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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
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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.”
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