Green Section Webcasts

Pat Gross and Brian Whitlark discuss labor trends in the southwest, water conservation practices, transition issues, and the potential use of fine fescues in overseeding blends.

With bermudagrass across much of the country weakened by a hard winter, disease problems are likely to be more prevalent and more difficult to control. In this free USGA Green Section webcast, three prominent turfgrass pathologists give an update on important diseases of bermudagrass and offer helpful programs for controlling them throughout the year.  Speakers and their respective topics include:

Dr. Bruce Martin, Clemson University Professor of Turfgrass Pathology
“Effective Fungicide Programs for Bermudagrass Putting Greens”

Dr. Lee Miller, University of Missouri Extension Turfgrass Pathologist
“Managing Fairy Rings”

Dr. Phil Harmon, University of Florida Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology
“Disease Trends in the Southeast”

The design and daily operation of a sustainable maintenance facility is integral to today's golf maintenance operations. If a golf course is serious about implementing best management practices, along with environmental stewardship and good business procedures, a properly designed maintenance facility will be the foundation to achieve those goals.

Chris Hartwiger, senior agronomist of the Southeast Region of the Green Section, discusses the concept of precision turf management. This presentation was delivered at the joint meeting of the Carolinas GCSA and the SE Green Section on April 16, 2010 at the Pinehurst Resort.

This presentation focuses on the shade tolerance of new bermudagrass varieties and was delivered by Dr. Earl Elsner, Retired Director of the Georgia Seed Development Commission. The presentation was made at the 2010 USGA Green Section SE Regional Conference held on March 16 at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, NC.

Northwest region director, Larry Gilhuly, discusses how to harass geese and other pests using a green-light laser. This webcast is approximately 20 minutes in length.

This webcast is an entertaining summary of some of the Green Section's favorite gizmos, gadgets, and good ideas we have seen in our travels across the country. This is the first of a series on this topic and features various Green Section agronomists.

Topics include the control of Coots, great turf tips from the region, an update on Kikuyugrass control, and reducing aeration events to please golfers.

This webcast was one of the best attended and definitely the most interactive in terms of questions and answers. Mid-Continent director Bud White delivered the presentation while USGA agronomists Adam Moeller, Keith Happ, Todd Lowe, Brian Whitlark, Larry Gilhuly, and Jim Moore all pitched in with their observations from across the country. The presentation is about 45 minutes with the Q&A lasting another 30 to 40 minutes.

Six USGA agronomists discuss the impact of the severe cold that settled over the "bermudagrass belt" in January of 2010. The agronomists are Bud White of the Mid-Continent region, Chris Hartwiger and Pat O'Brien of the Southeast, John Foy and Todd Lowe of Florida, and Jim Moore.

The first of two webcasts designed to help those who would like to build their own putting green. This webcast focuses on site selection, equipment needs, and construction. The second webcast is entitled, "Turfgrass 101 for the Backyard Green" and will focus on the maintenance of the green.

This is an extremely timely topic that should be viewed by everyone involved with golf course management.

This is a presentation Chris Hartiwiger recorded for delivery to a turfgrass conference. He was supposed to deliver the presentation in person but travel was cancelled due to inclement weather.

The game of golf is played on 7 major types of turfgrass.  However, humans often forget that they are partners in the survival and health  of the surface upon which they play.

This webcast took place on November 13, 2009. Pat Gross, Brian Whitlark, Adam Moeller, and Derf Soller discuss a wide variety of turfgrass management issues including trees, green renovation, preparing greens for winter, and overseeding issues.

In addition to the personal satisfaction that comes from practicing good stewardship, receiving recognition for your efforts has numerous benefits.  Positive publicity can enhance your course reputation, improve employee morale and motivation, and generate member and community support for continued environmental efforts.  This presentation will cover the different perspectives of a club manager, golf professional, golf course superintendent, and a green committee official, and will discuss the unique opportunities that golf courses have to conduct and highlight environmental projects that benefit the course, environment, and community.

Todd Lowe of the Florida region discusses strategies for improving winter cosmetics, while minimizing the negative impacts of overseed competition on bermudagrass turf.

SW Region Director Pat Gross - Precision Water Management - NCGA Asst. Supt. Boot Camp Presentation

Agronomists Bud White and Ty McClellan present "Drought, Heat, and Poor Water Quality – A Recipe for Disaster"

Topics include mowing strategies, disease management, cultivation and topdressing, growth regulators, playability issues, fertility requirements, weed and bermudagrass control, and several other topics.  If your golf course is managing seashore paspalum, or are thinking about it, this webcast is for you.