Singapore: The spotlight will return to conditioning of golf course putting surfaces when the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) Sustainability Series of webinars continues next week.

Concluding the first four-part series of presentations will be Roger Goettsch, CGCS, Director of Golf Course Operations at California’s Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club.

Entitled Thatch/Biomass Management Techniques for Greens, the session will take place on Thursday, October 1 (from 10 am – 11:30 am, Singapore time).

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

Eric Lynge, the AGIF’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Golf course conditions in general and the speed and presentation of greens in particular have repeatedly topped the list of factors that golfers take into consideration when choosing where to play.

“Roger’s presentation will confirm those findings and discuss specific techniques that turfgrass managers can consider incorporating into the maintenance of putting surfaces at their respective clubs.”

Goettsch, who majored in Turfgrass Management at Iowa State University, is a well-known figure on the golf scene across Asia.

As well as spending five years as superintendent at China’s Shanqin Bay Golf Club, Goettsch has worked in Thailand, Indonesia, and India as a construction superintendent.

At Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club, in the heart of Orange County, Goettsch is responsible for overseeing two Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed courses.

The AGIF Sustainability Series teed-off three weeks ago 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.

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

Last week, Michael Braidwood, General Manager at Qatar’s Education City Golf Club, a Facility Member of the AGIF, made a presentation on What Gets Measured Gets Done.

Lynge said: “Targeted at both turf and club management professionals, all our webinars have featured 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  

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