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What a blast!
2006 Golf Industry Show featured plenty for superintendents looking for the next great gadget.
Seth Jones
We saw a giant squirt gun blast water out of a bunker (Bunker Blaster). We saw someone ride by on a tricycle with a golf bag attached to it (Turf Trike). And we saw a whole slew of new divot repair tools. And this was all within a stone’s throw of the GCM booth.
The 2006 Golf Industry Show was a smorgasbord of new gadgets and gizmos. We did our best to jam as many products in this roundup as we could, but space wouldn’t allow for everything. If we missed it here, look for it in GCM’s “Product News,” this month and in later months.
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BunkerBlaster says it offers the solution to water-filled bunkers — a one-operator attachment for any self-propelled bunker rake that can effectively remove water from a bunker in a fraction of the time of other methods. The BunkerBlaster utilizes a bronze-impeller pump driven by a 13-hp Briggs & Stratton engine to send up to 300 gallons per minute through a swivel discharge nozzle. The unit can discharge water a distance of 70 feet, eliminating the need for portable pumps and hoses. According to the company, most bunkers can be pumped dry in three to four minutes. Contact BunkerBlaster, (www.bunkerblaster.com).
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Standard Golf Co. says its Magnum Harvester Ball Picker is the only gang picker that easily goes both forward and backward without tangling or damaging the gangs. Available in three-gang or five-gang pickers, the Magnum Harvester has swiveling gangs that reach under trees and sweep close to yardage markers. It is also “flat-tire enabled” so even if the picker’s front tire goes flat, the gangs keep on rolling, allowing users to continue working. Other features include its dual integrated gang technology, which picks up balls in both short and longer grasses, and its powder-coated finish for rust-free endurance. Contact Standard Golf Co., (www.standardgolf.com).
Jacobsen has announced the InCommand Control System — an upgrade to the handles and clutch system of the PGM 22 and GK 500-series walking greensmowers. The new D-handle improves operator comfort and makes the operator presence control easier to use. It also creates a common operating platform among walking greensmowers and introduces the InCommand variable speed control. The system allows the operator to increase or decrease the forward speed of the machine with minimal effect on the clip rate. In addition, a clutch design makes it more durable, more reliable and easier to maintain. Contact Jacobsen, (www.jacobsen.com).
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Segway Inc. introduced the Segway Golf Transporter (GT) Links package. An upgrade to the Segway GT that came out last summer, the Segway GT Links is a self-balancing personal transporter configured to give golfers a new way to travel the course. With extended-range batteries, a golf bag carrier and enhanced traction tires, the Segway GT gives people a unique golf experience. The new Links package includes all the features of the Segway GT plus a handlebar guard, scorecard holder and beverage cooler. Contact Segway Inc., (www.segway.com).
Bayer Environmental Science has received registration from the U.S. EPA for Tartan, a fungicide that provides long-lasting broad-spectrum disease control on golf course greens, tees and fairways. Bayer says Tartan controls both dollar spot and brown patch, as well as many other turf diseases, with a 21-day residual. Its active ingredients provide both contact and systemic action, offering effective preventative and curative control. In addition, it contains formulation technology called StressGard. StressGard positively affects plant physiology, helping the turf plant more effectively manage the stresses of golf course conditions, the company says. Diseases Controlled include dollar spot, leaf spot, summer patch, rust, strip smut, pink snow mold, brown patch, anthracnose, gray leaf spot, red thread, southern blight, fusarium patch and pink patch. Contact Bayer Environmental Science, (800) 331-2867.
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John Deere introduced a verticutter attachment for the Aercore 800 Aerator. The verticutter attachment may be fitted to any Aercore 800 machine equipped with the 25-hp Kohler Command Series engine. For golf courses that aerate and verticut as part of the same practice, the Aercore 800, equipped with the new attachment, allows for both aerating and verticutting operations to be performed simultaneously, increasing overall efficiency. The John Deere verticutter utilizes carbide-tipped blades and may be operated in any of the Aercore 800’s four operating gears. Featuring a precise, no-tool depth adjustment, the verticutter attachment allows easy operation at virtually any depth up to 1.75 inches. Contact John Deere, (www.johndeere.com).
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Redexim Charterhouse Inc. introduced two models of the Verti-Quake at the GIS, the 2516 and 2521. The Verti-Quake is a rotary aerator that decompacts the soil using a set of rotating steel blades. As these blades cut cleanly through the soil, they create a wave action that shatters compacted areas and opens up the subsoil. The Verti-Quake is available in five models and can work at depths up to 22 inches with little or no surface disruption. The Verti-Knife 2516 and 2521 both work to a depth of 10 inches, but now are available with a new direct-drive system, and individual shear bolts are no longer used on the blades. Contact Redexim Charterhouse, (800) 597-5664 (www.redexim.com).
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The Toro Co. introduced several new irrigation products. The Golf Decoder Control system is a cost-effective expandable network of buried controllers. Users choose either the SitePro Network system, which can operate up to 3,200 stations using Toro’s SitePro software, or a stand alone system providing a capacity of up to 200 stations. Each system is equipped with poly fuse circuit protection, a latching solenoid and advanced lightning protection. The company’s new SitePro Version 2.1 Central Control Software has been upgraded and is now compatible with the Network VP Satellite, which can operate up to 64 stations. Both new customers and existing Network 8000 customers can convert to Network VP using the new SitePro software. The DL2000 Series Subsurface Irrigation system distributes and conserves water, creating better course conditions. It delivers optimal amounts of water directly to a plant’s root zone through underground in-line tubing with regularly spaced, pressure-compensating emitters. It also features patented Rootguard technology, which guards against root growth that can clog emitters. Contact the Toro Co., (www.toro.com).
Sea Isle Supreme, a new and improved semidwarf seashore paspalum variety that requires low maintenance and irrigation, was unveiled by Ron Duncan, Ph.D., University of Georgia, at the trade show. According to Duncan, Sea Isle Supreme will be available early this summer, but with high demand, orders should be placed now to ensure prompt delivery once the grass is ready for shipment. Ideal for greens, fairways, tees and roughs, Sea Isle Supreme can be irrigated using alternative water sources, including salt water and waste water. Sea Isle Supreme is available through the following farms within the Sea Isle Supreme Growers Association: Diamond Turf, Phillip Jennings Turf, Pike Creek Turf, SMR Farms and South Florida Grassing. Contact the Sea Isle Supreme Growers Association, (877) 887-3626.
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Using wireless mesh networking technology, Turf Guard collects data from sensors strategically placed beneath greens, tee boxes and fairways. Information on a course’s salinity, moisture and temperature levels are sent continuously to a central control system and displayed on the Golf Vision secure user interface, which can be accessed from the superintendent’s office, home or anywhere on the Internet. Each wireless sensor installs in minutes and is placed according to the superintendent’s preferences. The sensors take measurements from the critical turf root zone and are completely undetectable to players. Contact Turf Guard, (888) 887-3482 (www.turfguard.net).
Cycling meets golf with the Turf Trike. A tricycle designed specifically for the golf course, it features a lightweight aluminum frame, 4 -inch oversized golf tires and a front golf bag/cargo holder that is removable. The Turf Trike is also available with an electric assist feature that allows it to be powered by an electric motor. Contact Turf Trike, (941) 915-2556 (www.turftrike.com).
From Profile Products, Field & Fairway Emerald is a green-colored, porous ceramic topdressing material for native soil applications. According to the company, it helps turf survive under intense traffic by adding porosity to the root zone, aiding in the prevention of soil compaction. Profile Field & Fairway Emerald will hold moisture, nutrients, provide a balance of air and water pore space, increase drainage and prevent muddy conditions that destroy turf. Greens Grade Emerald is a green-colored, porous ceramic topdressing material for sand-based greens, tees and sports fields. It is used to permanently modify root zones by delivering an ideal balance between air- and water-holding pore space. The company says that both grades feature a new rich emerald green color that helps disguise worn areas until new turf grows back. Contact Profile Products, (www.profileproducts.com).
Headway fungicide from Syngenta Professional Products uses the power of two active ingredients to deliver broad-spectrum disease control against dollar spot, brown patch and many other major turf diseases. Using dual modes of action helps ward off disease resistance and allows Headway to control a wider range of diseases. Headway is expressly formulated to balance each active ingredient for control and optimal efficacy. It has little or no odor, offers excellent tank-mix capability and stability with other products. Contact Syngenta, (866) 796-4368 (www.syngentaprofessionalproducts.com).
Using the E-Z-Go ST 4x4 base, the ST 4x4 Refresher features a custom-built snack/beverage unit by 19th Hole Marketing. The Refresher can handle 1,500 pounds. The 18-hp, 614-cc V-twin air-cooled Honda engine allows the Refresher to travel at a top speed of 25 mph. Contact E-Z-Go, (www.ezgo.com).
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Rain Bird Golf an-nounced the release of its underground hose reel to increase labor efficiency and improve hand-watering access. Rain Bird’s newest addition to its hose reel product line offers superintendents a retractable hose reel that can be buried on a golf course for convenient, targeted water applications near turf or ornamentals that need it most. The underground hose reel will help save money and preserve optimal course conditions by reducing hose wear and turf damage caused by dragging hoses, the company says. It is ideal for greens and is designed to help crew members respond faster during extreme conditions such as heat stress, dry conditions or hydraulic oil leaks, further protecting the greens. The underground hose reel is also aesthetically pleasing since it is less obtrusive than hoses left beside a fairway or near a green. Contact Rain Bird Golf, (800) RAINBIRD (www.rainbird.com).
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Dismiss herbicide from FMC Corp. can be used to control sedges. Dismiss, which recently received EPA registration, provides post-emergence control of yellow nutsedge, purple nutsedge, green kyllinga and broadleaf weeds. FMC says university research has shown Dismiss is well tolerated by 13 warm- and cool-season grasses. Contact FMC Corp., (www.fmc.com).
The Head Edger was created to remedy the difficulty in clearing grass from around sprinkler heads. A cutting unit that can be attached to the head of a string trimmer, the head edger is precision balanced to avoid bouncing when it is set down on top of a sprinkler head or yardage marker. It trims the grass as well as trenching the dirt, leaving a neat and manicured look around each sprinkler head. The head edger comes with replaceable blades and can be adjusted from 4 inches to 10 inches. Contact Head Edger Inc., (912) 964-8368 (www.headedger.com).
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Bernhard and Co. offers the Rotamaster 4000 with a new clamp mechanism and fast-aligning jig bars, which the company says makes blade mounting easier and faster than before. The Rotamaster ensures both ends of the blade are sharpened equally with the precision only an automated machine could make. Grinding occurs within an enclosed area on the Rotamaster, making for a safer workplace. Contact Bernhard and Co., (888) 474-6348.
Georgia-Pacific announced agreements with The Andersons and ProSource One to expand the availability of Nitamin Steady-Delivery fertilizer technology to the turf market. Nitamin coated sand manufacturer Fairmount Minerals added The Andersons as a partner in a national expansion of its distribution capabilities. In addition, Georgia-Pacific has entered into an agreement with ProSource One to add Nitamin as the exclusive nitrogen source in its ProForma premium line of fertilizer products. Nitamin fertilizer is a slowly available nitrogen source that ensures a steady supply of available nitrogen in the soil for an extended period. Contact Nitamin, (866) 2NITAMIN (www.nitamin.com).
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National Golf Graphics introduced a 5-gallon bottled water drinking system for golf courses. The system uses bottled water,which is installed with a sealed cap, eliminating concerns when water comes into direct contact with contaminants during installation or chilling. Ice is poured into a separate cooling section (approximately once every 48 hours). All components meet NSF Standards 61-99 for portable drinking water systems. Contact National Golf Graphics, (608) 222-9363.
Arysta LifeScience Corp. has received U.S. EPA approval of expanded label application timing and rates for its Arena insecticide to control white grubs and other major pests in turfgrass management on golf courses. Certain state registrations may be pending. Extensive trials in 2005 showed it to provide effective control of white grubs, chinch bugs, sod webworms and other pests. Contact (www.arystalifescience.com).
Becker Underwood Inc.has expanded its line of surfactant and adjuvant technologies with the debut of three professional turf management products. Capacity is a proprietary blend of soil active surfactants for use where intensive management requires a product with long-term residual wetting activity, such as golf course greens, tees and fairways. Affinity is a multifunction, nonionic soil wetting agent that may be applied year-round with the flexibility to be used in turf management. Impact is a nonionic spreader-sticker used to optimize the efficacy of agricultural herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, acaricides (miticides), plant growth regulators and defoliants. It improves the wetting, spreading and contact activity of pesticide applications, providing more uniform coverage without excessive run-off. Contact Becker Underwood, (www.beckerunderwood.com).
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LawnGrips has footwear with a patented Grip-N-Go outsole for traction in freshly cut grass. The protective steel toe keeps toes safe while the molded rubber overcoat keeps them dry. The upper is made of water-resistant, full-grain leather that resists grass stains. Contact LawnGrips, (877) 447-4771 (www.lawngrips.com).
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