Since publishing the Best Management Practices for NYS Golf Courses document and this website, the NYS BMP committee has focused on outreach and education efforts to promote the acceptance and implementation of BMPs in New York State’s golf industry.
As part of these efforts, the committee surveyed the state’s golf course professionals to conduct a formative assessment of BMP concepts and a survey of BMPs as implemented on NYS golf courses. This survey was conducted in 2015 and early 2016 with a response window of four months. Once the survey period ended, the results were analyzed to determine educational and outreach priorities for our target audience of NYS superintendents and assistant superintendents. The following topics were identified to emphasize and prioritize:
- pesticide and fertilizer storage and handling
- pesticide and fertilizer application
- regulations such as the P-law
- key elements of a progressive golf turf IPM program
- equipment washing areas
- optimizing irrigation systems
- soil nutrient test interpretation