Long Island Experiment is a Golf Course Model

The Environmental Protection Agency is asking Long Island, NY golf courses to reduce fertilizer use by applying only on ?EUR??,,????'??fine grass?EUR??,,????'?? areas-on tees, fairways and greens. Shinnecock Hills Golf Course (photo) is one of at least 30 Long Island courses that have put the suggestion into practice.

At first it sounded like bad news for golf course managers. In 2003, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, asked Long Island, NY courses to voluntarily reduce their use of fertilizer. Golf course runoff was having an impact on fish, birds and other wildlife in Long Island estuaries-the tidal zones where fresh and salt water mix.

Superintendents at more than 30 area courses might have had turf-related jitters at first, but a year later the experiment has been declared a model for environmentally-responsible (and cost-cutting) golf course maintenance.

The program is known as the East End Nitrogen Management Challenge for Golf Courses.

?EUR??,,????'??In a lot of ways, the greens keepers are interested in being stingy with fertilizer,?EUR??,,????'?? Rick Balla of the EPA told the Los Angeles Times. ?EUR??,,????'??If they're putting too much on, they're having to cut the grass more often.?EUR??,,????'??

With fertilizer costs near an all-time high, superintendents have an economic incentive to use less too.

To reduce use, the EPA suggests that course managers apply fertilizer only to ?EUR??,,????'??fine grass' areas-tees, fairways and greens, and to use less on those areas so a greater percentage of the total gets absorbed into the grass.

Some managers found that using mulching mowers let crews mow in the late afternoon or early evening-giving grass clippings a chance to dry out before the next morning's play. That way, clippings can be reabsorbed by turf-yielding a free, renewable source of nitrogen.

Finally, there's another benefit that golfers themselves appreciate. There is a trend towards faster-playing greens and courses that meshes nicely with reduced fertilizer application.

?EUR??,,????'??Clippings are a problem,?EUR??,,????'?? Mike Rewinski of Westhampton Country Club told the Los Angeles Times. ?EUR??,,????'??When you mow in the morning they make a mess. So guys started using less nitrogen and applying it more frequently. This way you're avoiding growth surges. You can't have fast greens if you use a lot of nitrogen.?EUR??,,????'??