The Yellow layer of pollen on my truck signifies that spring has arrived here in Eastern NC. As usual, the weather patterns are warm one day and cool the next.  All golfers have the “itch” to get out and play and with The Masters, golf season for the majority of the US has arrived.  Arriving also the week after The Masters, is the yearly scrutiny and questions from the golfers pertaining to why our Country Club does not have green plastic wrap sandwiches from the snack bar and our greens aren’t rolling 14 on the stimpmeter echoing in unison around the US.

As discussed in this forum before, hopefully everyone has taken a strong look at their agronomic program over the off season and made the appropriate changes to their inputs. Remember to monitor your data points in order to help you quantify and justify your inputs. Everyone of us are dealing with continued inflation and high fuel prices. Many budgets that were approved last fall will not support the current economic market. Communication with your General Manager and Boards are imperative and will allow you to not surprise everyone at months end.  The pandemic allowed clubs to understand the most important asset to their bottom line is the golf course not the Dining Room. Make sure you remind your members that inputs and maintenance practices are crucial to maintain a healthy bottom line for the club. People have short memories.

One point we as a company are highlighting over the coming weeks is some new data and research from academia on the root zone and the role it plays in water management with the plant and the overall health of the turf. We encourage you to watch our recorded webinar HERE with Dr Stan Kostka, Dr Mike Fidanza, and our very own Bill Brown.  It provides a better understanding of soil water relationships between the soil colloid as well as the root system itself.

Our manufacture representatives are now traveling in the field with our distribution partners full time. It’s nice to be back out seeing our end users and listening and learning how we can help you with solutions to your agronomic problems.

Keep it in the short grass.