A few years ago, we had the first opportunity to speak with arborist and Spiio customer Jerry White, the PHC manager at Arborwell. Arborwell, who recently merged with SavATree, is a professional tree management company who primarily operates on the West Coast.

For those that don’t have first-hand experience, there’s a lot involved in managing trees—pruning, tree removal, risk management, and more. Jerry’s role is to manage the operation of plant health care, including fertilization, protecting from disease, reducing insect issues, and improving overall tree and soil health.

In that conversation, we learned how valuable Spiio data was in managing the health of a tree—particularly because of its role in understanding the tree’s need for water intake, which is central to tree care.

Recently, we spoke with Jerry again and were excited that Spiio is continuing to be a part of SavATree’s growing operations. Jerry recently oversaw an installation of Spiios at a corporate campus in the Bay Area where Arborwell manages 19 redwood trees.

19 Spiios for 19 Redwood Trees

The site where the redwoods are, is doing some reconstruction of its landscape, which means that its irrigation has to be turned off. To complicate matters, the trees’ health had already started to decline from the stress of the construction process. We’re tasked with monitoring the overall health of the trees and helping them maintain proper moisture so that they can recover,” says Jerry.

When asked about this big installation, Jerry says it was quite a task. We were training three employees at the same time which further complicated the process. 

Spiio is known among its customers for providing support all along the way—installation, troubleshooting, replacements—to make this process as easy as possible. The job was done, and Jerry reports, “we’re really happy with it.

One unit was having trouble, so they had to replace that as well. However, thankfully Spiio is known among its customers for providing support all along the way—installation, troubleshooting, replacements—to make this process as easy as possible. The job was done, and Jerry reports, “we’re really happy with it.”

Using Moisture Readings to Cope with Drought

So, why so many sensors? Depending on the conditions of the tree and its soil, explains Jerry, some trees can be particularly finicky and require more personalized maintenance. “We’ve had significant challenges on the West Coast with dry weather, and especially, most recently, dry winters.”

Many people assume that hot, dry summers are the culprit when it comes to plant stress in drought. In fact, efforts to conserve water often reflect this by restricting water during the winter to save it for the heat. However, that’s actually counterintuitive. Trees in California are accustomed to a Mediterranean climate, including its hot and dry summers. They rely on reserves of moisture built up during the winter, which is why the current pattern of dryer winters is so concerning.

This isn’t a particular issue for the redwoods in the recent installation, but in other projects, SavATree is helping to create a plan to recover trees from drought stress. Spiio data helps monitor those recovering trees that need extra care.

And what about trees that aren’t adapted to the hot, dry Mediterranean climate? Jerry says they want to fine-tune their care for those trees using Spiio’s moisture readings so that they can help customers save water. For instance, they can recommend turning off the water for a couple of weeks at a site that just got two inches of rain. “Those are things we can be developing info on to help clients.”

Using Salinity Readings to Keep Trees Healthy

Spiio’s many features allow it to adapt to the needs of a wide variety of customers. While soil temperature and light readings are key for our many customers managing turfgrass, those aren’t so necessary for SavATree, whose sensors are far underground and operate in a relatively mild climate that only occasionally needs a soil temperature check. However, features like salinity measuring become really valuable in this setting.

“Another application of Spiio data for tree care is monitoring transplanted trees in a new environment: We have to find out, are these trees salt-sensitive? For example, redwoods are a popular commercial tree on the West Coast because they are so tall and majestic. However, they are not adaptive to high saline soils. Especially during a drought, salt content builds up in the soil and can affect these trees immensely. The salinity measure on the Spiio sensor is helpful to check this.”

Especially during a drought, salt content builds up in the soil and can affect these trees immensely. The salinity measure on the Spiio sensor is helpful to check this.”

Using data from Spiio sensors, SavATree is able to make targeted and efficient agronomic decisions for its trees. For example, if the salinity sensor finds that too much salt is building up for these redwoods, SavATree has several interventions in its toolbox:

“There are certain soil amendments that help reduce salt that we can recommend and apply, depending on the Spiio readings. We can incorporate specific products into the soil to reduce high saline sites.  We can also flush the soil through with water, or we might add calcium if there’s a calcium deficiency since that also helps reduce sodium.”

Gathering Data for Long-term Agronomic Decisions

Data isn’t just a short-term benefit for tree health. “The climate always is changing, and California’s noted for always having variable weather,” notes Jerry. “Gathering data over a long period of time is one of my goals so we can compare information. Being able to monitor the information that Spiio units provide makes the process much easier. 

The climate always is changing, and California’s noted for always having variable weather, notes Jerry. “Gathering data over a long period of time is one of my goals so we can compare information

So, it’s not just about recognizing and addressing immediate needs of the trees they manage—it’s also about using that information over time to inform long-term decisions and recommendations for clients. That’s why long-time Spiio customers like SavATree are continuing to look for new ways to utilize the value of in-ground data.

Tree health has broad implications. Not only does it impact the aesthetic of a landscape, but dying trees also present a safety and liability risk. We also know how valuable trees are in contributing to an area’s environmental, physical, and mental health. Combining years of experience and expertise with timely and easily-accessible data allows SavATree to do its important work, both for its clients and for the communities where their trees live.

The post Using Spiio to Tackle Dry Winters, Check Salinity Buildup, and Improve Tree Health appeared first on Spiio.

Paul Latshaw speaks with Spiio about how technology has already changed the work on golf courses, and what he sees coming in the future: What factors will have the biggest impact on golf grounds management? What role will technology play? What role will the state and federal government(s) play? Let’s take a look into the crystal ball with a man who knows the industry as well as anyone and see what the future could hold.

Experience and Excellence: Paul Latshaw and the Golf Course Industry
Paul B. Latshaw MSM CGCS is Director of Golf Course Operations at Merion Golf Club. People in the industry recognize him as one of the most influential names in turf management. Skimming his CV feels like reading through a list of the top 100 golf courses. He started his career as a greenskeeper at Oakmont Country Club before he worked as an assistant superintendent at Wilmington Country Club. Then he took over as superintendent at Merion Golf Club. He moved on to Oak Hill Country Club, then Muirfield Village Golf Club, and he is now back at Merion Golf Club. Throughout the years he probably collected more experience on professional tournaments than many active pro-players. He is an active member of professional associations like the GCSAA, the Central Ohio GSCA, the Ohio Turfgrass Foundation, The Penn State Alumni Association, and the Toro Turfgrass Scholarship Panel.

The Heritage and Prestige of Merion Golf Club
All in all, Merion is about golf. It honors the history and continuing values of the game. Merion Golf Club, founded 1896, is located four miles north of Havertown, Pennsylvania. Merion’s East Course, a favorite of most golfers, is a traditional golf club where history has been made time and time again. It has hosted 18 USGA championships, more than any other club in the world. The course proudly continues its championship legacy, projected to host the 2022 Curtis Cup, 2026 U.S. Amateur, 2034 and 2046 U.S. Women’s Opens, and the 2030 and 2050 U.S. Opens.

Golf Course Management today: Providing the perfect playing conditions

When Paul B. Latshaw speaks about his work at the Merion Golf Club, you start to understand that there is a real craftsmanship and art behind golf course management: “Everything we do is geared toward the playing conditions and providing the best surfaces possible. The goal at Merion is to provide fast and firm playing surfaces on a regular basis. People come from all over the world to play Merion and you always want to provide a memorable experience with outstanding playing surfaces. We are in essence in the service industry.” All his experience at top-notch golf courses has refined Latshaw’s insight into industry trends.

“Providing outstanding playing conditions” – this has been the goal of golf course superintendents from the very start and it will remain so in the future. But many things in the industry are changing.

The Personnel Challenge: Maximizing Efficiency of Good Staff

One common concern among superintendents is that it is getting harder and harder to find affordable, qualified personnel. This trend has only been exacerbated over the last few years. At the same time, there have been incredible developments in technology for machinery and equipment. Paul Latshaw maintains that a course is only as good as its staff, and so a GCS is always looking to hire and keep great people. However, he argues, the development of autonomous machinery could help to reduce the pressure associated with finding adequate staff, especially during peak season, amid a difficult labor market.

“There will be more autonomous machinery on the courses that will lead to more efficiency. This trend will continue to grow. It is hard to find good staff, especially during the peak seasons, and the wages are increasing. These factors will support this trend.”

Although he thinks that there are many tasks that are better performed by human beings, Latshaw is optimistic that the technology push in autonomous machinery will lead to an increase in overall efficiency. “There are many ways personnel can be used that are better than cutting fairways or zig-zagging the fairway with a moisture meter if [a superintendent] can get this job done by technology.” he comments. “Instead, his staff can help better where it is needed most: For example, in complex decision making.” An irrigation decision is based on a variety of influence factors. There are weather predictions and organizational factors that have to be taken into account in addition to current moisture levels. Of course, data can help here.

The Data Opportunity: Efficient Operations Planning and Decision-making

Water management is one of the most important elements in golf course management. Many people think that rain is good for a golf course. But uncontrollable moisture due to rain can lead to disease pressure and soft playing conditions. Therefore, it is very important for superintendents to stay in control of their moisture levels.

The use of data has dramatically increased within the last decade, delivering valuable information to make informed decisions. This trend will only continue. Latshaw offers as an example that data could help him to detect defective sprinkler heads. If data indicates outliers in moisture levels on comparable golf course areas with similar soil types, it might indicate a problem in the irrigation system, like a blocked sprinkler head. Then he can send someone out to that specific location to check the irrigation system. 

“Let us take irrigation decisions as an example. They are the biggest part of the whole job. These are very complex decisions. We are having long discussions about it. The more data points I have to make irrigation decisions, the better I can make these decisions with confidence.”

In-ground data systems deliver the ability to constantly track the course. This means that instead of running around all day taking moisture level measurements, staff can be sent to identified problematic spots to work on solutions. The same is true for hard irrigation decisions. Data adds more insights to these complex decisions. In the future, there might be more advanced systems that not only report data, but actually provide recommendations for irrigation decisions. 

Paul Latshaw points out: “Irrigation amounts are based on science, but there is a true art to water management along with intuition!”. Even though he would rather make the final call himself than leave it up to a system, he says that he would use these recommendations as additional data points to inform his irrigation decisions.

The Environmental Challenge: Regulations on the Use of Water and Chemicals

But another obvious trend that is starting to shake the industry is regulation. Water regulations and restrictions have been or are being adopted in many states. As we are seeing declining water levels in our rivers and lakes, it is only a matter of time before every superintendent and irrigator starts factoring the availability and price of water into their irrigation equation. Some parts of the country might for now be more affected than others, but the overall trend is clear.

The list of countermeasures is long: Sustainable irrigation management includes smart golf course design, the use of alternative water sources, low-consuming grass types, seasonal irrigation management, and renewed irrigation technologies. One cost-effective way to conserve water is the use of technology, like data from drones and in-ground data. The European Golf Association (EGA) states that precise knowledge about moisture levels and appropriately adjusted irrigation can lead to a 15-20% reduction in water consumption. (https://www.ega-golf.ch/best-practice/water-use-and-golf-courses-irrigation-optimization). 

Water is already the biggest cost factor for many golf courses, and there is no sign that this situation will relax. Considering this, the benefits of water-saving technology easily outweigh the costs.

“In the future, the industry will have to deal more and more with regulations and restrictions. We can already feel it for water. Other countries are reducing chemical inputs; this could also become a topic in the US.”

Latshaw foresees that irrigation decisions will not only have to consider costs. Restrictions might force golf clubs to decide between using the majority of an annual water ration in high season, shooting for that nice green color all over the course, and prolonging the season as much as possible. Management decisions will include at what point during the season you want to have a perfect green and at what point you have to keep the fairways a bit dryer and browner. 

Latshaw also assumes that restrictions and regulations that we now see in the use of water could extend to another field of golf course management: the use of chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers. Further research has to be done to determine if such regulative actions actually have positive effects, but as other countries are adopting them, golf courses in the U.S. may need to be prepared for the possibility of chemical regulation as well. . In such a future, superintendents would have to be very informed in order to maximize their use of a specific limited contingent.

Technology Shifts: Evaluating the Potential of the Unknown

However, Latshaw points to one factor where he would not dare to attempt precise predictions. This factor is the field of technology. Latshaw confesses that the technological developments in the last ten years have surprised him. “Look at pump systems,” he says. “Back in the day, you had to go down to a pump station to check on the performance and adjust the pump system. Today, everything can be checked and adjusted on an irrigation system app. You have full control using your phone.”

“There has been an incredible technology push over the past ten years. It is very hard to predict what will happen in the next few years, but I am certain that it will have a big impact on our daily operations.”

The adoption of such rapidly-developing technology is very hard to predict. Our collective data and understanding is growing. Assistant superintendents that have recently finished their education and started into their careers are increasingly data-driven. Integrations and automations are possible in many areas.

Moisture and temperature data can be combined with irrigation systems, course management systems like Playbooks and Greenkeeper, or in-ground heating and cooling systems that are able to manage moisture levels in greens. Salinity and temperature data can potentially inform autonomous pesticide application machinery (though, again, Latshaw stresses that there will always be a necessary human aspect to chemical application). In that way the individual strengths of various systems can be combined to maximize the outcome for operations management.

Paul Latshaw likes technology that is simple and easy to use. As we move forward, it will become even more critical for golf course management to stay informed and open to new technology, evaluating costs and benefits. Ultimately, superintendents may need to rely on an intuitive gut feeling as they navigate which technologies can best help them in their daily operations.

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Chris Reverie grew up on the golf course that his grandfather built. “I ended up running that operation for quite some time,” he says, detailing the start of his career in the turf industry. He completed the Turf Grass Studies at Rutgers University, interning at Merion Golf Club. He then began as a director of operations at the Shepherd Hills Golf Club. After that, he owned the Indian Creek golf course until it closed in 2014. That’s when he came to the Allentown Municipal Golf course as superintendent. “It was supposed to be a few months, and it’s been seven years now,” he jokingly reflects.

You look at it as a cost-savings in labor, water, and other resources, Spiio sensors are very affordable.

With this varied and extensive experience on Pennsylvania turf, Reverie has noticed many of the difficulties faced by courses. “The country club is its own animal,” he says. “Any business that involves families is tough.” In addition, he notes that there are unique challenges inherent to working for municipalities as opposed to a public or private course. “There are lots of processes,” he notes. You can’t just manage your staff on your own; there are policies and oversight that have to be considered. There’s also the need to communicate effectively with customers and residents along with city council, unions, and other stakeholders.

Savings with Spiio: Reducing Irrigation and Labor Expenses with Spiio Sensors

Reverie has been proactive in finding solutions to these demands. One source of help has been Spiio technology. He’s had six Spiio sensors working for over a year now, and the benefit has been “enormous.” “Once I established the baseline, last fall when the turf was really healthy and I liked the growing conditions, I used those numbers to create a plan for the season. There’s an afternoon here and there where you think you should run water, but you see one of the greens and say, ‘Nah, it’s good.’ But other mornings, you wake up and say, ‘We gotta get in there and water now.’”

It’s ultimately a savings in labor, because it means not having to have guys babysit greens all afternoon.”

Having that baseline to refer to and make decisions based directly on in-ground data is a big deal for municipal courses like Allentown. “We’re a facility that is going to do 52,000 rounds this season with daily play starting at 6 am every morning. Planning around the morning and evening league play makes it n tough to get out and hand-water, especially in the afternoon. Having the ability to know, ‘Okay, if I put 12 minutes of water out, we’ll be fine through the afternoon’ is a great help. It’s ultimately a savings in labor, and overtime not having guys babysit greens all afternoon and hopefully get me home before dark.”

Healthier Turf and a Happier Super: The Benefits of Spiio That Don’t Come with a Price Tag

In addition to the economic advantage, the quality of the course has benefited greatly! Conditioning is a science, and this is a great tool to have in the box. Having greater insight into soil moisture levels Is a key function in our PM plan “I can more accurately plan for fluctuations in weather and disease pressure” “I find most damage in the industry is by our own doing but by knowing the soil moisture and temperature we can gauge those cultural practices” “Being a municipal golf course and with the amount of traffic we have, balancing soil moisture for playability means that making sure the turf is not too soft is key.

Spiio also offers some peace of mind and time away from the course for a busy superintendent.

If we have 350 people coming and our greens are wet, we’ll have a lot of ball marks. Keeping the ground a little firmer is better. This has boded well with us over the last year.” Knowing the status of the soil’s moisture immediately and consistently allows Reverie to order the quantity and timing of water so that it strikes that balance. Spiio also offers some peace of mind and time away from the course for a busy superintendent.

A Low Barrier to Entry: The Ease and Affordability of Getting Started with Spiio Sensors

Reverie was also impressed by the accessibility of getting started with Spiio—both in terms of installation and in terms of price. “It’s plug and play; it’s fantastic. The staff at the company, as well as the distributor, Hodges Rash, take care of everything for you and answer any questions for you. It’s simple and easy. I can put the sensors in and be up and running the next day.” He goes on,

You look at it as a cost-savings in labor, water, and other resources, Spiio sensors are very affordable.

The post Playability, Price, and Peace of Mind: How Spiio Helps Meet the Unique Needs of a Municipal Course appeared first on Spiio.

Andy Eick grew up on a dairy farm in the village of Medina, near Buffalo, NY. With his dad’s encouragement, teenaged Andy decided to look for a job and found one at Shelridge Country Club. He discovered that caring for grass was similar to caring for the corn on his farm (both being monocots). He also realized how much he loved being outside.

When it came time, he decided to attend Purdue University, where he played Division 1 rugby and studied Turfgrass Management. During college he also interned at the just-opened Bridge Golf Club in Long Island and the Quechee Club in Vermont. From there, he was an assistant superintendent at the parkland Walpole Club and windy, seaside Kittansett Club in Massachusetts. Then he went to the Locust Hill Country Club in New York, which hosted the LPGA championship multiple times. 

Finding Your Recipe: Learning from Experience

 “I strategically tried to pick different experiences at each place I worked to fine-tune my skills, says Eick. “Working on a golf course is like an apprenticeship. It’s like making chili—everyone’s got their own recipe, but it’s still chili. You learn what you like and don’t like, and you eventually make your own recipe.” He came to Mohawk Golf Club in 2014 as a superintendent; he is now their director of facilities and agronomy. Mohawk has a rich history. Established in 1898, it boasts 200 acres including a Devereux-designed championship course and a tudor-style clubhouse. It’s the perfect venue for Eick to perfect his “recipe.” One piece of that recipe includes finding up-to-date ways of measuring soil temperatures.

Knowing What’s Happening: Measuring Soil Temperatures and Moisture Levels

Eick was drawn to the Spiio sensor initially while trying to dial in moisture readings. With help from the Spiio team, they successfully tuned the sensors into what their TDR readers were saying. He appreciates that he can get a quick snapshot of the moisture on his turf, especially in difficult areas.

^“I’ve got a green that’s the problem child here. Every course has a green that’s a thorn in their side. I put sensors there so I can always see what’s going on.”

In addition to moisture readings, Eick has learned that Spiio sensors can help guide decisions by measuring soil temperatures. These readings guide chemical application timing decisions, helping maximize turf disease response. For example, this is Mohawk’s first official spring with Spiio. “We’ve been tracking and found that even though we’ve had some warm days, the soil temperature hasn’t risen yet. We’re just not there yet for those applications. We’re close though.” 

Following Trends with Quantified Data

Clients like Eick who use Spiio consistently commend how easy it is to install and use. He also comments that the app is “super clean and timely.” He values having the data right away on his phone, and he’s excited to do more with it. For instance, he’s expecting a lot of rain soon. “I’m curious to see the trend of how things dry out when we get heavy rain.” Patterns like these are extremely useful, whether measuring soil temperatures or moisture.

For Eick, the value in Spiio sensors lies in this kind of quantified data.

“It takes the guessing nature out of it. People and weather are the most uncontrolled forces in the world, and we have a perishable product. We were getting lots of diseases. I have to try to time my applications to help with these.”

Chemical application timing is more accurate, and turf disease response is more effective, with reliable and consistent data.

“We’re always looking for having tools in our toolbelt as we manage our property.”

With his varied experience, Eick has learned never to stop learning. Spiio sensors are the latest ingredient in his recipe for turf care, and the flavor is only getting better.

The post Measuring Soil Temperatures with Spiio: Discovering the Recipe for Your Turf appeared first on Spiio.

Superintendent Curtis Harder discusses the ways that soil moisture monitoring with Spiio sensors has benefitted Blue Bell Country Club. With constant app updates and incredible ease of use and install, he sees these sensors as “invaluable.”

Curtis Harder has spent eighteen years in the turfgrass industry. Graduating from Delaware Valley University in 2009, he helped host the U.S. Women’s Open at Saucon Valley Country Club. He then moved to New Jersey’s Hollywood Golf Club and, later, Philadelphia Cricket Club, where he first became a superintendent. He is now going into his fifth season at Blue Bell Country Club. 

Blue Bell Country Club opened in 1994 and boasts close to 700 acres of diverse topography. Its beautiful landscape and social environment attract a healthy membership with a wide variety of golfers. In the last twelve months of the pandemic, they’ve seen a welcomed increase in membership. Golf has proven to be a great outlet during the pandemic, making it even more important to keep courses healthy. Thankfully, Curtis Harder installed four Spiios on the course in 2019. Spiio sensors help superintendents care for their turf through temperature, salinity, and soil moisture monitoring. 

Soil Moisture Monitoring with Spiio: Supplementing Traditional Readers

Of course, Harder and the staff at Blue Bell were diligent in soil moisture monitoring before Spiio, he says:

We still go out every day with TDR moisture readers, but Spiio tracks the data. If we get rainfall and we can see as the moisture percentage goes up and then goes back down. We can start to build a model and know what we need to do after rain. It helps us be a little more precise on the labor side. In the spring and summer when we’re busy with projects, we can take a quick look at the Spiio. We might say, ‘Okay, we’re good. We don’t have to worry about the greens right now.

In addition to soil moisture monitoring, Harder has found Spiio’s temperature data very helpful. “I really enjoy looking at the data,” says Harder. For example, he notes that when he makes an application for insects, he can see what’s working and what’s not. “I like seeing whether we need to apply a little sooner or later next time. For example, right now we’re probably close to two weeks ahead of where we were last year.” In the winter, he can see how the ground temperature fluctuates and determine whether snow removal is needed. Being able to track data around the clock presents new possibilities for making comparisons and decisions like these. 

I like seeing whether we need to apply a little sooner or later next time. For example, right now we’re probably close to two weeks ahead of where we were last year.

Curtis Harder

A Low-Risk Investment: Spiio Sensors’ Ease of Use and Install and App Updates

One of the biggest factors for Harder in making the decision to start soil moisture monitoring with Spiios was its ease of use and install. “Other companies offer something similar, but Spiio is on the forefront. Installation is easy, there are no wires to dig up—for just a couple hundred dollars, I think it’s invaluable.” And it’s not just installation; constant app updates keep Spiio data easy to access and use as well. “There have definitely been some good upgrades since we started out. It’s gotten easier and less quirky to use. Overall, it’s very user-friendly, and there are elements, like notifications, that I want to explore some more. It’s good to see that they’re always tweaking things.”

Other companies offer something similar, but Spiio is on the forefront. Installation is easy, there are no wires to dig up—for just a couple hundred dollars, I think it’s invaluable.

Curtis Harder

Another Point of Reference: Making More Informed Decisions

The biggest value Harder sees, though, is still in the soil moisture monitoring. He’s known, for example, that some of his greens are a touch drier than others. So, he spread out his sensors to get data across these localized areas where wind and sun create different microclimates. He’s actually in the process of installing three more Spiios:

I’m interested to see where we’ll put them—maybe one in the fairways to compare to the greens. It helps to see whether to run overhead irrigation or just water in a few areas. And we can look at the data from 5am and make those decisions in the office before we even go out for the day.

All in all, Harder appreciates having another point of reference in making decisions. “Whether we should send mowers out, what type of sprays we should do…it’s another measure to make more informed decisions.” He recognizes that not having to just rely on feeling for these decisions is particularly helpful for new assistants. He’s quick to acknowledge that he’s got a great staff. Spiio is a tool to help communicate with them as they make these decisions:

Some of them like to see what we’re seeing, to understand why we make the decisions we do. I take a screenshot for our green committee meeting to show the raw data and explain what we’re doing.

Spiio’s soil moisture monitoring, in addition to its other readings, offers superintendents like Harder valuable decision-guiding data. With unparalleled ease of use and install, plus the promise of constant improvement through app updates, it’s an easy decision.

The post Soil Moisture Monitoring: Data Modeling with Spiio Sensors appeared first on Spiio.

Recently partnered with TurfTasker, a growing communications and tracking platform for turfgrass professionals, Spiio is showing that its easy-to-integrate API opens new doors for the future of communication and automation in golf course operation.

One of the reasons Spiio is growing rapidly is that it’s optimized for integration with other emerging technologies. As the turf industry, along with much of the world, moves toward automation, this technological integration is key. One company that recognizes and is riding this trend is the comprehensive platform TurfTasker. 

TurfTasker: The Origins of a Comprehensive Platform

TurfTasker was started by three friends—two software engineers and a turfgrass professional who was working at Roger Dean Stadium in Florida. At one point, this friend expressed “At the stadium, we do everything on whiteboards, paper, and Excel. It’s real old school.” The three friends decided to work together to provide a more modernized data recording and communication solution for Roger Dean. 

“At the stadium, we do everything on whiteboards, paper, and Excel. It’s real old school.”

Alex Jacobs, TurfTasker

That’s how the project started, but it soon grew to be a lot more.

After some contact with other turf venues, the emerging TurfTasker soon realized that golf course operation would be a prime application for their new platform. By this point, several months of work had yielded a full-fledged product. TurfTasker provides clients with the potential for automation in many of their day-to-day operations. It offers property mapping, a comprehensive platform for tracking essential data, and—of course—the ability to integrate that platform with other technologies.

Using Spiio Data to Enhance Potential Automation

Alex Jacobs, one of the founders of TurfTasker, has expressed his excitement about the budding partnership with Spiio. “The integration was easy,” he says, “and the data is awesome. It really takes us to the next level.” Rather than positioning the app as a widget within the platform, TurfTasker pulls Spiio data directly from Spiio’s API to populate its graphically-friendly tables and charts. Alex built out a one-page portal where you can really see the potential for automation at play. For example, he says, “You can schedule a task to Worker X that’s dependent on whether it’s supposed to rain.” Integrated with local weather forecasting and soil moisture data from Spiio sensors, the system does the analysis and delegation on its own. This communication between technologies really opens doors for golf course operation.

“You can schedule a task to Worker X that’s dependent on whether it’s supposed to rain.” Integrated with local weather forecasting and soil moisture data from Spiio sensors, the system does the analysis and delegation on its own.

Alex Jacobs, TurfTasker

Though it’s a valuable product now, TurfTasker is only getting started. Its vision for automation includes the ability to combine property mapping and inventory records to show users exactly what they’ve got and what a given task will cost. Imagine this scenario: TurfTasker pulls information on soil temperatures from Spiio data to determine whether a chemical application is needed in a certain area of turf. It then uses property mapping, area calculation, and inventory tracking to figure out how much product would be needed, how much would be left afterward, and how much the task would cost before assigning that task to a specific worker.

Looking to the Future: Plans and Possibilities

TurfTasker has a lot planned in the near future. We can soon see another almost-too-good scenario becoming possible: Spiio provides real-time data on soil moisture, and irrigation responds to set thresholds by watering where and when it’s needed. In a post-Covid world that increasingly values remote and labor-efficient work, this kind of automation is a lifesaver for turfgrass professionals. “It would cut down workforce and save water, which is necessary for both financial and environmental conscientiousness,” Jacobs points out.

It would cut down workforce and save water, which is necessary for both financial and environmental conscientiousness.

Alex Jacobs

The integration between Spiio and TurfTasker is mutually beneficial. Spiio is quickly becoming a well-established product with a reputation for value and dependability. TurfTasker is unique because it is a much more comprehensive product than many of its competitors. “We’re excited to see a partnership with Spiio develop,” says Jacobs. Speaking with him about it, it’s clear that we’re witnessing a turning point in which communication between technologies like Spiio and TurfTasker is creating new possibilities for the future of golf course operation.

Read more about Spiio’s API here and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

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When the pandemic struck, like many courses, the Columbus Country Club found itself with drastically reduced staff. In order to help them maintain their turf, they participated in Spiio’s Covid-19 relief program. The data-driven benefits they saw have lasted far longer than their staffing troubles.

When JR Lynn turned 16, he wanted to look for a job. He decided it would be cool to work on a golf course—primarily because he’d have access to free golf—and so he started at the Silver Lake Country Club. He wondered if there was a future in this, so, he recollects, “I asked my boss about his position and how he got there, and he pointed me in the direction of Ohio State. I went and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in turfgrass management, and while I was there, I got some experience with tournaments. After graduation, I took my first big job in Indiana, and my career kicked off from there.”

Weathering the Covid-19 Storm

JR Lynn is now the green superintendent at Columbus Country Club in Columbus, Ohio. He’s been there for a few years, and he’s witnessed a lot. This last year, the Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to the course. “Initially,” he says, “we had to furlough most of our staff. Whereas we normally have around thirty staff members going into June, we now had six. Everyone had to wear multiple jackets. We were back to an almost-normal staffing level by the end of the summer, but still somewhat restricted because it was nearing the end of the season.” They made the most of the situation, hosting an amateur event and somehow pulling together just enough to hit their milestones.

“We were able to put sensors in the ground right away and have set points, or thresholds, where we knew exactly when we needed to go out and water. We could also gauge our initial applications dependent on soil temperatures. Spiio made it possible to have a plan of attack, and still follow our own recipe.”

JR Lynn, Columbus Country Club

Spiio’s Covid Relief Program: How Being Data-Driven Helped

One of the things that helped the club get through this difficult stretch was the Spiio Covid relief program. Toward the beginning of the year, when the program started, Lynn recognized the value it could bring. “We’re very agronomically driven,” he says, “and dependent on our science.”  He applied for help, and the club received three Spiios as part of the program. “We were able to put sensors in the ground right away and have set points, or thresholds, where we knew exactly when we needed to go out and water. We could also gauge our initial applications dependent on soil temperatures. Spiio made it possible to have a plan of attack, and still follow our own recipe.”

Benefits of Using Data-Driven Approach

The biggest benefit that came from using Spiio sensors, says Lynn, has been water management;

“Water management is such a big aspect of turfgrass management; it drives the health of the turf and our ability to maximize playability.”

He also notes that data-driven approach is a great tool in educating club members, helping staff and members talk about what’s happening when there are changes on the turf. 

As they’ve utilized the data from Spiio sensors, Lynn and his staff have already learned a few things. They soon found they could better monitor microclimates and discover why, for example, their thirteenth or sixteenth pockets stayed frozen later in the spring than the rest of the course. The data also helps them set realistic expectations for the labor they need. They’ve also been able to reduce labor costs by taking out the guesswork out of monitoring and watering. Before, when a few days went by they’d start to get the itch to send someone out to monitor whether they needed to water. Now they can look at the data and have confidence in when they do—and don’t—need to send someone out. As JR Lynn points out:

“Everything in today’s world is data-driven. Being able to have something tangible in the form of Spiio data is really useful.”

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