Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008 - (Page 25)

he Inland Empire’s desert climate creates a high demand for water usage during summer. Lawn-care during the hottest months of the year (June to September) increases water consumption for local as well as national golf courses and home landscapes. According to the Environmental Protection Agency lawn care activities account for about 10 percent of hazardous air pollution. Statistics point to 56,000 gallons of water applied to the average residential lawn—that’s 50 to 70 percent of a typical water bill dedicated to landscaping. Gregory T. Dubose, president of Bella Group, Inc., and spokesperson for Synthetic Turf International, says many residential homeowners have made the switch from natural grass to synthetic turf to cut down on water consumption. “It is absolutely true that homeowners will realize a savings on water bills, landscaping costs and fertilizers and chemicals required to maintain a wellmanicured and lush lawn.” While Dubose doesn’t site any trade associations that officially endorse synthetic turf, he says landscape architects are specifying turf for projects as are numerous other industries facing drought conditions. Some water management groups are extending rebates through a pilot program of one dollar per square foot of lawn to homeowners who install artificial systems. We talked with vice president of operations at STI, Bill Hatfield, about effects of plasticized turf on the environment. “Running a lawnmower [over natural grass] emits fumes and fertilizing uses nitrites and phosphates that pollute our riverways and streams … 70 to 80 percent of [lawn] water strikes the surface and runs off, picking up pollutants and delivering them into storm drains and inter-coastal waterways.” Hatfield says artificial turf on the other hand, if installed properly, not only saves on water bills, but has a built-in drainage system consisting of a layer of gravel beneath the turf to create a reservoir catchment. Water (mostly from rain) rolls off quickly, gradually sinking into the ground to the watershed. “As we go through more and more drought and conservation concerns more and more artificial turf is being installed,” Hatfield claims. While researchers claim synthetic grass in extreme summer heats up like asphalt, Clark of player’s Choice says this is only in direct sunlight. “It can cool down with a hose.” He compares the heated plastic—not rubberized—turf, which is not biodegradable but recyclable, to the feel of trampolines in sunny locales. Stephen Cockerham, superintendent of Agricultural Operations at UCR, studies natural grass. He says his research reveals that synthetic turf is not useful in extreme heat for soccer players. “It can be 40 degrees hotter in summer than natural grass.” REGIONAL TURF COMPANIES EasyTurf 1-800-EASYTURF www.easyturf.com Player’s Choice 1-866-471-7274 www.playerschoicegreens.com Of course it doesn’t take as much water to cool down a faux field as it would to maintain a sod-terraced lawn. However, everyone agrees an important element for safe synthetic fields built to last 15 to 20 years is regular maintenance. “In theory, [synthetic grass] could possibly tolerate more traffic,” Cockerham says, referring to play fields within limited space. Temecula’s Mike Clark, president of Players Choice, a synthetic turf company whose motto is, ‘We’ll see you on the green,’ says the right artificial turf, coupled with the proper installation, is a viable option for everyone, but especially for those concerned with the environment and wasting water resources. If we can install an entertaining putting green or a realistic lawn that looks great 365 days per year, and save thousands of gallons of water, it makes perfect sense.’ IEG ~ by Allie Bullock Kagamaster www.inlandempiregolfer.com INLAND EMPIRE GOLFER March 2008 25 http://www.easyturf.com http://www.playerschoicegreens.com 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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