Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Regulatory Considerations ........................................................................................................ 87 Pest Management Practices to Protect Pollinators .................................................................... 87 Maintenance Operations ............................................................................................................ 90 Regulatory Considerations ........................................................................................................ 90 Storage and Handling of Chemicals.......................................................................................... 91 Equipment Storage and Maintenance........................................................................................ 92 Equipment Washing .................................................................................................................. 93 Fueling Facilities ....................................................................................................................... 95 Waste Handling ......................................................................................................................... 95 Unintended Releases ................................................................................................................. 96 References .................................................................................................................................... 97 Bibliography .............................................................................................................................. 101 List of Tables Table 1. Recommended Annual N Rates for Maintenance of Golf Course Turf in Maryland..... 46 Table 2. Phosphorus Application Recommendations for Golf Course Turf................................. 49 Table 3. Potassium Application Recommendations for Golf Course Turf ................................... 49 Table 4. Recommended Minimum Golf Course Mowing Heights, by Area (in inches) .............. 53 Table 5. Recommended Mowing Heights for Roughs (in inches)................................................ 53 Table 6. Mowing Frequency Based on Various Mowing Heights................................................ 54 Table 7. Turfgrass Cultivation Methods and Rankings of Agronomic Benefits .......................... 58 List of Figures Figure 1. Wetland area incorporated into the golf course design. Photo credit: Joseph Roberts. .. 7 Figure 2. Native vegetation serves as an effective riparian buffer for wetlands. Photo credit: Joseph Roberts. ............................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 3. Riparian buffer at Cedar Point Golf Course located at the confluence of the Patuxent River and Chesapeake Bay. Photo credit: David Burkhart............................................................. 8 Figure 4. Drainage installation during the construction of a new tee. Photo credit: Thomas Turner.............................................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 5. Golf courses provide habitat for different species, such as tree swallows (top left) and great blue herons (top right) and turtles. Photo credit: Jon Lobenstine. ....................................... 10 Figure 6. Bluebird nest boxes at Falls Road Golf Course. Photo credit: Jon Lobenstine............. 11

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