Industry news

Industry news

Kansas State, Pursell enhance program

Sylacauga, Ala. – Kansas State University partnered with Pursell Technologies to enhance the school’s golf course management program and the future of the turf industry through a new breed of superintendent. The Kansas State horticulture department offers a golf course management program that educates students in all aspects of managing and operating a golf course, going beyond traditional turf maintenance.

Dr. Jeff Higgins, executive director of business development for Pursell, is an adjunct faculty member and has taught a class on nutrient management and fertilization strategies.

The university hopes to place future interns at Pursell-family-owned FarmLinks Golf Club to further students’ experiences. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in The Experience at FarmLinks where they will receive education about fertilizer release mechanisms from Pursell and attend sessions about plant protection strategies and golf course maintenance and irrigation equipment.

Premier Golf leases courses in Cincinnati

Pacific Palisades, Calif. – Premier Golf Management leased five golf courses in the greater Cincinnati/Kentucky area: Crooked Tree Golf Course, Shaker Run Golf Club, Walden Ponds Golf Club, Deer Run Country Club and Traditions Golf Club. The U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship will be held at Shaker Run in 2005.

The company’s portfolio now includes 20 courses in 10 states. Recent transactions include purchases, leases, management contracts and receivership management agreements.

Overseeding Bermudagrass discussed at summit

San Francisco – A meeting that focused on issues regarding transition management of overseeded Bermuda-grass on golf courses attracted university and U.S. Golf Association researchers from throughout the transition-region states.

Stan Zontek of the USGA Green Section in the mid-Atlantic region provided an overview of the history of overseeding and transition of golf courses. Presenters provided research data and opinions about topics such as “What happens to Bermudagrass during spring transition,” “The effect of Bermudagrass cultivars and herbicides on transition success,” and “The influence of fungicides during spring transition.”

Shawn Emerson, director of agronomy at Desert Mountain Resort in Scottsdale, Ariz., provided a case study of his experiences with transition on the six Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses he manages.

“Timing of transition is the biggest struggle in our operation,” Emerson says. “A few days can make the difference of millions of dollars in revenue for our golf courses.”

Adequate fertility is a key for successful transition, according to Dr. Bert McCarty, professor of horticulture at Clemson University. The use of herbicides increases the density of turf and allow a better base of Bermudagrass, according to Dr. Tim Murphy, professor of weed science at the University of Georgia.

Bayer Environmental Sciences sponsored the meeting.