintained to a high standard while also being sustainable and cost-effective.

Talking to golfers is crucial for making them aware of the importance of their assistance in taking care of our golf course to include repairing ball marks, awareness of traffic patterns, repairing ball marks, divots, raking bunkers and REPAIRING BALL MARKS!

Food for thought…

The putting surface on a golf course is where practice is rewarded, dreams are crushed, arrogance is brought back to reality, hopes are realized, prayers may be answered and a smile is as likely to be produced as a tear. NONE of these is possible without the conscious efforts of our golfers to repair their ball mark and one other.