by Dave Doherty

OK…we’ve had hundreds of meetings. We’ve done all of our homework. We’ve selected an architect and a construction company, and chosen the type of grass for surfacing or resurfacing our greens.

We’ve had the sands that are available to us analyzed frontwards and backwards, upside down and inside out. We’ve have lab certification of what the physical properties will be for all of our possible different root zone mixes, using each of the different sands with both organic materials and inorganic amendments in ratios of 100/00, 95/05, 90/10, 85/15, 80/20 and sometimes 75/25. We’ve crossed our Ts and dotted our Is and are ready to go forward with our project with great anticipation, but maybe a little apprehension.

By Dave Doherty

In my last article, “Testing Greens when they are Healthy is a Must”, a superintendent in the U.S. Gulf Coast area was planning to adjust his aerification program after our ISTRC visit to his course.    The superintendent made the decision to modify his aerification program based on the physical property testing over the last few years and what was found during the ISTRC site visit.

Boardroom Yarn # 30

by Dave Doherty

Fifteen years ago most greens testing was done on stressed greens, because as an industry we’ve always been reactive instead of proactive when it comes to the turf care of our golf greens.

Boardroom Yarn # 29

by Dave Doherty

Recently I had occasion to go back and look at some of the reports that I had written some 20 years ago, and in so doing realized how far we have come in regards to useful science since those early days in regards to the physical properties of sports turf root zones. 

by Dave Doherty

The last few years have been the toughest, roughest, most stressful and difficult years the sports turf industry has ever known.  First the recession that started sometime in the year 2008 and continues today.  In many parts of North America the recession in regards to employment and available recreational dollars is worse today [November – December 2011] than in the years 2008, 2009 and 2010.  Most would agree that this difficult time has been ongoing for over three years and shows no signs of getting better in the near future. 

From his Boardroom Yarn Series, David L. Doherty in his July/ August 2011column reminds us of a couple of agronomy truths.