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.

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Survey conducted by Golf Course Superintendents Association of America also shows increased implementation of water best management practices at U.S. courses

Lawrence, Kan. (July 26, 2022) – Golf courses in the U.S. used 29 percent less water in 2020, compared with usage in 2005, according to recently released survey data. The 2021 survey was conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded by the GCSAA Foundation as part of its Golf Course Environmental Profile program, which began in 2005.

The report found that U.S. golf facilities applied approximately 1.68 million acre-feet of water in 2020, a 29% reduction since 2005. Two-thirds of the reduction was likely a result of operational golf facilities applying water more efficiently.

Two-thirds of the reduction was likely a result of operational golf facilities applying water more efficiently.

The survey results from nearly 1,600 golf course superintendents were collected and independently analyzed by scientists Travis Shaddox, Ph.D., Bluegrass Art and Science LLC., and J. Bryan Unruh, Ph.D. University of Florida, and the National Golf Foundation (NGF), which published the findings for peer review before making the information public.

“Data from the 2021 water use benchmarking survey show that golf course superintendents continue to reduce water use at their facilities. The survey results indicate a 9% reduction in applied water since 2013, totaling a 29% reduction since the inaugural survey was conducted,” Unruh said. “Similarly, the median acre-feet per acre, a measure of water use efficiency, has improved by 23% since 2005.”

The most common sources of water, according to the report, were wells (32%) and lakes and ponds (23%). Less water was applied in 2020 from each water source than in 2005 except for recycled water, which accounted for 21% of water applied.

Golf course superintendents have also increased the use of best management practices (BMPs) that can lead to reductions in water usage. BMPs such as keeping turf drier, pruning tree roots, changing to a more drought-tolerant turfgrass, mulching landscape beds and increasing no-mow acres were significantly associated with reductions in applied water.

The study also provides data on average water use in the seven different agronomic regions of the country. Decreased water use was seen in every region. The greatest water use applied per acre happened in the Southwest and Upper West/Mountain – two regions that have high average temperatures and low average rainfall.

Golf course superintendents are responsible stewards of water resources, and the latest national survey results demonstrate that

Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA

“Golf course superintendents are responsible stewards of water resources, and the latest national survey results demonstrate that,” said Rhett Evans, CEO of GCSAA. “Superintendents are committed  to efficient water management and have implemented evidence-based best management practices that result in reduced water use. All golf facilities should maintain a BMP manual and strive for continuous improvement as water management plans are an important aspect of BMPs and overall environmental sustainability.”

As part of the third series of its Golf Course Environmental Profile program, GCSAA will publish two additional national surveys related to golf course management over the next two years.

To learn more and to see the complete survey report, read the upcoming August issue of GCSAA’s GCM magazine at gcmonline.com.

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Chevy Chase Country Club is a beautiful championship golf course situated near Chicago in Wheeling, Illinois. Jeremy Turton has been the course superintendent for over six years now. He brought with him about 20 years of experience, having previously been the super at the George Dunne National Golf Course in Oak Forest, IL. Before that, he worked as an assistant superintendent at Idlewild Country Club (Flossmoor, IL), Glenwoodie Golf Course (Glenwood, IL), and Thunderbird Hills Golf Course Huron, OH).

Turton’s career started, however, like many others, with a high school job on a grounds course. He attributes his initial interest in the field to that initial job, which was at a course near Cleveland. “I really enjoyed being able to see instant results from my work. I also learned a lot from the super there,” he says.

That superintendent was the one who pointed Turton toward the Turf and Turfgrass Management program at Ohio State University, where he got his degree. His initial job hunt landed him in Chicago for a couple of seasons, and the rest is history.

Challenges at Chevy Chase

“This job at Chevy Chase actually came to me,” says Turton. The course needed lots of help, and its staff and leadership trusted Turton to bring that help. “There was definitely some overwatering going on, and there wasn’t any aerifying. I don’t know that I’d ever seen greens quite like that.”

However, Turton also acknowledges that at Chevy Chase he found “the best crew I’ve worked with. They have a lot of experience, and they don’t need me to babysit them.” Together, they worked to drastically improve the course’s health and playability.

It’s been a challenging few years, to say the least. In 2017, the course experienced massive flooding and had to close for the season. Then, of course, three years later came Covid-19, which rocked the industry everywhere. However, he’s overseen progress and improvement even through these obstacles.

Spiio, Watering Efficiency, and Course Playability

One of Turton’s most recent efforts to continue improving the Chevy Chase course was to install a Spiio sensor. He decided to compare its moisture readings with the TDR readings he had been using already.

“I use Spiio as a baseline. I can see drydowns there.” He placed a sensor in a section of the green that was drying out faster than other sections. “It’s our alert,” he says. “It’s typically the first spot we have to check with the TDR, and we often have to hand water there. So, we know that as long as that spot is doing well, everywhere else is good too.”

Climate change and other large-scale factors make real-time data that much more necessary.

The primary reason Turton has for using Spiio to monitor the course is to get reliable data for water management. The goal is to decrease watering as much as possible. In addition to the expense and environmental cost of overwatering, too much moisture also leads to disease in turfgrass. Specifically on a golf course, another factor to keep in mind is playability. The turf needs to be dry enough to be firm for playing (while, of course, staying healthy enough to be sustainable.)

The Long-Term: Climate Change and the Relevance of Spiio’s Current Data

In addition to moisture, Turton also uses Spiio to check soil temperatures under 65 degrees. That temperature threshold gives him important information about when to apply fungicides.

But moisture is the biggest interest for Turton. The data from Spiio informs agronomic decisions, such as whether and how much to water, which Turton monitors by watching the decrease in moisture throughout the day.

Watering and other agronomic decisions are further impacted by larger factors like climate change. “It feels like the season is longer; fall stretches longer and winter slams harder,” notices Turton.

Watering and other agronomic decisions are further impacted by larger factors like climate change. “It feels like the season is longer; fall stretches longer and winter slams harder,” notices Turton. “That affects the impact of storms, which we are having to worry about on a more regular basis than we used to. Staying warm longer also effects our fungicide applications.”

Climate change and other large-scale factors make real-time data that much more necessary. Many highly experienced professionals in the turfgrass industry are recognizing the value of in-ground data. It’s becoming increasingly the case that what happened last year and the year before, let alone ten or twenty years ago, just might not happen this year. Those who see the value of concrete, timely data are more likely to invest in technology like Spiio to inform their agronomic decision-making.

The Short-Term: Spiio’s Impact on Staff Training, Course Playability, and Ease of Data Access

However, even aside from long-term issues like climate change, real-time data pays off here and now. A course’s playability is directly affected by its watering, and that watering has shown to be more efficient and more cost-effective when determined by relevant and current data.

Best of all, the data comes easily to the user. “The app is addictive!” admits Turton. He is one of many who really appreciates the ease of access to the most recent data, which updates regularly. These updates allow the user to quickly notice crucial trends in the soil throughout the day.

“The app is addictive!” admits Turton. These updates allow the user to quickly notice crucial trends in the soil throughout the day.

Finally, we know that no technology can completely replace the necessity of good, reliable staff. Turton has noticed that Spiio data has actually helped him in working with his staff. For example, he has a new assistant whose professional background is slightly outside the field. While his assistant is being trained on some of the intricacies of managing a golf course, it helps Turton to have demonstrable data to point to.

Right now, Turton still has already noticed its potential in the short and long term, especially when it comes to watering decisions. That kind of opportunity-oriented focus on improvement is one of the reasons that Turton and his capable staff have helped make Chevy Chase the destination that it is.

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For most, the idea of researching for a PhD conjures up images of a frazzled student poring over books, spending hours in front of a computer, or slaving away in a laboratory. For Travis Roberson at Virginia Tech, however, doctoral research is happening outside on the golf course. His research focuses on water conservation—specifically, using in-ground sensors, drones and light reflectance tov build a correlation for soil moisture. That information can be used to make data-driven decisions, and data-driven decisions are what Spiio is all about.

Research and Partnership: Roberson, Virginia Tech, Independence Golf Club, and Spiio

When Roberson finished his undergraduate research at Virginia Tech, his advisor, Dr. David McCall, introduced him to his research using light reflectance for water conservation. After gaining some foundational knowledge and getting to experiment with some of the advisor’s equipment, an interest was sparked.

The connection to a golf course was incidental. “I had never played golf,” says Roberson. “I loved the agronomy, the science, and I got introduced to golf from the first job I ever had.” I worked  as a greenkeeper  many years prior and gained exposure to  the importance of incorporating data into management decisions.

I loved the agronomy, the science, and I got introduced to golf from the first job I ever had.

That brings us to 2017, when Roberson was at Virginia Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg. He was doing greenhouse studies, looking at using the same technology through  intensive drydowns. David McCall and  Jordan Booth, predecessor to Travis, , struck a partnership with Giff Breed, president of Independence Golf Club. In essence, VT uses the Bear research course at Independence for real-world research, and that research is marketed for interest. Then, when Booth left to work at USGA, Roberson picked up where he left off.

Roberson came across Spiio at an industry conference and was very interested, as was the owner of the course. Roberson requested some sensors from Spiio to use in his research, and another partnership was born. In early May, Independence Golf Club installed sixty Spiio sensors in their greens.

Potential Gains from Roberson’s Research with Spiio: Water Conservation

“One issue that we have with the research I’m doing using drones is that we need a real-world way of using the data,” notes Roberson. “The optimal way would be that data would automatically inform the decision about when and how much to water, and then do it. But we’re not there technologically.” Roberson hopes that Spiio sensors will help bridge that technological gap.

The optimal way would be that data would automatically inform the decision about when and how much to water, and then do it.

There are a few key ways that Roberson sees Spiio sensors contributing to his research.

The first area of opportunity, of course, is water. Roberson points out that “water is the most limiting resource for the planet. Everything depends on water.” He also notes that “because golf courses are in the agriculture field but are there for leisure (rather than food or another necessity), using excessive water for turf quality preservation can be frowned upon, especially in a drought.”

In addition to growing concerns about climate change, drought, and other environmental factors, water conservation is crucial in this field because water is such a key part of managing healthy turfgrass. Water determines nutrient uptake as well as basic survival and appearance of any plant. However, those in the turfgrass field know that you can overdo it. Overwatering not only wastes money, but it also causes disease, weed growth, and other problems that cost even more money to treat. 

Using excessive water for turf quality preservation can be frowned upon, especially in a drought.

One question Roberson has going into the Spiio partnership is how to determine optimal placement of the sensors. Right now, the best way to decide where to place them is  based on historical knowledge from the superintendent. You ask where the wettest and driest areas are, and make decisions from these areas of interest.. Roberson hopes that eventually, that decision can be made with data as well. His research is primarily on fairways (since that is typically where the most water consumption occurs).

Additional Insights: Winterkill and Soil Temperature Monitoring

Another major research objective that Roberson aims to utilize Spiio for is winterkill.  Winterkill is an important research area for Independence Golf Club, because it is a huge issue in the transition zone. “Greens are a lifeline,” states Roberson. “Lose those, and people lose jobs. We get cold enough that the greens in the top few inches are sand-based and fluctuate a lot in temperature. Bermuda grass is not adapted for severe temperature fluctuations we tend to observe in the transition zone; which can lead to potential death of the plant .”

Professionals combat winterkill by using covers to retain warmth and keep greens alive. However, revenue is lost when you have to keep greens constantly covered. Spiio sensors track soil temperature continuously and makes them optimal for winterkill research since soil temperature cannot be taken when the greens are covered. Roberson plans to install sensors under makeshift covers to track the minimum temperatures and find out exactly when you need to cover to prevent winterkill.

From what I’ve seen with Spiios so far, and assuming we’re able to collect the data we’re looking for— I think they’ll provide significant reductions in water usage.

Roberson is optimistic that the results of this project will be positive. “I don’t have data to support this yet, but I think—from what I’ve seen with Spiios so far, and assuming we’re able to collect the data we’re looking for— I think they’ll provide significant reductions in water usage. I also think we’ll be able to use these sensors to provide input, in real time, on when to cover and not to cover. As we tease out the data, I think we’ll be able to notify golf course superintendents within hours of when they need to cover.

All in all, the partnership is promising. The ability to make data-driven decisions in turf care has the potential to pay off in the short- and long-term, and we are continuing to discover new applications for that potential to improve water conservation and winterkill.

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Sense and measure it

Powerful technologies continuously emerge to help conserve resources, lower maintenance costs, reduce required labor and light a path for greater environmental efficiency.

Technology in 2022 includes in-ground moisture meters, data products, irrigation software, drones, metrics, task-oriented platforms, mobile grow lights, apps that simulate shade, software for growing degree days, a variety of ways to learn about the weather and so much more, like autonomous mowing machines. A convenient method for manufacturing clouds or a self-repairing green would be fabulous but let’s examine two real blossoming technologies, in and on the ground.

Originally designed for living green walls, Spiio’s moisture sensors are being used at nearly 500 golf courses worldwide, as well as at about 75 colleges, universities and professional sports venues. The sensors help with water conservation, precision irrigation and in-ground data that tracks moisture, temperature and salinity.

“We rebuilt and improved the moisture sensor in this version and we also moved from 3G to 5G,” giving the product fast and vast accessibility, says Dave Latshaw, Spiio’s national sales manager.

The sensors are quick to install, taking literally a few minutes to place and connect online. Currently on the market are the SP-110s, the second iteration of this product. “We rebuilt and improved the moisture sensor in this version and we also moved from 3G to 5G,” giving the product fast and vast accessibility, says Dave Latshaw, Spiio’s national sales manager. The sensors transmit data every five hours and the newly released Spiio dashboard is more detailed. The dashboard can show a geospatial display that can be layered with AutoCAD drawings and weather satellite imagery. Based on sensor data the app can send push notifications and alerts. Users can build different irrigation profiles for a variety of grass and soil types, all to help agronomists provide the best conditions on course for resource efficiency and playability.

Tim Huber, the director of agronomy for The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas, started the property with a few sensors, moved to 20 and is planning to use as many as 180 in 2022. “The installation process is not difficult,” he says. “Deciding where to place the sensors and how you want to use the data before set up is important. It’s a good idea to do some data entry for each sensor before you get in the field.”

“Deciding where to place the sensors and how you want to use the data before set up is important. It’s a good idea to do some data entry for each sensor before you get in the field.”

Tim Huber

The Club at Carlton Woods has two championship courses, designed by Tom Fazio and Jack Nicklaus, in addition to state-of-the-art teaching facilities. “Data collection from the sensors is great because it happens automatically and at the same location, every day, without fail,” Huber says. “We have baseline information so our team can compare areas. We can look at current or past data to see trends for our main concerns, mostly moisture and soil temperature. It’s the way of the future. The energy the Spiio team has matches the urgency of the need to conserve water. Superintendents are sound environmentalists and stewards of resources, and these sensors are an affordable way to help achieve greater water savings and better playability.”

The sensors are best placed in the root zone. They need to be accommodated for during certain maintenance practices, such as aerating, but they can be temporarily moved or avoided. The SP-110s last five years and the value of data being recorded consistently cannot be underestimated. It doesn’t matter who is at the course, or what’s happening, that data is always going to be there for the person in charge. That data is more reliable than how things look, won’t disrupt play the way that manual readings might and can help not only conserve water but can reduce irrigation-related labor.

The sensors are best placed in the root zone. They need to be accommodated for during certain maintenance practices, such as aerating, but they can be temporarily moved or avoided. The SP-110s last five years and the value of data being recorded consistently cannot be underestimated. It doesn’t matter who is at the course, or what’s happening, that data is always going to be there for the person in charge. That data is more reliable than how things look, won’t disrupt play the way that manual readings might and can help not only conserve water but can reduce irrigation-related labor.

The value of data being recorded consistently cannot be underestimated. It doesn’t matter who is at the course, or what’s happening, that data is always going to be there for the person in charge.

Tim Huber

Naming Deacon

Inspired by Deke Palmer, and as a wonderful tribute to him, the USGA named its multi-functional data management tool “Deacon.” The word “deacon” comes from the Greek “diakonos,” which means servant. Christians identify deacons as people who serve and care for others. Deacon, shortened to “Deke,” was an apt nickname that stuck to Milfred Jerome Palmer, Arnold Palmer’s father, during grade school. It started when he was watching out for someone named Deacon who people were “giving a rough time.” Deke was reserved and thoughtful. He cared for Latrobe Country Club’s course for 50 years, advancing agronomic practices, making common-sense decisions and showing his children how to treat others. Deacon is designed to help maintenance staff provide the same careful care that Deke Palmer did for people, their courses and the game of golf.

There are videos and articles online to learn more about Spiio and how the installation works. “We follow up and 24/7 customer support is available,” Latshaw says. “Spiio helps with large installations or clients can call the tech team to schedule a time.” Spiio’s customers are largely in the southwest, but users throughout the U.S. and internationally are benefiting from this in-ground technology.

Let’s check what’s happening on the surface …

Deacon is an online platform, developed by the USGA and already helping more than 100 properties. It has three main uses: a GPS service, association licensing and surface management. The GPS service enables courses to analyze golfer traffic to determine where managed turf can be reduced. Association licensing creates precise hole-location printouts. The surface management platform provides a centralized way to record data and see how agronomic practices affect playing surfaces.

Deacon began as a concept conceived several years ago by Jim Moore, a USGA agronomist who has since retired. Moore observed how uniformly courses were being maintained even though various sections of the course will thrive with different inputs and levels of conditioning. It sounds simple but the sum exceeds the value of its parts with daily record-keeping. Deacon helps through visual displays and various formulas, including those that track costs-per-acre, even on parts of the course that are maintained differently.

Hunki Yun, the USGA Green Section’s director of business development, explains that Deacon was created to provide an easy-to-use tool to provide the ultimate player experience while prioritizing resource utilization. “A golf course being financially responsible and efficient benefits the environment,” Yun says. “Moore knew we could better measure how resources are being used and better manage the areas that golfers use.”

With Tifway Bermuda tees and fairways, Champion Ultradwarf greens, and pulchritudinous native sandscape serving as rough, Pinehurst No. 2 was an ideal candidate for the pilot program. “We have been beta testing and using Deacon for five or six years,” course superintendent John Jeffreys says. “We’ve been collecting data on mowing and cultural practices, topdressing, fertility, growth regulation and seeing how all that impacted the greens. We have a data set that illustrates stimulus-and-response. That helped guide the surface management.

“We can be more predictive now and we run trials for big events. For example, for the U.S. Amateur in 2019, we did things in 2018 around the same time of year to make sure we were ready. Deacon helps us give everyone the conditions they expect. It’s about using our data to make the golfer experience that much better.”

Challenges with Deacon include making sure measurements are taken and recorded daily. Surprisingly, Deacon helped the agronomic team learn that some practices weren’t having the expected effect. The team made educated adjustments. A few other courses at Pinehurst also use Deacon so the management teams can compare notes about practices on similar terrain.

Tech through time

Paul B. Latshaw and his team at the renowned Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania, graciously provided a summary of how maintenance tech has progressed. With irrigation, there were snap valves and manual heads, and manual monitoring of the pump flow was required to avoid low-pressure faulting. Now, there are VIHs with remote options, smart phone access and central controls. No one has to work the pumps overnight or fix something early in the morning if the irrigation didn’t work. For moisture monitoring, there was the knife test, soil probes, manual feel or a visual drought inspection. Now, there are handheld TDRs, in-ground moisture/temperature/salinity sensors and data routed to a single platform for trend monitoring — the approach is more scientific. For spraying, the spray patterns were all visual and many measurements were taken by hand. Now, machinery comes with GPS systems designed for accuracy within a fraction of an inch, yielding product savings and more exact applications. With data, records were kept manually (when they were kept at all) for spraying, watering, stimping, equipment maintenance, weather and more. Shade was discerned through observation and there was limited access to aerial documentation and photography. Providing members with data and information was completely different. Now, there are many apps for these maintenance elements and to save course data as well as predict future trends. Drones make aerial work accessible and there are programs that help with task documentation and labor tracking. For surface management, it wasn’t possible to change surface humidity, improve stagnant greens, manipulate rootzone temperatures or reduce rootzone moisture, and there were fixed mower heads and limited options for greens mowers. Now, fans dramatically improve air circulation and putting green quality; there are PrecisionAire and hydronic systems to adjust moisture, heating and cooling; mobile grow lights help with light-deprived areas; and floating head units provide variable set-up options for every course. Looking into the future, the technology that could have a big impact is autonomous mowing, particularly autonomous fairway units. A well-designed, reliable unit will help alleviate labor shortages, ease budget pressure, increase productivity and provide consistent results.

With Deacon, no installation is involved. It’s a matter of turning on subscriptions for whoever wants access to the surface management tool. “One key mission for the USGA is to improve the on-course playing experience,” Yun says. “What is proving popular is for superintendents to track their practices regularly and then measure the playing qualities, green speed being the most prevalent. When they compare practices to results, they learn what it takes to provide the best possible playing conditions.”

During meetings with decision makers, numbers are more persuasive than charm. “We are able to show our executive team data that helps guide us to golfer satisfaction,” Jeffreys says. They can respond to customer surveys and describe playing conditions every day, even for years ago, because it is all recorded.

“It’s eye-opening for the executive team to see how invested we are in our product and how we take care of it,” Jeffreys says. “Deacon influences how we manage our water, mowing frequency and fertilizer applications,” which adds up to greater resource efficiency.

Pinehurst No. 2 has been using less water, has removed 35 acres of managed turf and encouraged native areas that don’t require any inputs. During the 2010 restoration, irrigation heads were reduced from 1,500 to 450, using 20 percent of the water previously used. “We appreciate what the USGA does for us through friendships, colleagues and exchanging ideas,” Jeffreys says. Deacon has benefited from this partnership between development and field-testing, and the rest of the industry now benefits, too.

“Sustainability is a huge goal for the USGA,” Yun says. “We need to make sure facilities are financially and environmentally viable. Every state has published BMPs and Deacon can be a tool for recording inputs and cultural practices. We didn’t foresee that but as the industry evolves, Deacon is capable of evolving.”

Lee Carr is a Northeast Ohio-based writer and frequent Golf Course Industry contributor.

The post Golf Course Industry: Sense and measure it appeared first on Spiio.

Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for nearly 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. As much as half of this water is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff, often caused by improper irrigation system design, installation, maintenance, or scheduling.

Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for nearly 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation

To help increase outdoor water efficiency, WaterSense issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to develop a specification for soil moisture-based control technologies that will complement the existing weather-based irrigation controller specification.

The majority of irrigation systems use manually programmed clock timers, for which the homeowner, building owner, or irrigation professional schedules watering events and times. Because schedules are often set to water at the height of the growing season and might not be adjusted to reflect seasonal or changes or watering needs, an irrigation system could be watering in January as if it were July. Similarly, manually programmed clock timers don’t adjust for recent weather events, so systems without sensor technologies will water regardless of whether it has just rained.

Studies suggest that soil moisture sensors can result in water savings of at least 20 percent, potentially saving millions of gallons of water across the country.

Soil moisture-based control technologies water plants based on their needs by measuring the amount of moisture in the soil and tailoring irrigation schedules accordingly. Studies suggest that soil moisture sensors can result in water savings of at least 20 percent, potentially saving millions of gallons of water across the country. Soil moisture-based control technologies that earn the WaterSense label will take the guesswork out of watering and help improve irrigation system efficiency.

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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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Golf courses in Western states face immediate challenges with escalating water costs, pinched water budgets and water quality concerns. In many cases, annual water budgets range from $250,000 to over $1 million. With chronic drought conditions along the Colorado River Basin forcing states to reduce water allocated from the river, golf courses feel the trickle-down effect through tightening water budgets. In response courses in California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico are using innovative strategies to reduce water use, while still providing premium playing surfaces for golfers to enjoy.

California course managers have employed various strategies to reduce their water use, but one of the biggest successes has been seen where courses are able to convert large playing areas from cool-season grasses to bermudagrass. Superintendents report that converting fairways to bermudagrass reduced annual water use 25% and allowed for firmer and faster playing conditions. With some of the highest water costs in the country, the return on investment for this strategy is often only six or seven years. Some pioneering courses in Southern California are also using in-ground soil moisture meters to assist with irrigation scheduling. Superintendents find they can apply less water or irrigate less frequently when they know exactly how much moisture is held in the rootzone.

In southern Nevada and southern Arizona, courses are reducing overseeded acreage and some have eliminated overseeding altogether. Superintendents are experimenting with new grasses such as ‘TifTuf’ bermudagrass and two experimental varieties soon to be released from the University of California, Riverside, turf program under the direction of Dr. Jim Baird. These grasses not only retain winter color better than the standard hybrid bermudagrass, but they also begin growing earlier in the spring and have improved traffic tolerance. Furthermore, these grasses perform well when irrigated with 20% less water than the standard ‘419’ bermudagrass used for decades. Superintendents are also evaluating zoysiagrass as a non-overseeded surface. Early indications are that zoysiagrass performs very well, providing a robust stand of turf with excellent traffic tolerance and a better dormant surface than bermudagrass.

In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Las Campanas Resort courses use subsurface drip irrigation to achieve substantial water savings. Drip lines running approximately 6 inches underground provide irrigation right to the turf rootzone with no evaporation or off-target watering. Not only has Las Campanas used this strategy on teeing grounds, they have also expanded it to include rough areas. The water savings have been remarkable – research shows 40% to 80% water savings compared to overhead irrigation.

These conservation strategies save water and provide a better playing experience for golfers – a win-win. However, making such upgrades across an entire golf course is expensive. Turf conversion costs can be approximately $30,000 per acre. Adopting in-ground soil moisture meters is much less expensive, with costs from $10,000-$20,000 to set up sensors across a golf course. However, experience with this technology is limited and it is too early to forecast potential water savings. The USGA, USDA and members of the Cactus and Pine Superintendents Association are working together to evaluate how irrigation scheduling and water use can be improved using data from in-ground soil sensors. Dr. Bernd Leinauer from New Mexico State University and Tom Egelhoff, director of agronomy for Las Campanas Resort, are also investigating this technology with support from the USGA.

I would also like to acknowledge those who made significant contributions to the soil moisture evaluation project, including Carmen Magro from Stevens Water, Josh Friel and John Dalman from Toro and Chris Thorup from Spiio.

West Region Agronomists:

Brian  Whitlark, senior consulting agronomist – bwhitlark@usga.org

Cory Isom, agronomist – cisom@usga.org

Information on the USGA’s Course Consulting Service

Contact the Green Section Staff

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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.

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Last year, Matt Morton moved to El Niguel, a private country club in south Orange County, CA. He came with plenty of experience, having been the superintendent at the prestigious Riviera Country Club for twenty years. He also came with a degree in Turfgrass Management from the University of Maryland, where he graduated in 2000. However, new territory still constitutes a learning curve. “It’s like starting from scratch,” says Morton. “You’re familiar with turf and how it responds. But on a new property, you’re re-teaching, re-learning, and re-evaluating the practices you’ve used for years.” Now, as the new superintendent at El Niguel, he’s taken this challenge head-on.

The Spiio Sensor’s Value in Measuring Soil Temperature and Other Indicators

One resource that has been helpful in riding this learning curve is the Spiio sensor. Morton installed four Spiios on the El Niguel course in August of 2020. “It’s been an additional tool to help you understand what’s happening below the greens,” Morton says. For instance, being able to consistently measure soil temperature helps drive several essential turfgrass decisions. “Getting a consistent baseline helps you make any agronomic decisions you need to.” 

Getting a consistent baseline helps you make any agronomic decisions you need to.” 

The soil temperature and other data has been helpful in Morton’s efforts to better know his new course. However, the value extends beyond that. “I haven’t changed a lot of my agronomic program, but the Spiio has validated my decision-making,” he notes. “The way I’ve touched and felt things for years is now being backed up by science and data.” This validation helps Morton and other turfgrass professionals have greater confidence in their decisions. It also aids in communication with other stakeholders. “I can use the sensor data to educate staff and board members,” he says. 

I can use the sensor data to educate staff and board members,” he says. 

Utilizing Multiple Sensors: Getting Both the Broad and Focused Views

Morton strategically spaced out the four sensors he started with. “We put them in different areas of the course to help identify different threats or indicators. For example, we put one sensor down in an area where salinity has been a problem. We put another down in a newer green, and another on a colder, more shaded area in the farthest corner of the course.” Moving forward into the 2021 season, he hopes to add more sensors to his program. “I’d like to expand into more areas to get a more comprehensive view of the different microclimates around the course.” The Spiio sensor’s portability and ease of install allows superintendents to put eyes on several areas of their course. This way, the data is more specific and accurate, able to drive smart decisions in irrigation, chemical application, and more.

The Spiio sensor’s portability and ease of install allows superintendents to put eyes on several areas of their course. This way, the data is more specific and accurate, able to drive smart decisions in irrigation, chemical application, and more.

Of course, that moisture and soil temperature data is only as good as the user’s ability to access it. “I think the user-friendly app has been what’s really put me over the top,” says Morton. The Spiio sensor records data continuously, and it reports those numbers frequently to a web interface and mobile app. The user has round-the-clock access to up-to-date information to see what’s happening on the turf at any given moment. They can also build a model for patterns their turf exhibits over time. This kind of technological innovation is always useful, but the unique challenges of the pandemic underscored its value. “Especially under the tough conditions of the last year, it made things a little easier,” Morton admits. Yet, as we recover from the challenges of the pandemic, the value of timely and user-friendly data only grows.

The Spiio sensor records data continuously, and it reports those numbers frequently to a web interface and mobile app. The user has round-the-clock access to up-to-date information to see what’s happening on the turf at any given moment

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