TRAVELS WITH TERRY

Globetrotting consulting agronomist Terry Buchen visits many golf courses annually with his digital camera in hand. He shares helpful ideas relating to maintenance equipment from the golf course superintendents he visits — as well as a few ideas of his own — with timely photos and captions that explore the changing world of golf course management.

Drainage Pipe Storage Rack

Brad Boyd, director of agronomy at Streamsong Golf Resort in Bowling Green, Florida, stresses a very high golf maintenance culture in everything he and his team accomplishes. The pipe storage rack was built from recycled bridge pilings from The Chain Course after it was built. The 12-inch to 14-inch diameter pressure-treated pilings at 14 feet tall are set 4 feet into the ground. Crossbeams with 2-inch by 6-inch planks and 2-inch by 4-inch lumber, also pressure treated, were placed horizontally to hold each pipe in place. Four-inch, 6-inch, 10-inch and 12-inch diameter perforated and non-perforated ADS drainage pipe is stored, while 18-inch and 24-inch pipe, all 20 feet in length, is also kept in stock. Single-wall rolled pipe is not used. The rack was built to accurately maintain inventory quantity, along with organizational and professional integrity, keeping supply-chain issues in mind. The pipes are strapped together during storms to keep them secure. Alejandro Rivera, foreman on the Streamsong Black Course, executed the work. It took four workers three days to build with no material costs. David Clark, Rob Crisp and Rob Sicinski are Streamsong’s superintendents, while Joe Stefanick is the fleet manager. Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner and David McLay Kidd are the resort’s golf course architects.




Coyote Decoys

Widgeon Ducks, a migratory bird that frequents the Arizona desert at the 18-hole, par-3 Palm Creek Resort & Residences in Casa Grande during the winter months, like to injure the greens by digging into the roots, while also providing frequent bowel movements. Three coyote decoys ($60 each on Amazon) are placed on the lake on No. 9, one on the No. 7 lake and two on the No. 18 lake, which do a good job of keeping the birds that don’t like to fly much in the lakes. The Arizona Game & Fish Department has a relocation process for the Widgeons. The course has Tifdwarf greens and Bullseye Bermudagrass winter overseeded with perennial ryegrass. The rangers move the decoys around the ponds every week. Pro shop supervisor Bill Ayotte works with the landscape department, which maintains the course on this walking-only venue. The golf architect is unknown.

Terry Buchen, MG, is president of Golf Agronomy International. He’s a 56-year, life member of the GCSAA. He can be reached at 757-561-7777 or terrybuchen@earthlink.net.

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March 2025
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