We've all seen signs posted from time to time warning us of chemicals being applied to the golf course. This gives many golfers an uneasy feeling and may cause them to question their safety.Thanksfully, Bob Kingsbury, the Head Superintendent at Harwichport Golf Club, was more than happy to help clear up some of the misconceptions regarding chemical application.1. What kind of chemicals are you spraying?Golf courses spray many different products, such as fertilizers, growth regulators, herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, soil supplements, wetting agents and even plant hormones.2. Is it safe?In order to apply pesticides in the state of Massachusetts, an individual must be licensed with the Department of Agricultural Resources. Obtaining and maintaining this license requires a substantial amount of training and continuing education, which along with product labels and material safety data sheets, allow us to realize the toxicity risk levels to humans of any given product. I personally try to use low level toxicity products.3. If it's safe, why are you wearing protective clothing?Applicators wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, rubber boots and long rubber gloves in an attempt to further reduce their risk of exposure. Applicators are at a higher risk level at times of tank mixing due to the concentrated forms of pesticides. In addition, human error should always be considered a factor.4. How often do you have to apply them?Too many variables are involved for a simple answer to this question. Environmental factors such as air temperatures, time of year, humidity levels, and the life cycle of the targeted pest all factor into timing and frequency of applications. All professional turf managers and golf course superintendents, that I know, practice some form of I.P.A. (Integrated Pest Management), which reduces the amounts of pesticides we use. Golf Capewide would once again like to thank Mr. Kingsbury for sharing his expertise with us. Hopefully this will help the average golfer understand just how much these chemical applications contribute to both the beauty and playability of our golf courses. GCW.
