Golf Inc - August 2008 - (Page 18)

route the course and then try to get it time, Carlson got to specify high tolerapproved, he invited stakeholders and ance species that included A-1 bentgrass environmentally interested parties such on the greens, Colonial fescue on the fairas The Center for Resource Management ways and L-93 bent on the tees. Irrigation and Friends of the Earth to help iden- averages only 150,000 gallons per day. tify the most highly sensitive areas of the Cultural practices include using bacilproperty. Only once he had gotten a con- lus and lichenformis for dollar spot, sensus did he route the golf course. nematodes for grub control and also In addit ion to experimenting with d i f fe re nt g re e ns construction methods, other environmental conservation efforts included using recycled a s pha lt for c ar t paths, using sludge f rom t h e s e w e r treatment plant to fertilize, and grinding up driftwood and mixing it with sand to create organic material. They also worked with Mass Audubon in establishing verSuperintendent Jeff Carlson has gotten a crash course in nal pools, a bird environmentally friendly maintenance practices at The Vineyard Golf Club and other Cape Cod assignments. count to identify species diversity and the establishment of a purple martin using pheromones to disrupt their matbird colony. ing patterns and regular top dressing. In the meanwhile, three competing Waypuna, a wetting agent, is mixed with groups were vying to build a high-end hot water and applied to weeds. private course on the island of Martha’s Being a private club in a seasonal locaVineyard, off the coast of Cape Cod. tion, Vineyard Golf Club only sees about One group led by investor Owen 8,000 rounds per year, which Carlson Larkin, a USGA rules official and com- acknowledges helps on maintenance. mittee member, after years of contentious “I’ve tried to explain to the members local opposition, won the right to build a that the conditions will not always be course on 225 acres in Edgartown. pristine and they’ve been very good about Because the site was identified as sit- that,” Carlson said. “In fact, we just had a ting on top of the island’s drinking water new member join the club (ital) because aquifer, the approval came with the condi- (ital) we are organic. That’s a first.” tion that no synthetic fertilizers or pestiAs an award winner for environmencides could be used to maintain the prop- tal stewardship, is everything perfect for erty. That was how The Vineyard Golf Carlson? Almost. Club, designed by Donald Steel, became “ I’d give my eye teeth for just one America’s first totally organic golf course. application of herbicide,” he said —Wayne Mills Being involved from the beginning this 18 Golf Inc. August 2008 http://www.pearson-architects.com http://www.pearson-architects.com http://www.hghb.net http://www.hghb.net http://donaldsteel.com/index1.htm

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Golf Inc - August 2008

Golf Inc - August 2008 Contents Editors Column Around the Industry: Big Green in Arizona Data Collectors Combine Forces GPSI Hires Chessler, Files Suit Americas Europe/Africa Asia/Australia Machrihanish Dunes Draws on the Past to Make History Again in Scotland Innovative Superintendent Finds Way to Keep the Nation's First Totally Organic Course Green Latest Clubhouse Designs Reflect Changing Lifestyles: It's All About Casual Camelback Conference Brochure More Operators Embracing Initiatives Aimed at Bringing Families Together on the Golf Course State of the Industry 2008 Muni Maddness? The Last Word

Golf Inc - August 2008

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