Virginia Golfer Sep / Oct 2019 | Page 31

RED SQUIRREL Water conservation has also been a key concern. Many Virginia courses have replaced antiquated irrigation systems in recent years with more efficient systems that both save water and allow for more targeted irrigation. Springfield replaced its irrigation sys- tem in 2012 and Wheeler estimates his course is saving nearly 25 percent com- pared to previous water usage. It also pulls water from a six-acre lake on the property that is replenished by rainwater. Kingsmill has incorporated more drought-tolerant grasses and moved away from the annual practice of rye-grass over-seeding, which required consider- able water and nutrient usage. The resort also uses moisture meters on its courses to provide a metric reading on the amount of moisture available in the soil. “There is never a time when we are add- ing more moisture than we need to add,” Doran said. “Very seldom do we have to add extra water throughout the day to our tees, fairways and roughs.” Located within the 100-year flood plain of the Potomac River, Augustin’s team pays close attention to water quality at Belle Haven, regularly testing water at six different sites on the course. Water is tested at its point of origin as it enters the course, in ponds, in a retention pond in the clubhouse parking lot, in an adjacent creek and as it exits the course. “One thing we’re really happy to see is that as the water goes through our prop- erty, it’s cleaner when it leaves than it was when it came in,” Augustin said. While the industry has been able to offer superintendents more tools and greater education to align their course management practices with the environ- ment, superintendents have also become vsga.org RED-TAILED HAWK BLUEBIRD EGGS more savvy in informing members and players about maintenance activities at their courses. Chris Harriman, superintendent at Hermitage Country Club, writes a regu- lar blog updating his members on such events as grass sprigging, aeration and irrigation issues. In one blog, he advised members that aeration keeps the turf “healthy and consistent for the rest of the season” and that it also “keeps the surfaces firm and playable.” Other superintendent blogs discuss water usage and the merits of water con- servation, helping golfers understand the changes they often see. “I think golf course superintendents believe we’re all good stewards of the environment,” said Augustin. “We want to have a great golf course, but we also want to have an active ecosystem. “And I think our membership wants an environmentally sound property,” he added. “It goes all the way from the clubhouse recycling program to how we apply pesticides and fertilizers around the property. We always want to do the right thing.” 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 29