Golf facilities, golfers and golf course management professionals have long benefited from advances in research funded by The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. The Institute will fund 11 new research projects beginning in 2008, with total funding of more than $180,000 over the next three years.
Of the 11 new projects, eight are Chapter Cooperative Research Program projects, one is a Mark Kizziar Research Grant, one is an Aquatrols’ Robert A. Moore Endowment Fund project and another is a National Research Program project. All the funded projects focus on applied research, which is problem-solving research that yields results that can be put in practice by superintendents. The 11 new projects will be profiled in the Cutting Edge section of Golf Course Management magazine beginning in April.
"GCSAA received 32 proposals requesting more than $560,000 in funding over a three-year period," GCSAA Director of Research, Clark Throssell, Ph.D., said. "The 11 new research projects that the Research Task Group approved for funding will provide pertinent information to golf course superintendents. Superintendents will be able to implement the results of the research on their golf course to improve the quality of the golf course while controlling expenses and minimizing the impact on the environment."
GCSAA Director of Environmental Programs Greg Lyman unveiled the new research projects that will receive funding at The Institute's winter meeting, held in conjunction with the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in Orlando. He also explained the work of the environmental programs group at the meeting, including an update on the Golf Course Environmental Profile project. The trustees also received reports from GCSAA c.e.o. Steve Mona, CAE, and GCSAA Managing Director of Development Teri Harris regarding new advisory council members, upcoming fundraising activities and communication and outreach for The Institute.
2008 Chapter Cooperative Research Program Projects:
"Evaluation of Perennial Rye Turfgrass Varieties for Tolerance to Rapid Blight Disease." Mary Olsen, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Completion date 2010. Co-funded by the Golf and Environmental Foundation of Arizona. $30,580 over two years.
"Effect of Aggressiveness of Cut and Mowing Height on Cut Quality, Putting Surface Performance and Stress-Induced Disease." Frank Rossi, Ph.D., Cornell University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association and the New York State Turfgrass Association. $100,900 over two years.
"New Technology to Manage Organic Matter Accumulation in Bermudagrass Putting Greens." Kurt Steinke, Ph.D., Texas A&M University. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the South Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association. $10,000 over two years.
"Management and Biology of Brown Ring Patch on Annual Bluegrass Greens." Frank Wong, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Central California, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Northern California, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of Southern California, Hi-Lo Desert Golf Course Superintendents Association, San Diego Golf Course Superintendents Association, Sierra Nevada Golf Course Superintendents Association and California State Chapter Golf Course Superintendents Association. $62,000 over two years.
"Degradation Rate of the Fungicides Chlorothalonil and Iprodione in the Absence of Snow Cover for the Control of Microdochium Patch on Turfgrass." Craig Grau, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Wisconsin Golf Course Superintendents Association. $32,000 over two years.
"A Novel Method to Facilitate Biodethatching Using Fungal Laccases." Qingguo Huang, Ph.D., University of Georgia, Griffin Campus. Completion date 2009. Co-funded by the Georgia Golf and Environmental Foundation. $40,000 over two years.
"Methods and Response for Successful Overseeding of Fairway Paspalum Turf." David Kopec, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Completion date 2010. Co-funded by the Golf and Environmental Foundation of Arizona. $15,850 over three years.
"Development of a Non-Destructive Sampling/Monitoring Program for Annual Bluegrass Weevil on Golf Course Fairways." Albrecht Koppenhöfer, Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Completion date 2008. Co-funded by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of New Jersey, Long Island Golf Course Superintendents Association, and Mountain and Valley Golf Course Superintendents Association. $15,332 over one year.
Aquatrols' Robert A. Moore Endowment Fund
"Wetting Agent Effects on Rootzone Moisture Distribution Under Various Irrigation Regimes." Douglas Karcher, Ph.D., University of Arkansas. Completion date 2009. $15,000 over two years.
Mark Kizziar Research Grant
"Attenuation of PPCP/EDCs through Golf Courses Using Reuse Water." Mike McCullough, Northern California Golf Association. Completion date 2009. $30,000 over two years.
National Research Program
"Deficit Irrigation of Seashore Paspalum and Bermudagrass for Golf Course Turf." James Walworth, Ph.D., University of Arizona. Completion date 2010. $29,500 over three years.
For more information, visit www.eifg.org or www.gcsaa.org.
