Glowing precision

Elisabeth Kitchin was raised on a small, family-owned farm in North Carolina. The main crops were asparagus and maple syrup, and to thrive, practical problem-solving was essential. With that upbringing, Kitchin is a natural fit in the turf industry and she is already a dedicated advocate for practical solutions.

As a graduate student at Virginia Tech, Kitchin has been working to further understand sprayer precision. “Targeted applications are useful but not a lot is known about the quantifiable accuracy and the precision of the sprayers when we are making them,” Kitchin says. “We need to determine how different factors, such as speeds of travel and target sizes, influence results.”

Each trial started with Kitchin mapping and spraying targets on the fairways of Virginia Tech Golf Course in Blacksburg, Virginia, during daylight. The turf was sprayed with a solution of UV dye mixed with water to act as a proxy for pesticides. “It’s a xanthene dye that is typically used in sewage systems for water-tracing and plumbing purposes,” she says. “It is completely biodegradable, relatively cheap and it’s safe on the turfgrass. It’s only about $80 per gallon and easy to source.”

At night, she and four other members of the VT Turfgrass team would push UV lights across the fairway. “I painted our targets with a neon paint so when we illuminate the fairway we are able to see the paint and the exact spray deposition,” Kitchin says. “Not only are we able to see where we sprayed but also the pattern of the intensity of the dye, any skew and a very defined shape.”

With the targets and deposition illuminated, they would use a drone to take images. All that can be seen is the orange target and the green illuminated UV dye that was deposited. “The sprayer we are using has individual nozzle controls and our targets are circular or like an oval,” Kitchin says. “We can see what nozzles are turning on, the different shapes and patterns and things like that.” That’s visibly promising.

“The results are great. The GPS sprayers have incredible accuracy,” Kitchin says. “The majority of the time they are hitting 100 percent coverage of the intended targets. There’s a bit of overspray, like the sprayer turning on before it hits the target or staying on a little bit after.” That’s good from a practical perspective. It’s better to overspray than miss affected areas and have disease break through.

Kitchin reported that target size has no significant effect on the accuracy or the precision, from half of a meter to two meters in diameter. Speed was tested at intervals of 3, 4½ and 6 miles per hour.

“Speed does have an effect. Going slower, around 3 miles per hour, has a significantly lower accuracy and a higher offset — more of a difference between where the machine is spraying and where we are telling it to spray,” Kitchin says. That’s good news for superintendents, too — get the job done with some speed for better accuracy.

Supporting the research was superintendent Jason Ratcliff, who started as a mechanic and has worked his way through several positions at Virginia Tech Golf Course during the past 29 years. “I've been fortunate to work with talented individuals on many research projects,” Ratcliff says.

“Jason has been awesome and super accommodating,” Kitchin adds. “The neon orange targets are obnoxious but the whole crew has been super nice. They let us come and spray the dye even though we had never used it with turfgrass before.” The dye was water soluble, disappearing with the dew or a single rain event, but even so, Kitchin would wait about a week between trials.

Ratcliff promotes research for the good of the course, to acquire funding for future projects and to help students further their careers. “You can’t put a price tag on that,” he says. “My biggest fear is that I do something that will negatively impact the research being conducted. Communication with the students is key and I do this on a daily basis.”

Kitchin will be sharing full results from her study this spring, when she is completing her master’s degree. Dr. David McCall has been her advisor and will continue to work with Kitchin as she pursues her doctorate.

Kitchin served as a USGA Green Section intern and has positive experiences working with superintendents. She appreciates their openness to making data-driven decisions and recognizes that costs, time and labor availability can be barriers to adopting new technology.

“Technology has so much potential,” she says. “A lot of effort goes into working with GPS sprayers, especially with making targeted applications. People are adopting what is possible. It is up to us as researchers to make it more adoptable. It’s not reasonable for us to say they should be using this technology if it’s not feasible, it’s very expensive or incredibly time-consuming. There is no use in having amazing technology if it’s not going to be practical.”

She really appreciates the work and the people she works with. “It’s like a little sweet spot between my interests in sustainability and my love of working in turf pathology and in the turfgrass industry,” Kitchin says. “We are lucky that everyone is open and supportive of each other. I hope I can continue to do this research and communicate these results to provide practical, adoptable solutions for turfgrass managers.”

Lee Carr is a northeast Ohio-based writer and senior Golf Course Industry contributor.

Tartan Talks 105

Nathan Crace and Todd Quitno prove modern golf course architects are more friendly than adversarial.

The pair of engaging industry veterans who own and operate their own firms joined the Tartan Talks podcast simultaneously to discuss numerous topics, including:

• How they developed into friends and project collaborators
• The importance of peer relationships when working from home
• Balancing raising children with the rigors of a competitive industry
• Family friendly golf course design
• How the last five years altered the industry
• Their 2025 schedules

Any banter involving Crace and Quinto makes for easy — and sometimes comical — listening packed with plenty of insight.

“The ASGCA has been big on members collaborating, so there are lots of examples of that,” Crace says. “Maybe Todd and I are like the Starsky & Hutch of golf course architects.”

The jovial episode can be found on the Superintendent Radio Network page of popular podcast distribution platforms.

A YouTube channel for equipment managers

By Kelsie Horner

When asked why he decided to start a YouTube channel, Ansley Country Club equipment manager Trent Manning was quick to respond: “The lack of content for golf course equipment managers.”

His channel, Reel Turf Techs, started in 2021. His first video titled “How to Generating QR codes,” received 36 views. The channel now has 94 videos and nearly 500 subscribers.

Manning's career in the golf industry began when he was just 16 years old at Ansley Golf club’s Settindown course. After working a few various industry jobs, he returned to his home course as equipment manager in 2010.

Manning is also the host of the Reel Turf Techs podcast and helps teach GCSAA sessions. “One thing leads to another and next thing you know you’re golf course industry famous,” he says.

Thanks to working numerous jobs, travel and experience, Manning has learned many tricks, tips and techniques that are helpful for an equipment manager or technician.

Manning aims to create content that can help equipment managers in many capacities, giving them the guidance to help them fix problems and learn industry knowledge.

“That’s my only goal, I want to help others,” he says.

His channel has grown from screen-recordings to professionally recorded and edited videos and YouTube shorts. The post-film production requirements aren’t enjoyable for Manning, so he hired Kevin Keegan of WoodlotMedia to assist him.

Manning and Keegan get together on Saturdays to film as much content as they can. Filming can range from eight to 12 hours a day. He also records videos during the work week, if something comes up that others can benefit from.

Watching Wes Work and Blondihacks are two channels that Manning draws inspiration from. Blondihacks is an educational channel on welding, electronics, machine work and more from Quinn Dunki. “She does an awesome job of explaining in detail how things work,” he says of Dunki.

Some of his channels videos feature titles such as “How-To: Grinding a Bed Knife - My Method for Grinding a Toro DPA Bedknife on a Foley 673,” “Air Tank Cheat Code - Save Time With These Fittings” and “The Aggression Fork - Take The Guesswork Out of Setting Up Your Reel Mower.” Manning also posts recordings of his podcasts and interviews with other industry pros.

His most watched video is from December 2022, titled “Ditch Witch Hydraulic Cylinder Rebuild,” with 2,900 views. His YouTube shorts receive a lot of traction as well, with some clips receiving up to 17,000 views.

The equipment manager’s plans for the future of the channel? “Grow it as big and as fast as I can.”

Is there a video you’d like to see from Trent? Email him at reelturftechs@gmail.com to submit ideas.

INDUSTRY BUZZ

Envu announced a new partnership with BioConsortia, an innovator in microbial crop solutions, to evaluate and develop biological solutions for non-crop applications in the environmental science industry. The collaboration reflects the growing demand for sustainable alternatives for pest management and plant protection, driven by both consumer demand and increasing regulatory pressures. … Syngenta launched GreenCast Connect, a mobile app designed to enhance how turf and landscape professionals manage operations. The app aims to streamline decision-making, optimize resource use and help managers meet quality standards. … Barenbrug USA announced the launch of Pro Repair Sand and Pro Repair Compost powered by TurfMend technology, two products tailored for golf course superintendents, sports field managers and landscapers and designed for repair of divots, bare spots and stressed turf areas. … Moghu USA is further expanding the distribution of PoaCure SC herbicide with the addition of a new partner. The new partner includes Advanced Turf Solutions for Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. … Turfco unveiled its new patent-pending CR-20 Fairway Topdresser and Material Handler, and its T5000 Riding Applicator.

COURSE NEWS

Indian Wells Golf Resort in California’s Coachella Valley announced the groundbreaking of the renovation of its Players Course. Led by golf course architect John Fought and his team, the renovation will see multiple holes rerouted — most notably the ninth, 17th and 18th. … Members of Sarasota National in Venice, Florida, approved a golf course master plan design by Fry/Straka Global Golf Course Design. The multimillion-dollar renovation project will focus on enhancing the playability and improving sustainability. Work will begin in spring 2026. ... Zinkand Golf Design has completed a multi-year bunker and greens restoration project at suburban Chicago’s Old Elm Club. … Oakland University retained Christopher Wilczynski of C.W. Golf Architecture to develop a golf course architectural master plan for the Katke-Cousins 18-hole golf course, one of the university’s two championship golf courses and home to the Golden Grizzlies men’s and women’s golf teams. … Keswick Hall, a resort in Virginia Wine Country, is undergoing course renovations led by golf course architect Scot Sherman. Renovations are expected to be completed this month. … Moncayo, a luxury development along Puerto Rico’s eastern seacoast, recently introduced its Golf Club, designed in collaboration with UK-based golf course architecture firm Mackenzie & Ebert. The club will feature an 18-hole championship golf course, a one-acre putting course and reversible 9-hole short course.

PEOPLE NEWS

Landscapes Golf Management promoted six corporate leaders for their contributions to achieving healthy returns at more than 60 golf courses, country clubs and destination clubs operated by the company. Mike Williams is now senior vice president, Scot Wellman was elevated to vice president of sales and marketing, Mark Young is now vice president of food and beverage operations, and Joe Goellner, Chris Jacobson and Brandon Wallraff were each promoted to vice president of operations. … The USGA will present its highest honor, the Bob Jones Award, to Mike Keiser during U.S. Open Championship week in Pittsburgh this June. Presented annually since 1955, the award recognizes those who personify the character, sportsmanship and respect for the game as its champion namesake. … Envu appointed Michael Miracle to the new position of golf national account manager within its Turf & Ornamentals division. …  As Fred Perpall embarks on the last year of his three-year term as USGA president, the organization has appointed Kevin Hammer as its president-elect and added two business leaders — Dianne Dixon and James Gorrie — to its executive committee, a 15-person volunteer board. … Vereens added Brian Grill as the company’s new director of product and market development, serving golf course superintendents, sports turf managers and industry professionals. Vereens also added Matt Pruitt as manager of its Keystone Heights, Florida, facility between Gainesville and Jacksonville. … Foley Company announced the promotion of Tyler Barrett to North America sales manager.