Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008 - (Page 20)

FEATURE superintendents and managers will still have to fine-tune sitespecific needs on a day-to-day basis. AUDUBON COOPERATIVE SANCTUARY PROGRAM FOR GOLF COURSES: Further researches led me on a path to the International Audubon Sanctuary Program, and specifically to the Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP). What piques my interest most is not the number of golf courses that have achieved this distinction, but why there is only one in the Inland Empire. The PGA of Southern California Golf Club in Beaumont is the only course in the region to receive this award. Recently acquired and under the new name of East Valley Golf Club, this course is still home to the PGA. The golf superintendent is an affable subject matter expert by the name of Casey Gnadt. He drove me around his operation and patiently explained the complexity of the operation. On the resource side, the course operates its own water treatment plant. Gnadt is a certified water treatment expert and the course is self-sufficient, providing its own potable water. On the tools side, Gnadt utilizes the Toro SitePro© system to manage water application for the entire course. “Water use is our number one concern, especially with tight resources. We want to make sure to monitor our soil and plant moisture levels on a daily basis to make sure we do not misuse a single drop. We also use a post suppression pesticide program that greatly reduces our pesticide use in half by only applying what we need to put down where it needs to go. We have two natural wetlands that we keep protected to ensure proper wildlife living conditions and to not let any contaminants into their environments.” The site has its own weather system and is able to calculate the necessary amounts of water based on Evapotranspiration. This still requires personal observation due to the number of micro-climates across the property. Since the course opened, Gnadt has maintained comprehensive records of water application. I would encourage golf superintendents and managers to visit Gnadt and view his operation. CALIFORNIA IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM (CIMIS): Many golf courses I visited have their own weather station tied to a computerized smart control system. But, what about courses that have yet to purchase a station? This answer comes from Dr. Wu and Mike Henry of UCR. The California Irrigation Management Information System is a system of state-maintained weather stations across California. CIMIS was developed in 1982 by the California Department of Water Resources and the University of California, Davis to assist California’s irrigators to manage their water resources efficiently. There are 27 stations within San Bernardino and Riverside counties, one of which is located at UCR. This tool, along with advisories from water agencies and public utilities aids in decision-making for those eager to cut back on water 20 March 2008 INLAND EMPIRE GOLFER usage. Residential and business owners may view the station information closest to them via CIMIS’ Web site: www.cimis.water.ca.gov. SIXTY PERCENT OF LANDSCAPE WATER CAN BE RECYCLED: Martha Davis from Inland Empire Utilities Agency estimates that 60 per cent of water is thrown on the ground for landscaping use. The opportunity exists to recycle this water. Studies and plans are being reviewed to capture these opportunities. In the City of Riverside, Riverside Public Utilities has begun the process of developing a master plan to guide the phase expansion of the water system and increasing use of recycled water for municipal, industrial, irrigation, and agricultural . Courses that currently use their own water on site for irrigation may plan now for future ties into a recycled water line. The time is now for stakeholders to involve themselves in the process. Ali Sahabi, CEO and President of SE Corporation, is a proponent of recycling and conservation. It is evident throughout the Dos Lagos complex, including the Dos Lagos Golf Course. “Sustainability is more of a case of balancing environmental, social, and economic needs of the community”. The course opened last year in Corona, situated among the setting of a former mining operation. As players wind along Temescal Creek or in the foothills, they are invited to look at the Dos Lagos Course brochure on environmental friendly design. See the site at www.doslagos.net and www.giveforthefuture.org. Sahabi’s approach to encourage conservation and smart urban development with the Green Valley Initiative, took me on another tack. Most golf courses recycle their “green” matter and use it for composting. Not only do the courses conserve water from evaporation, but it has an indirect consequence of water savings through energy reduction avoiding hauling and filling landfills. Are courses doing more than this green recycling? Ask Casey at East Valley and you’ll discover that he has an incentive program to recycle cans and bottles on a daily basis, with the money going back to the employees to buy work boots and the like, as well as morale building activities like picnics. If you don't have your own aluminum/plastic/paper recycling program, partner with local volunteer groups, especially during golf tournaments. In a field of 144 tournament players, if each player consumed five bottled or canned drinks that are recycled, the immediate value is $36 for your youth golf program, local school or charity. The item that may be recycled is dependent upon your service provider. Visit the California Department of Conservation CRV Products list at www.conservation.ca.gov/DOR/CRVinOutList.pdf. The Western Riverside Council of Governments offer suggestions on recycling, including conducting a waste audit. Go to www.wcrog.cog.ca.us. www.inlandempiregolfer.com http://www.cimis.water.ca.gov http://www.doslagos.net http://www.giveforthefuture.org http://www.conservation.ca.gov/DOR/CRVinOutList.pdf http://www.wcrog.cog.ca.us http://www.inlandempiregolfer.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008

Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008 Contents Cover Story: Shenzhen China & The Inland Empire The Looming Water Shortage Artificial Turf Demand Grows Leisure Living Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Mechanics Of The Bunker Shot The Proper Golf Swing Motion Callaway Squareways What's New? How Well Do You Know The Rules? Golf Course Reviews IE Golf Course Directory

Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008

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