John Reitman

3 days ago | turfnet.com | John Reitman

Golf courses are responsible for just 1.3 percent of water used in the U.S., according to the USGA Green Section. The game, however, receives a disproportionate amount of blame for how much is required to keep turf playable. The USGA has published a guide to help turf managers become better stewards of water with an eye trained on sustainability, as well as providing a valuable PR tool.

5 days ago | turfnet.com | John Reitman

Audubon International is losing a familiar face. Frank LaVardera (right) is retiring as director of Environmental Programs for Golf after 45 years with Audubon International. During LaVardera's tenure, Audubon's Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf grew to almost 900 private, public and resort golf courses around the world. According to the association web site, there are 865 golf courses worldwide enrolled in the Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

6 days ago | turfnet.com | John Reitman

Summer is off to a hot start, which could have major implications for golf course superintendents throughout the country. In this TurfNet University webinar sponsored by Lebanon Turf, Herb Stevens and Garrett Bastardi of T3 Golf will focus on nationwide weather patterns for the remainder of the summer. The presenters will discuss the various long-term weather predicting models they use and likely outcomes each presents and how it will affect the work of superintendents.

1 week ago | turfnet.com | John Reitman

Like a toxic concoction in a boiling cauldron, potential trouble is brewing in some parts of the country due to recent weather patterns. With summer heat on the horizon and much of the country experiencing abnormally wet spring conditions, the threat of anthracnose is very real. Caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum cereale, anthracnose is a stress-induced disease found on annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass putting greens.

1 week ago | turfnet.com | John Reitman

In this episode of Rising Stars of Turf, Pete Bachman, superintendent at Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, California, discusses how day-to-day operations at one of the country's most famous tracks do not differ much different than when the PGA Tour comes to town. He also talks about the challenges associated with motivating his team and keeping morale up at an operation where expectations and pressure to be the best are high every day and not just for the tour pros.