Nor Cal GCSAA Members Tap into Technology to Expand Knowledge Seeking Innovative ways to Reduce Water while Efficiently Managing Turf
Livermore, CA- The Northern California Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association in cooperation with the University of California Cooperative Extension will host its 2009 Institute on October 19-20 at The Course at Wente Vineyards. This educational conference will focus on global positioning systems (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), and soil sensor technology.
According to Institute Co-Chairmen Dr. Ali Harivandi and Michael Souza, five industry experts will share their knowledge on an array of topics, including how technology can help maximize efficiency in managing turf (on a variety of levels), including reduction of water usage.
Industry experts include Erik Gakstatter, principal with Discovery Management Group, who will share his expanded knowledge of GPS mapping and surveying as it relates to the golf industry, honing-in on system functionality and accuracy, plus associated cost-saving measures. With nearly two decades in the GPS industry, Gakstatter has managed the development of GPS systems. He’s served as a contributing editor for GPS World Magazine and is editor of GeoSpatial Solutions, an online publication focused on GIS. During the past eight years Gakstatter has provided consultation support to more than 50 golf course projects.
Aaron Johnsen, founder of Turf Intelligence, LLC, will shed insight on how to use data maps to manage water and fertility. He will also hone-in on measurement technology and its implementation in maintenance plans. “Input management is crucial to minimizing expenses and producing a quality playing surface,” stated Johnsen. “Superintendents can use measurement technology to better manage labor, fertility, and pesticide inputs.”
Johnsen holds a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture with an emphasis in Turfgrass Management and a Master’s degree (Applied Plant Science) from the University of Minnesota. He has worked for The Toro Company followed by his tenure at Spectrum Technologies, Inc. (where he served as a Green Industry consultant) and has since formed Turf Intelligence, a company that specializes in data mapping, measurement technology implementation, and on-site research services.
Jason Bass, a certified arborist with a BS in Urban Forestry (University of Wisconsin) and president of Stratapoint, Inc., will provide insight on the timely topic of “How to Manage More with Less” and will share a comprehensive strategy method to complete ground management including integrated mapping, a “living map” of a golf course (turf, trees, irrigation, chemical usage, etc.). He will also provide communication models that assist when interacting with management teams, staff and club members, and when addressing compliance issues.
Bass and the team at Stratapoint, Inc. provide a multi-dimensional ground management system (GPS/GIS) readily available to assist golf courses managers and superintendents, municipalities, architects and designers.
Bernd Leinauer, Ph.D. is a professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist in the Plant Sciences Department at New Mexico State University. His presentation will center on the use of moisture and salinity sensors in correlation to golf course management. Leinauer’s extension and research program focuses primarily on developing water management strategies for turf areas with the aim of reducing the amount of (potable) water used for irrigation. He’s lectured internationally on
water conservation, turfgrass irrigation, efficiency and selection, and mitigation of rootzone repellency.
Jason Hill, Ph.D., Advanced Engineering Manager with The Toro Company will provide an overview of Toro Sensor Technology and how through the usage of Soil Moisture Data one can improve turf condition while minimizing water use. Hill will also provide a demonstration on the installation and use of the Turf Guard Wireless Soil Monitoring System, a system he developed in 2004. According to Hill the Turf Guard system provides superintendents with real-time soil moisture, temperature and salinity readings through sensors buried across the course. Hill received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley with education and research focus in the development of wireless, distributed sensing platforms for military, environmental, and commercial applications.
“This conference will provide a practical, hands-on approach for our superintendents as they gain awareness about the vast array of technological tools now available to them,” stated Mike Souza, Institute co-chairman and golf course superintendent at Richmond Country Club. “No question, these systems help us conserve water and other valuable resources while maximizing time and improving turf conditions.”
Now approaching its third decade, The Institute still remains a premier Northern California educational symposium for golf course superintendents, affiliate and allied members (vendors, course owners, club managers, etc.) on subject matter critical to golf courses and surrounding communities. “This conference is not only informative, it is extremely timely,” shared Dr. Ali Harivandi, “especially with the current water rationing mandate within our state. This symposium is an ideal environment for fact-finding as well as collaboration between superintendents, researchers, innovators and suppliers.”
According to Host Superintendent Glenn Matthews, a trade show is scheduled for Monday on the Event Lawn where attendees will meet with turfcare industry representatives, reviewing products and services while also tasting fine Wente wines. A Davey Tree Cup Series golf event is slated for Tuesday on Wente’s Greg Norman-designed course, a stunning tract surrounded by vineyards in the Livermore Valley.
The 2009 Institute is made possible through the sponsorship support of Syngenta, a leading company with twenty years of experience in developing and marketing turf-related products. For more information about Syngenta and its products and support services visit: http://www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com./en/index.html.
For those interested in attending the conference the fee is $130.00 and for conference & golf the fee is $225.00. For symposium details (i.e. speaker series, trade show, golf, lodging or sponsorship opportunities) please visit http://www.gcsanc.com/events/ or call 877.942.7262.
Contact:
Barbara Mikel | gcsanc@e-easi.net | 530. 626.0931
Media Contact: Emmy | EmmyPGA@aol.com | 530.902.8181
