For a growing number of golfcourse maintenance operations,income and expenses areimpacting course conditioning.

BY BOB BRAME

Overthe last couple of years the sluggisheconomy and the increasing cost of

golf course conditioning have becomefrequently discussed concerns. Play volume vs.income, course conditioning, the maintenanceinfrastructure, and how to properly consider eachhave always been agenda items on course visits,but recently the intensity has elevated. Unfortu-nately, too many courses are approaching eco-nomic constraints with poor or no prioritizationsuch that intermediate and long-term operationalsustainability is suspect. This article will discussa realistic and practical approach to managingquality golf turf relative to available funding.When budget cuts are needed, the followingsequence will allow adjustments to be madewithout compromising the product or value ratio(what golfers are getting for their dollar).

PRIORITIZE ALL COMPONENTSOF COURSE MAINTENANCEThe decision makers should start with a prioriti-zation of what's important. This cannot be doneproperly by the superintendent alone. The owner,

board, committee, advisory group, or to whom-ever the superintendent answers, should bedirectly involved in determining the peckingorder of course maintenance priorities. Puttingsurfaces are clearly first, but from there on downthere is no right or wrong order, other than nothaving an agreed-upon order is wrong. Whileevery course should have a custom-fitted priori-tized listing, it's all about offering a course uponwhich the game of golf can be played. Carefullyconsider what's important to the game during theprocess of prioritizing components of the mainte-nance program. For example, it makes no senseto place trees (tree management) above what isneeded for healthy grass growth, unless treeremoval is needed to improve the grass-growingenvironment. Maintain candid objectivity whencompiling the listing, relative to what the grassneeds and the intended line of play. This processis discussed in detail in the July-August 2003Green Section Record article "Stay Focused."Review the article (available on the USGA Website) and complete the exercise before continuingthis article.

Predominately out-of-play tall rough canenhance environmentalfriendliness whileimproving definition,and it helps keepmaintenance dollarsfocused on more in-playacreage (Kitty HawkGolf Complex, Dayton,Ohio).

MARCH-APRIL 2004

Gravel, brick chips,bark, or other similarmaterials often erodeor move with traffic,which increasesmaintenance costs ascompared to a pavedcart path.

Without a prioritized list, there is no founda-tion for the following discussion, and the currentcycle of income and expenses will not improve -there will be a continuing decline of course valueor, at best, a wandering in the wilderness (nodefined direction that guides the operation).However, the downward trend is often verysubtle and, as such, it may require open-minded-ness to detect and correct. An agreed-uponprioritization of all surfaces or components of themaintenance program, with specific subcompo-nents, is the first step towards properly managingagronomics, economics, and politics.

CORRECT INFRASTRUCTURELIMITATIONSThe maintenance infrastructure includes, in nospecific order and equally weighted, the irrigationsystem, drainage network, equipment inventory,maintenance complex, architecture, operatingbudget, and staffing. The prioritized listing ofcourse components should help identify infra-structure needs and limitations. Conversely, theinfrastructure will impact prioritizing compo-nents - there is a two-way street betweencomponents of the infrastructure and thepecking-order list.

Maintenance Complex. Every golf courseshould have a safe, efficient, and environmentallyfriendly maintenance complex. This wouldinclude two restroom and shower facilities, alongwith a nice lunch room. However, the prioritizedlisting will directly impact staff size and, as such,the needed employee and equipment accommo-dations. For instance, the walk mowing of greensor the triplex mowing of fairways, dependingupon the listing and sub-objectives, will impactboth staff accommodations and equipment

storage space. More inclusively, the maintenancecomplex directly impacts staff morale, workethics, and safety, along with equipment servicingand storage, which means this component of themaintenance infrastructure should not be takenlightly even though it is seldom visited by golfers.

Equipment Inventory. In the final analysis, itis the staff and equipment that get the work done.The equipment inventory should be replacedregularly to control repair and maintenance costsand to ensure efficiency. Conditioning objectivesmust be anchored by the equipment inventory toachieve sustainability. Generally speaking, aninvestment of 10% of the total equipment inven-tory replacement value, each year, will keep theinventory in good condition. However, theaddition of extra items that may be needed toproperly cover your objectives should be con-sidered prior to, and over and above, the 10%replacement guideline. Trying to walk-mow 18 ormore greens with only one mower is an exampleof needing to purchase extra units.

Operating Budget - Staffing. It is com-mon for the salaries and wage line item(s) in theoperating budget (all of what is being spent tostaff the maintenance operation) to be 60% ormore of the total budget. A higher percentagetypically reflects more detailed manicuring andwalk mowing of various sites, while a low per-centage (55 or below) often suggests that condi-tioning expectations/objectives are out of linewith staff to do the work. Recognizing that laboris such a large percentage of the total operatingbudget, it is a common target when reductionsare deemed necessary. However, it should first bedetermined what will be reduced (the prioritizedlist should be adjusted) and then the staffingaltered to accommodate the adjustment. Thecompiling of an agreed-upon prioritized list willbe made more efficient with specific accountingof how funds have been spent in the past. Budget-ing can then capitalize on past actuals and thelevel of conditioning that was offered.

Irrigation System. A key, if not the key,objective of golf turf conditioning is to maintainthe surface and upper profile as dryas applicablevariables allow. The intent is environmentalfriendliness, consistent/dependable playability, andhealthy turf, which is always more -economicalthan unhealthy turf. The irrigation system andhow it is used directly impact the pursuit of dryconditioning or water management. Moresprinklers and more efficient coverage control do

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not equate to wetter playing surfaces; in fact, quitethe opposite is true. The prioritized listing shouldguide the assembly of specific features of thesystem. For instance, will the primary rough bewatered? Where is it placed on the listing, andwhat subcomponent objectives have been agreedupon?

Drainage Network. Tying directly to theirrigation system in pursuing dry conditioning isefficient drainage. The drainage network is thecombination of surface contours that allow runoffand tiling that provides subsurface movement.Like the other components of the infrastructure,drainage is vital to quality golf turf. Yet the level ofdrainage should be fitted to agreed-upon prioritiesand subcomponent objectives, along with archi-

GUARD AGRONOMICBUILDING BLOCKSThe four equally weighted building blocks ofagronomically sound golf turf are:• Fertilization• Mowing (type of mower, bench setting, and

sharpness• Growing Environment (sunlight and

air movement)• Water Management (drainage/aeration and

irrigation/ rainfall)Limitations in one or more of these equallyweighted foundation building blocks cannot becorrected by any combination of secondary (otherthan what directly facilitates the four buildingblocks) strategies imaginable. As an example,

tecture. As an example, predominately out-of-playnatural rough will not need the same level ofdrainage efficiency as that of primary rough.

Architecture. If decision makers identifydouble-digit speed as an objective for greens onthe prioritized listing, the surface contours shouldbe subtle enough to accommodate the objectiverelative to play volume and the need to spreadwear across the green via usable hole locations.Architecture must accommodate desired condi-tioning or else course playability will not beeconomically sustainable. Bunkers are anothergood example; if they're low on the listing, ashazards should be, it's important for the architec-ture to be such that constant erosion and/orwashouts are avoided.

fungicides will not control disease activity that isbrought on by overwatering or a poor micro-environment. Guarding and properly implement-ing these building blocks, in pursuing quality golfturf that is economically sustainable, is not nego-tiable. An expanded discussion of these agronomicbuilding blocks can be found in the July-August1997 Green Section Record article "The BuildingBlocks of a Solid Maintenance Program."

Consider the progression: (1) develop a priori-tized list of what makes up the maintenance focus,with desired and agreed-upon subcomponents,(2) make sure the infrastructure is in good orderand that it properly supports the listed objectives,and then (3) invest to guard foundational agro-nomics. With this combination employed, it would

An efficient irrigationsystem is a vital com-ponent of the mainte-nance infrastructure,and it pays dividendsover the intermediateand long haul.

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WHERE CUTS CAN BE MADE SAFELYThe specific places where cuts can be made safelywill vary depending upon the specifics at a course.Applying the outlined template (as discussed andillustrated below) will ensure agronomic andeconomic sustainability.

be impossible to skip putting surface aeration inan effort to reduce labor costs or increase play.The skip could do both over the short term, butit would also open the door to far greater con-cerns. The logic is simple and straightforward; thegreens should be first on the prioritized listing,while other components and surfaces can vary -not greens. Aeration directly impacts rootzoneporosity via drainage, which ties to both the infra-structure and the water management buildingblock. The same logic and progression can beapplied to any agronomic, economic, or politicalquestion that may arise.

The following are examples, which apply tomost courses, of where cuts can be made withoutcompromising the product or value ratio.

Add or Expand "No Mow" PredominatelyOut-of-Play Rough. Most courses have areaswhere little or no golf is played. Mark such areasand stop regular mowing. Ideally, identify theacreage as "natural." A natural area does not haveweeds, as a weed is a plant out of place. No weedsmeans there is no need for herbicides. If, however,the desire is for tall grass blowing in the wind,then spot usage of herbicides occasionally may beneeded to eliminate growth other than grass. Onemowing a year typically will work with eitherapproach. The end result will be improved defini-tion and a more environmentally friendly opera-tion, and budget dollars will be kept focused onmore in-play acreage.

Planting wildflowers in predominately out-of-play rough is not as economical as going natural.Seeding will occasionally be needed to maintain agood stand of wildflowers, and weed controloften becomes necessary.

The guiding concern with "no mow" rough ispace of play. An occasional ball in the tall rough isacceptable as long as the pace of play is not con-sistently slowed. The slope rating should reflectthe presence of tall rough that is not marked as a

hazard unless a hazard is present; tall rough doesnot meet the definition of a hazard in The Rulesif Golf

Add or Expand Buffer Strips. Hand mow-ing or trimming around lakes and creeks is notenvironmentally friendly, and there is a significantlabor cost. A buffer strip of at least several feet,depending upon terrain features and/or architec-ture, will eliminate expensive hand labor, and itgreatly reduces the chances of a chemical appli-cation moving into the body of water. Canadagoose activity may also be reduced with bufferstrips. With the hazard marking placed outside thebuffer strip, there will be no negative impact onplayability, although the different look may requiresome time to be fully accepted. As with thepredominately out-of-play "no mow" rough, onemowing a year is normally sufficient to controltree sucker growth.

Participating in the Audubon CooperativeSanctuary Program (ACSP), through AudubonInternational, is an excellent means of guiding theestablishment or expansion of tall rough and/orbuffer strips. Efficiency is improved and credibilitywill be elevated when the ACSP is guiding theprocess.

Eliminate Flower/Ornamental Beds.Clearly, when funding is tight, flowers and orna-mental plantings should be reduced or eliminated.While everyone enjoys the color and texture thatornamentals and flowers offer, they are not neededfor the play of the game. In a tough economy,anything that has no direct impact on playability,yet draws resources away from those areas that do,is excess baggage. The initial prioritized listing ofsurfaces and components should reveal, for mostoperations, a low placement for flowers andornamentals.

Occasionally, trees and tree management needsare aligned with flowers and ornamental plantings,although they should be separate items on theinitial listing. When the turf grass growing micro-environment is compromised by any type of plantgrowth, it should be eliminated - remember thebuilding blocks. On the golf course, trees, flowers,and ornamentals are all optional - grass is not. Ifthe sequence in this article is followed, most treework/ removal will be done under the heading of"Guard Agronomic Building Blocks - GrowingEnvironment."

Reduce Bunker Maintenance. It is impor-tant for bunkers to have well-defined margins sothat The Rules if Golf can be applied. However,

Where cutscan be made

safely

Agronomic+ Building

Blocks

Prioritized listing ofcourse components,with agreed-upon

subcomponents

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conceding the need for clearly defined margins,bunkers are hazards. Where did we get the ideathat hazards should play consistently? Many timesa year on course visits the request will be made,"We just want the bunkers to play consistentlyfrom hole to hole." True consistency will neverhappen, and the pursuit thereof is very expensive.No doubt we can thank televised golf for thispredicament.

Considering the basics, bunkers are hazards thatare to be avoided and as such do not need to playconsistently. In addition, design (infrastructure -architecture) that does not allow constant erosionand minimizes bunker maintenance costs is whatyou're looking for. They should have good internaldrainage and, again, be designed to prevent erosion.Daily raking is not necessary, however, and formost courses this component of maintenancecould be lowered on the list, resulting in a saving.

Eliminate Bunkers. Even with reducedmaintenance, bunkers typically are more expen-sive to maintain than the regular mowing ofprim.ary rough. This would suggest that if bunkersdon't offer directional or playability value, theycould be converted into grassy swales. This is agood topic to discuss with an architect, as it couldoffer significant savings while still presenting anenjoyable and challenging course to play.

Pave Cart Paths. No one particularly likesasphalt or concrete on a golf course, but golf cartsare here to stay and a paved surface is the bestmeans of controlling cart traffic wear. The use ofgravel, brick chips, bark, or various other similarmaterials may sound good, as balls will not bounceas far if they are hit, but maintenance costsnormally will be higher over the intermediateand long haul. The initial cost of paving shouldresult in savings down the road.

CONCLUSIONAgronomics, economics, and politics are part ofevery golf course maintenance decision. All threemust be considered, and at times it can be difficultto properly sort through the issues and do what isright for the long-term conditioning of thecourse. The solution to this dilemma, which isoften intensified during tough economic times,begins with an agreed-upon prioritization of allcomponents. The prioritized listing with agreed-upon subcomponents sets the stage for the preciseevaluation and adjustment of the infrastructure.Needed upgrades or corrections to the infrastruc-ture will then support the agronomic building

blocks, to which secondary or fine-tuning strate-gies can be added. Individual sprinkler controlaround greens will complement the pursuit of dryconditioning, whereupon fungicide applicationswill achieve the desired control. Cuts or reduc-tions should start with the prioritized listing andapplicable subcomponents and process throughthe outlined template. Indiscriminate cuts oftenopen the door to product decline that forces evenmore reductions. If adjustments are needed,measure twice (or more) and cut once.

BOB BRAME is the directorof the Green Section 5-

North-Central Region. He visits coursesin Indiana,Kentucky, and Ohio, where the economy has been acommon topic over the lastfew years.

Bunkers thatfrequently experienceerosion should berenovated or havesteps taken tocorrect the problem.In this case, anintercept drain wasinstalled above thebunker to minimizewater flowing overthe bunker lip andwashing out thebunker face.

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