Singapore: As all golfers know, you ‘drive for show and putt for dough’. That’s why the importance of greens conditioning can never be over-stated or under-estimated.

Appropriately, therefore, the topic of putting surfaces will be to the fore in the second instalment of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) latest Sustainability Series of webinars on Thursday, September 17 (10 am Singapore time).

Organic Matter Management on the Putting Surface is the subject that will be tackled by Dr Roch Gaussoin, PhD, Professor and Extension Co-ordinator, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Sponsored by Atlas Turf International, Syngenta and The Toro Company, the webinar will include time for discussion and questions from participants.

Dr Gaussoin said: “Successful organic matter (OM) management on golf greens is a critical, daunting, and sometimes controversial task. Confusion concerning optimal and, more importantly, supra-optimal OM levels that compromise green quality, including playability and agronomics are reported, yet contradictory.

“This presentation will discuss more than a dozen years of research on Creeping Bentgrass and provides a conclusive and simple solution to organic matter accumulation and management.”

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This webinar is suitable for turfgrass managers in all facilities upon the maintenance of their most important asset, the putting surface.

“Given the critical nature of this topic, we’re honoured to have a presenter of the calibre and renown of Dr Gaussoin, who has conducted academic research and served as a turfgrass extension specialist for more than 25 years. During that time, he’s published 96 scientific papers, seven book chapters, more than 150 trade journal articles and is a co-inventor on four plant patents.”

Dr Gaussoin, who received his BS and MS in Agronomy from New Mexico State University and PhD in Crop and Soil Sciences from Michigan State University, has concentrated his studies on weed science and engineered soils.

A frequent invited speaker at conferences nationally and internationally, Dr Gaussoin has received a host of accolades, including the Outstanding Young Scientist Award from the University of Nebraska; Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Turfgrass Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Col. John Morley Distinguished Service Award.

The AGIF Sustainability Series teed-off last week with a presentation from Dr Larry Ross, Professor Emeritus, The Barnett School of Business & Free Enterprise, Florida Southern College, entitled Food Service Health and Safety Protocols During the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Two other webinars in the AGIF Sustainable Series have been confirmed.

On September 24, the topic for Michael Braidwood, General Manager at Qatar’s Education City Golf Club, a Facility Member of the AGIF, is What Gets Measured Gets Done. This session is sponsored by Jonas Club Software.

Concluding the first batch of AGIF webinars on Thatch/Biomass Management Techniques for Greens will be Roger Goettsch, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Operations at California’s Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club. This session is sponsored by Syngenta and The Toro Company.

Lynge said: “Targeted at both turf and club management professionals, all out webinars feature respected speakers and presenters from around the world, all of whom are experts in their chosen fields.

“In addition to the exchange of information, education/association credits can be gained in Club Management Association of America (CMAA), Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), PGA of America, PGA of Great Britain and Ireland and PGA of Australia. Attendance will be tracked and a certificate of attendance will be issued, pending attendance for a minimum of one hour on the webinar.”

For further details and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Gwen Ng, the AGIF’s Event and Membership Manager, at gwen.ng@agif.asia  

Schedule of Events

Turf Management Series  
September 17 (Thursday): 10 am to 11:30 am (Singapore time)
Topic: Organic Matter Management on the Putting Surface
Presenter: Roch Gaussoin, PhD, Professor & Extension Co-ordinator, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln  
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7kn-kgoeTuqEG4NMRpmfIQ

Club Management Series 
September 24 (Thursday): 4 pm to 5:30 pm (Singapore time)
Topic: What Gets Measured Gets Done
Presenter: Michael Braidwood, General Manager, Education City Golf Club, Qatar  
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Y_8zZ3_AQfuXx9aTdcUfNg

Turf Management Series  
October 1 (Thursday): 10 am to 11:30 am (Singapore time)
Topic: Thatch/Biomass Management Techniques for Greens
Presenter: Roger Goettsch, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Operations, Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club, California, US
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mUgApuJ2SuGfybuPYuCChA