Divot Mix

"Broadly speaking, the only thing which should be allowed to interfere with the Greenkeeper is the weather." -- H.N. Wethered and Y. Simpson, "The Architectural Side of Golf," 1929

OSU-led team gets nematode research grant

The National Institutes of Health and the USDA have awarded a $1.8 million grant for sequencing the genome of insect-parasitic nematodes. Leading the multi-institutional project is Parwinder Grewal, an entomologist with Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center in Wooster.

The three-year project will sequence and interpret the genome of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, one of the most effective insect-parasitic nematodes known. The goal is to access genetic tools that would "revolutionize" biological control by boosting the effectiveness of nematodes as insect killers, increasing the types of target pests and the environments where they could be applied, and making them cheap enough so they can be cost-effective.

"Insect-parasitic nematodes have been used very successfully in the past two decades as environmentally benign alternatives to chemical insecticides," said Grewal, renowned nematologist and lead editor of "Nematodes as Biocontrol Agents." For example, nematodes are the only control available for black vine weevil and cranberry girdler in North American cranberry bogs and are the most effective killers of white grubs in turfgrass.

"Lots of research has been conducted to make nematodes commercially available, but there are limitations that have kept them from going mainstream in the insecticide market," Grewal said.

As living organisms, nematodes have a short shelf life compared to synthetic pesticides. They are also sensitive to light, run the risk of drying up and must be kept in refrigerated conditions during shipping and storage. These limitations prevent their use for other than soil-dwelling insects and make them expensive, especially for large operations.

This genetics research project will open the door to functional genomics according to Grewal. "We'll know the genes and their functions, which will allow us to identify nematodes with desired traits in the field. It will also enable us to switch genes on and off to improve certain characteristics that are important in biological control.

It could turn insect-parasitic nematodes, currently a $10 million industry worldwide, into a billion-dollar business, he said. More importantly, increased use of these biocontrol agents would help reduce the environmental and human-health risks of chemical insecticides.

Beyond controlling insects NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute - which funded the project - sees tremendous scientific value in sequencing the genome of H. bacteriophora, as detailed knowledge about this organism could provide fresh insights into different areas of biological research.

The insect-parasitic nematode also represents a bridge between the well-studied free-living nematodes, such as the Caenorhabditis elegans, or the harder-to-work-with parasitic nematodes, which cause disease in plants, animals and humans.

Other institutions involved in this project include Washington University's Genome Sequencing Center in St. Louis; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey; Michigan State University; and the California Institute of Technology.

GCSAA increases Golf Channel package

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America has increased its media purchase with The Golf Channel.

The commercials that will air during the weeks of high profile and major golf events, largely during prime time viewing hours include testimonial spots from Arnold Palmer and Greg Norman, and a new 30-second spot that highlights GCSAA's 80 th anniversary and GCSAA member commitment to environmental stewardship. (Visit http://www.gcsaa.org/news/campaign.asp to view the commercials).

The Golf Channel's “Live From” programming will continue to feature GCSAA members in interviews live from tournament locations.

Interviews are currently scheduled at the following tournaments:

• The Players Championship, March 23-26
• The Masters, April 6-9
• The Zurich Classic, April 27-30
• The Memorial, June 1-4
• The U.S. Open, June 15-18
• The U.S. Women's Open, June 29 – July 2
• U.S. Senior Open, July 6-9
• The Ford Seniors Championship, July 13-16
• The PGA Championship, Aug. 17-20

In addition, two feature segments from the Golf Industry Show were broadcast the week following the event in Atlanta.

The Golf Channel is Rated the number one “influencer” among all cable channels by Advertising Age magazine, it can now be found in 70 million homes. It will become the home of several PGA Tour events in 2007.

GCSAA and its members will be the subject of a 30-minute feature on “What's in the Bag” hosted by Adam Barr again in 2006. The episode will focus on the golf course and the playing of the game from the GCSAA superintendent perspective. It will be replayed several times during the summer.

Last year, the program spent a day with Jon Jennings, CGCS at Chicago Golf Club as he prepared for the USGA's Walker Cup matches. It also included interviews of other superintendents about their work and the profession.

Other elements of the package include 60-second course set up features for all LPGA and Canadian Tour events, plus the airing of the GCSAA logo after various programs.

“The feedback from our presence on the Golf Channel has been positive, not only from GCSAA members, but from the industry and viewers as well,” said Steve Mona, GCSAA CEO. “Golf is a visual sport and television offers a great medium to showcase GCSAA members.”

PGA to offer Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month

PGA Free Fitting & Trade-Up Month is a nationwide promotion throughout April presented by the PGA of America in partnership with the PGA Trade-In Network, and the PGA.com Value Guide. The program is designed to grow and stimulate participation in the game of golf under Play Golf America.

It will offer golfers of all skill levels the opportunity to experience a free 15-minute fitting session with a PGA professional to ensure the equipment they currently own, or the new equipment they plan to purchase, is the right fit for the golfer and their game.

Participating professionals are also part of the PGA Trade-In Network authorized trade-in facilities, allowing golfers to trade-up to new, custom-fit golf clubs more affordably by accepting their used golf club trade-ins at fair market values based on the PGA.com Value Guide, The National Standard for Golf Club Values.

When golfers come in for their session they'll be entered in the Ultimate Fitting Sweepstakes where 10 winners will receive a dream fitting experience at the PGA Learning Center in Port St. Lucie, Fla. or other locations throughout the country.

To find a participating professional, visit Play Golf America.com and enter a zip code in the search box, click "Free Fitting & Trade-Up," then click Search.

For fair market value for trade-in clubs visit the PGA.com Value Guide.