Virginia Golfer Sep / Oct 2019 | Page 27

Golf Course Superintendents Take Stewardship Seriously THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE AT YOUR FAVORITE VIRGINIA GOLF COURSE, take a good look around. Notice the blooming pollinator gardens that are buzzing with activity by bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Pay attention to the songbirds, the raptors in the treetops, the foxes, wild turkeys and other wildlife stirring beyond the fairways. Note how the grass is a little taller around the water hazards and how native plant areas have emerged in strategic areas throughout the course. Notice too, how the ponds and streams are clear, lacking the scummy surfaces of water bodies clogged and suffering from too many chemical inputs that fortify algae growth. Finally, notice the care your golf course superintendent has taken to make your course a managed choreography of land and water, beau- ty and functionality, while the turf you play is showcased as a healthy, predictable surface on which your favorite hours are often spent. vsga.org S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 19 | V I R G I N I A G O L F E R 25