Achieve clarity

This fall GCI, in partnership with SePRO, conducted research to determine how superintendents were managing their courses’ water features. GCI editors developed a survey via the online portal SurveyMonkey, which was distributed to superintendents pulled from its circulation list. Of the 174 respondents, 90 percent had water features on their course. Of those superintendent respondents, 42 percent were from private courses. Overall, 17 percent of respondents were from the Northeast, 27 percent from the Midwest, 37 percent from the South, 14 percent from the West and 5 percent from Canada. The majority (58 percent) were from non-private courses. On average, respondents manage just over 10 acres of water features (ponds, lakes, etc). Data was then broken down between all respondents, those who manage their water features in house, and those who hire an outside professional.

The combination of algae and weeds perplex superintendents the most when it comes to water features, with nearly a third of respondents (62 percent) consider managing “both” as their biggest challenge. That concern leads to multi-pronged treatment as 60 percent of superintendents indicated they handle water features preventatively and curatively.

Courses using dyes and colorants to enhance their water features are in the minority as 57 percent of superintendents reported they don’t use them. Aerator and fountain usage is more widespread, with 55 percent of respondents indicating they use them at their facilities.

Superintendents are split on how to identify invasive aquatic plants. Forty-nine percent have used an outside source such as an extension agent or consultant for formal identification. Superintendents aren’t as split on treatment method. Sixty-five percent listed chemical treatment as one of their control techniques. Chemical treatment is a popular technique at courses that rely on outside help to manage aquatics, as 100 percent of facilities using outside management resort to some form of chemical treatment.