Carolinas superintendents publish Best Management Practices manual

The Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Association published “Best Management Practices for Carolinas Golf Courses” – a nearly 300-page text that offers the best region-specific science and knowledge to its members. The manual, co-authored by researchers from Clemson University and North Carolina State University, was unveiled at the association’s annual Conference and Trade Show in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in November.

“We are extremely proud of this manual and what it stands for,” says new Carolinas GCSA President Adam Charles from The Preserve at Verdae in Greenville, S.C. “It is an excellent reference tool for superintendents but just as importantly it clearly demonstrates just how committed we are to the environmental and economic sustainability of the game. The two go hand in hand.”

They will see from their very first glance just how seriously we take our responsibilities, not just to our facility but to the surrounding community,” he says. “The vast majority of superintendents are already conversant with the contents of the manual. It will serve as an excellent reference for them. But it will be an eye-opener for many others I’m sure.”

Past-president Bill Kennedy, CGCS from Chechessee Creek Club in Okatie, SC says the collaborative efforts of authors Drs. Bert McCarty from Clemson and Jim Kerns from NC State are reflective of an industry-wide spirit in the region. “For the professors at these two institutions to work so closely together on this is a tribute to their professionalism and their commitment to the work we do,” he says. “We see that spirit play out all the time whether it’s from our industry partners on the sales and service side or amongst our members helping each other out as they did with the recent hurricane. It’s something very special.”

The manual was paid for by money raised in the annual Rounds 4 Research auction, which sells donated tee times online to generate funds for turfgrass research and related efforts. Rounds 4 Research was created by the Carolinas GCSA before going national several years ago under the auspices of the Environmental Institute for Golf. Manuals were delivered as a service to superintendent and assistant superintendent members in November.

Other show highlights

Riley Boyette, assistant superintendent at The Golf Club at Briar’s Creek on Johns Island, S.C., won the Carolinas GCSA golf championship at the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort. Turner Revels of Revels Turf and Tractor in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., received the association’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award. Clatus Griddle from Hillcrest Golf Course in Orangeburg, S.C. was a popular winner of the $3,000 main prize in the 27-Hole Challenge.

The association also welcomed three new board members at its annual meeting. Brian Hollingsworth, CGCS from Dataw Island Club on Saint Helena Island, S.C., and Billy Lewis from Dormie Club in West End, N.C., were elected to fill vacancies. Chuck Connolly from The Club at Brookstone in Anderson, S.C., was appointed by the president to fill a vacancy created with the resignation of Charlie Spears from Cherokee Plantation in Yemassee.