Three Tactics to Hit a Hole-in-One with Water Saving
As we’re entering the height of summer and the holiday season, leisure activities such as golf will be on everyone’s mind and to-do list. If you’re a greenskeeper, in today’s climate, then you certainly have your work cut out for you. According to the South African Golf Association, there are more than 450 golf courses in the country. It’s estimated that an 18-hole golf course uses approximately 1,2 to 3 million litres of water1 per day, depending on seasonal rainfall patterns. In South Africa, a water-stressed country, the pressure to save water is increasing, especially on institutions such as golf courses and estates that are considered water-guzzlers. Water shortages, maintenance projects, heatwaves and droughts will continue to put pressure on natural resources, and the needs of people will be put way ahead of the irrigation needs of a golf course when a water supply crisis occurs.
IVM Chemicals assists various golf courses throughout the northern parts of South Africa with sustainable chemical vegetation management solutions that contribute to sustainable environmental practices. Here are our top three water-saving strategies for greens maintenance managers:
- Install smart Irrigation
Irrigation systems have improved immensely – today smart irrigation systems are implemented to save water and lower electricity usage. Golf course irrigation requires expert audits, design and installation. During design, the turf, soil type, drainage, landscape and climate are taken into consideration to design a customised system that is both beneficial to the environment and the course. If your golf course does not yet make use of smart irrigation then it’s time to take the swing and invest.
- Use reclaimed water and alternative water sources
By installing systems that help recycle water or use recycled effluent for irrigation, golf courses can lower their water usage. According to the USGA the turf does an excellent job of filtering the water of nutrients and breaking down various chemicals and biological contaminants in the water2. Golf courses should also be able to collect rainfall in storage ponds that would otherwise be left to run off and wasted.
- Routine apply innovative products
Aside from your regular fertiliser programme, we suggest adding a range of biostimulants and bioactivators that can protect your turf during periods of water shortages and droughts. Biostimulants are popular among agriculturalist because of their ability to improve yields, quality, product colour, water usage and tolerance against abiotic stress. In landscaping, these products can be applied as a foliar application to the turf to protect it from drought conditions and improve effective water usage and course appearance.
At IVM Chemicals we are proposing that all our sports clients, including golf courses, use the Manvert Performance Pack to ensure fields and courses are protected against unexpected water shortages and extended dry periods during the summer months. The Performance Pack includes three biostimulants – Manvert Silikon, Manvert Foliplus, Manvert Rooting and a bioactovator, Manvert Miconic that naturally activates a plant’s immune system for protection against fungal disease as plants may be more susceptible to diseases during periods of stress.
For more information regarding our range of products and services for sports fields and courses, please contact IVM Chemicals today.
Resources
- http://www.waterwise.co.za/export/sites/water-wise/industry/golf/downloads/Water_Wise_Guide_for_Golf_Courses.pdf
- https://www.usga.org/course-care/water-conservation-on-golf-courses-fbe1f5ee.html
As we’re entering the height of summer and the holiday season, leisure activities such as golf will be on everyone’s mind and to-do list. If you’re a greenskeeper, in today’s climate, then you certainly have your work cut out for you. According to the South African Golf Association, there are more than 450 golf courses in the country. It’s estimated that an 18-hole golf course uses approximately 1,2 to 3 million litres of water1 per day, depending on seasonal rainfall patterns. In South Africa, a water-stressed country, the pressure to save water is increasing, especially on institutions such as golf courses and estates that are considered water-guzzlers. Water shortages, maintenance projects, heatwaves and droughts will continue to put pressure on natural resources, and the needs of people will be put way ahead of the irrigation needs of a golf course when a water supply crisis occurs.
IVM Chemicals assists various golf courses throughout the northern parts of South Africa with sustainable chemical vegetation management solutions that contribute to sustainable environmental practices. Here are our top three water-saving strategies for greens maintenance managers:
- Install smart Irrigation
Irrigation systems have improved immensely – today smart irrigation systems are implemented to save water and lower electricity usage. Golf course irrigation requires expert audits, design and installation. During design, the turf, soil type, drainage, landscape and climate are taken into consideration to design a customised system that is both beneficial to the environment and the course. If your golf course does not yet make use of smart irrigation then it’s time to take the swing and invest.
- Use reclaimed water and alternative water sources
By installing systems that help recycle water or use recycled effluent for irrigation, golf courses can lower their water usage. According to the USGA the turf does an excellent job of filtering the water of nutrients and breaking down various chemicals and biological contaminants in the water2. Golf courses should also be able to collect rainfall in storage ponds that would otherwise be left to run off and wasted.
- Routine apply innovative products
Aside from your regular fertiliser programme, we suggest adding a range of biostimulants and bioactivators that can protect your turf during periods of water shortages and droughts. Biostimulants are popular among agriculturalist because of their ability to improve yields, quality, product colour, water usage and tolerance against abiotic stress. In landscaping, these products can be applied as a foliar application to the turf to protect it from drought conditions and improve effective water usage and course appearance.
At IVM Chemicals we are proposing that all our sports clients, including golf courses, use the Manvert Performance Pack to ensure fields and courses are protected against unexpected water shortages and extended dry periods during the summer months. The Performance Pack includes three biostimulants – Manvert Silikon, Manvert Foliplus, Manvert Rooting and a bioactovator, Manvert Miconic that naturally activates a plant’s immune system for protection against fungal disease as plants may be more susceptible to diseases during periods of stress.
For more information regarding our range of products and services for sports fields and courses, please contact IVM Chemicals today.
Resources