AGH 245 - Golf Course & Sports Turf

1. Give examples of the different sports that may be played on natural grass surfaces.
   1. Name non-contact sports that may be played on natural grass surfaces.
   2. List contact sports that may be played on natural grass surfaces.
   3. State any additional sports that may be played on natural grass surfaces.
2. Analyze the types of soils or rooting medias that might be used for a sports surface
   1. Classify native soils present at a sports surface site.
   2. List the amendments that might be used to modify a native soil.
   3. Identify alternative “soil less” media mixes that might be used to replace a native soil.
   4. Discuss soil and water relationships in terms of porosity, permeability, and holding capacities.
   5. Explain soil and plant relationships in terms of rooting depth and available moisture.
3. Evaluate different grasses used in golf courses and sports arenas
   1. Name the different species of grasses that may be used to establish a playing surface.
   2. List the pros and cons of both rhizomatous and stoloniferous grasses.
   3. Identify the qualities of bunch type turf grasses for playing surface use.
   4. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of a mixture of either rhizomatous, stoloniferous, and bunch grass mixtures for playing surface use.
4. Choose the maintenance practices that should be used to maintain a playing surface
   1. Identify variations in mowing height in relation to rooting depth.
   2. Discuss irrigation requirements in relation to turf grass species, mowing height, and rooting media.
   3. Summarize fertilization practices favorable to desired playing surface appearance and the likely related need for pesticide applications.
   4. Explain the use of aeration practices in the maintenance of a favorable rooting environment.
5. Outline the pre-game practices that would be followed for the preparation of a field prior to play
   1. List the equipment and materials needed to paint or mark a filed prior to play.
   2. Identify variations in mowing heights in relation to turf grass species and level of play.
   3. Discuss irrigation timing in relation to the time of the content and anticipated surface quality.
   4. Describe the use of field covers in anticipation of undesirable weather events and subsequent field condition at playing time.
6. Outline the post-game practices that would be followed after play.
   1. List repair options that may be used based on the amount of damage to the playing surface following play.
   2. Identify maintenance practices that might be used to enhance repair options.
   3. Discuss the factors used to determine the need for playing surface replacement.
7. Examine seasonal workflow and scheduling patterns for athletic fields.
   1. Illustrate end of season practices used to reinvigorate turf playing surfaces for the following season.
   2. Create time tables to accomplish maintenance tasks.
   3. Discuss non-competitive pressures and their complications.
8. Compare and contrast the use of different products used to maintain field surfaces for athletic fields.
   1. Identify marking products, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, etc used in athletic field maintenance.
   2. List the advantages and disadvantages of various products.
   3. Distinguish turf plant responses to various products.
9. Differentiate between management of synthetic and natural turf
   1. Indentify differences in rooting medias.
   2. Determine differences in maintenance.
   3. Summarize advantages and disadvantages of natural and artificial turf.