The annual Ultradwarf Surface Management Workshop – organized by USGA Green Section agronomists in the Southeast Region – allows outstanding superintendents to share the secrets of their success with attendees in a one-of-a-kind workshop. This year’s workshop was held June 29 at The Peninsula Club in Cornelius, N.C. The event was cohosted by Jarod Nemitz, superintendent at The Peninsula Club, and Rodney Lingle, superintendent at Memphis Country Club in Memphis, Tenn. The workshop began with an indoor education session before moving outdoors for demonstrations of key cultural practices that put theory into practice.
Why Many Attendees Make the Long Trip
Participants, many who have attended multiple workshops, traveled from Texas, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Why do superintendents travel hundreds of miles to attend the same workshop every year? Perhaps the reason is that this workshop is a unique blend of classroom education and on-course demonstrations. While articles or presentations may refer to terms like light vertical mowing or moderate topdressing, they cannot provide the hands-on experience of demonstrations.
During the demonstrations, many superintendents expressed that something new had “clicked” and that they couldn’t wait to try some of the cultural practices at their course. The workshop also provides valuable networking experience, and many new business relationships and friendships were formed as superintendents discussed their views on managing ultradwarfs.
The Focus: Sequencing Key Cultural Practices
Outlined below are many of the topics discussed during the Ultradwarf Surface Management Workshop. Understanding how to sequence these practices and adjust their intensity and frequency based on turf growth is the key to successful ultradwarf management at any budget.
- Mower setup – bedknives, reels and rollers
- Mowing practices – walk-behind and triplex mowers
- Topdressing
- Light vertical mowing
- Plant growth regulators
- Brushing and grooming
Follow-Up: Course Consulting Service Visits
Combining the workshop with a USGA Course Consulting Service visit provides an excellent opportunity to learn about new cultural practices and implement them at your course. USGA agronomists observe the practices taught in the workshop at golf courses throughout the region and are able to help troubleshoot any issues that may occur.
If you have an interest in ultradwarf surface management, we encourage you to register for a Course Consulting Service visit. Preliminary plans also are being made for another workshop in 2016.
Southeast Region Agronomists:
John H. Foy, regional director – jfoy@usga.org
Patrick M O’Brien, agronomist – patobrien@usga.org
Todd Lowe, agronomist – tlowe@usga.org
Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service