HGCSA Blog – Page 2 – Hawaii Golf Course Superintendents Association

Searching for the IDEAL Bunker Sand – Nate Lopez

Historically bunker sand for Hawaii Golf Courses have been varied and somewhat inconsistent

The most consistent source of local sand is Coral Sand (Calcareous). Maui Dunes Sand, although its long term availability, remains in question at this time; tends to work well in environments where this sand is abundant on the golf property. Courses like Maui Lani, Pukalani, Maui Country Club and Wailua Blue are primary examples. Inland Beach sand (Mokuleia) from the North Shore of Oahu, when available, is our third and generally, least available local sand for bunkers.

Conditions — Limitations and Characteristics of these three local sands

Hawaii has few native sources for bunker sand. Each of the three sand noted are classified as Calcium Carbonate or Calcareous sand. They are what remain of the original organic organism that once flourished as coral reefs around our islands. Each material, as a bunker sand have one similar characteristic, over time and combined with moisture and pressure they will compact and harden!

Most abundant is ‘Coral Sand or Greenside Bunker Sand’ currently sourced from the leeward side of Oahu this quarry was once the primary source for Lime Sand used in the manufacture of Cement (powder). This quarried coral rock is crushed into finer aggregate sizing and into sand for making concrete or for golf bunker’s. Because of its characteristic calcium content “Very High”, this sand tends to compact and harden to a solid surface within several weeks to a few months; example, the beach area, surrounding the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. The maintenance required to achieve acceptable playability with aged in-place coral sand is extremely labor and equipment intensive.

Second most available is Maui Dunes Sand presently available on Maui and exported to Oahu for making concrete. This once highly abundant local calcareous sand has, over time, become a finer particle size and increasingly difficult to source away from Maui. Like Coral Sand, Maui Dunes Sand will compact and harden but, under the right conditions, it will take a few years. This characteristic difference is related to its “High” calcium content. If this sand can be placed at depths of 20-30 inches it will drain and remain playable for several seasons. However, sizing of the current supply is very fine, with 80% of its particle size retained on or passing #60 sieve (0.250mm).

The least available is, Oahu’s ‘Inland Beach Sand’; better known as Mokuleia Sand it historically is the most popular sand for bunkers. Like the other local sands sources Inland Beach Sand was once our coral reef system on the North Shore of Oahu. But unlike our other two sources this sand is the most stable of the Calcium Carbonate sands. It contains the “Lowest” amount of Calcium and as a bunker sand will remain playable, un-compacted for many seasons. Our best example of its long working life is the recent bunker renovation at the Waialae Country Club. The sand removed after nearly twelve years was Mokuleia Sand and when removed much of the sand was reused in other off course applications. But, like all Calcareous Sand over time, moisture and pressure the Mokuleia sand will compact as well.

Insure the Quality of Your Local Sand

Regardless the use, of your preferred calcium carbonate/calcareous sand it is most imperative the sand you source is a Washed product. Insuring unwanted fines, organics and organisms do not enter your golf course environment.

Silica Sand

Can there be one ideal bunker sand for the Hawaii golf market? Since 1972 Hawaiian Cement has been importing silica sand from all over the South Pacific initially used in the manufacturing of Cement over the past 20 years we have continued to import silica sand for golf specific applications. In our search for the Ideal bunker sand we pay close attention to the silica content of our sourced sands, as well as, its gradation, angularity and crusting characteristics. Silica sand at 97 % or greater silica content is highly stable and makes a high quality top dressing material and has shown to be above average performance as bunker sand with a typical penetrometer value 2.3-2.4 for G-3 & New Castle Blend.

The Ideal Bunker Sand Blend?

We believe we have found a better sand alternative for bunkers and possibly the Ideal bunker sand for most golf courses.

Over the past several months we have been working with the Head Professional & Superintendent at Olomana Golf Links on Oahu. Olomana has traditionally placed coral sand (Natural Beach Inland sand or Greenside Bunker Sand) into their bunkers. Over time the sand compacts and become unplayable for traditional bunker shots. Like most courses in this economy bunker maintenance is a lower priority on the daily jobs list; in this case they only get hand racked. Last November, on our recommendation, they agreed to experiment with blending the Hawaiian Sandman G-3 Silica into one of their more problematic bunkers.

They added approximately 1-2 tons of G-3 silica sand into a green side bunker on hole #9 and using a tiller blended the new sand about 4 inches deep into the bunker. Two days later a rain event filled all bunkers on the course with standing water, except this newly blended bunker. Ganin Asao, Head Golf Professional stated “it’s the only bunker on the golf course that drained; it’s never done that before”. Since that time Olomana has continued adding G-3 Silica to other bunkers. Now in late July the original bunker is still quite playable with no change in maintenance protocol.

The Ideal bunker sand would produce a penetrometer value of 2.5 or greater. We believe the approach taken by Olomana is a model for courses that currently have Coral Sand Bunkers. This custom blending approach is a cost effective alternative that will prolong the working life of your bunker during this difficult business climate.

The Makena Resort Beach & Golf Club recent analysis of our Native Sand (Calcium Carbonate) and G-3 silica blend reported a bunker penetrometer of 2.6 by one certified golf testing company and 3.3 by another. This bunker blend is two parts silica sand and one part Native Sand to color match native areas on their property.

We believe blending silica with, in-place, calcareous sand can create the Ideal bunker sand for your environment. Olomana estimates their custom blend may be 50/50% with silica sand but your requirement may be different.

Mixing silica sand into your calcareous bunker sand will give you a stable non sticking sand particle that will not compact and will dramatically reduce the compaction characteristic common in calcareous sands. Benefits include improved drainage of your existing bunker complex, reduced maintenance and labor hours on bunkers and reduced cost to upgrade your aging bunkers and improve the possibility of maintaining the color of your existing bunker treatment.

There may not be one bunker sand that is Ideal for all Hawaii’s courses, but this blend in-place approach may result in the Ideal bunker sand for your property.

Features of a Custom Blend bunker Sand:

Control firmness of your bunker face and fairway bunkers
Penetrometer; create the ideal value for your clientele
Customize your bunker blend for your climate
Control crusting characteristic
Make maintenance easier

Benefits of a customer Blend Bunkers Sand:

Greater Player, Member, guest enjoyment
Prolong working life of your existing bunker complex
Improved aesthetics of bunker complex
Cost effective approach to improve bunker condition
Lower labor cost to maintain bunkers
Bunker play lessons for teaching staff

For more information about a customer sand blend for your bunkers contact Nate Lopez at Hawaiian Sandman 808.673.4213 or [email protected]

2021 – Rounds 4 Research

Dear Hawaii GCSA Members,

I hope this finds you all doing well and preparing for what promises to be another busy year throughout the islands.

I am reaching out to you today on behalf of the Hawaii GCSA Board of Directors concerning the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) Rounds 4 Research program. Rounds 4 Research was started in 2012 to address funding shortages in the areas of turfgrass research, education and advocacy. To date, the auction has raised more than $782,000 nationally.

The premise of the program is simple: Golf facilities can support the effort by donating rounds of golf for two or four or “stay and play” packages and other items that will be auctioned online through a nationwide auction from April 26 – May 2.

The proceeds from the online auction are designated by the participating facilities to their local GCSA chapter (in this case, Hawaii). 80 percent goes to the chapter with the remaining 20 percent going to EIFG to assist with marketing and technical costs of running the national auction. The auction is conducted through the bidding platform biddingforgood.com. Donated items can be viewed at https://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/auctionhome.action?vhost=eifg.

The Hawaii GCSA can then decide how to best spend the funds in the areas of research, education or advocacy efforts.

I’m asking all of you today to consider donating a twosome or foursome from your facility to the auction. In times of declining membership, participation and sponsorship, these additional funds can be critical to our chapter to continue providing the member services you have become accustomed to.

The donation process can be completed online and takes approximately 10 minutes. Please visit http://www.eifg.org/research/rounds-4-research/donate-a-round/online-form and complete the form.

The participating facility has the ability to restrict rounds to certain days and times as well as the option of setting your opening bid. You can send in your own certificate for the donation or the EIFG will create a certificate for you.

If you have any questions concerning Rounds 4 Research, please don’t hesitate to contact me and I appreciate your time and consideration. You will be assisting your local chapter as well as raising funds for the future of the game.

Sincerely,

Russ Dooge, CGCS
Executive Director
Hawaii GCSA

2021 University of Hawaii Turfgrass and Landscape Pest Management Webinar Series

Webinar series is free of charge, brought to you by UH Manoa Turfgrass and Landscape Pest Management Program, and CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service.

Download the Flyer

4:00 – 5:00 pm on Tuesdays in April 2021

Live on Zoom: Webinar Zoom link will be provided to registered participants.

Certified Educational Units

1.0 HDOA Pesticide CEU for categories: Private 1 and Commercial 1a, 2, 3, 6, 9 &10.
1.0 LICT CEU.
0.10 GCSAA points (0.10 each for April 06 and April 13 webinars).
1.0 ISA CEU (1.0 each for April 20 and April 27 webinars).
* CEUs pending confirmation from HDOA, LICH, GCSAA, and ISA.

April 06, 2021	Management of several important turfgrass and golf course pests in Hawaii: take-all patch, mini ring, frit fly, and rover ant. Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa. Registration link (by April 02, 2021): https://forms.gle/S3Q1wVTFxk6LTtbMAA
April 13, 2021	Grassy weed control at West Loch golf course, case history with 200 gallon sprayer with 20ft. boom. Dr. Joseph DeFrank, UH Manoa (retired). Registration link (by April 07, 2021): https://forms.gle/CdHEnDEbbDgYXtHn9
April 20, 2021	Management of several important landscape pests in Hawaii: lobate lac scale, Ficus stem and leaf gall wasps, and hala scale. Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa. Registration link (by April 14, 2021): https://forms.gle/2AYnJeVjv9QHTtSV6
April 27, 2021	Research update on chemical and biological control of coconut rhinoceros beetle in Hawaii. Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa. Registration link (by April 21, 2021): https://forms.gle/VdWA3WRnchr1Ya6L6

Organized and hosted by:
Zhiqiang Cheng, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Extension Specialist
Dept. of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, CTAHR, UH Manoa

Questions or for additional info, please contact: Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng ([email protected])

Message from Executive Director – Upcoming Webinar

Below is a notification from LICH about an upcoming webinar.

I would like to give a shout out to a few superintendents that had hosted events in the last few weeks. Andrew Rebman at Kapalua, Dave Nakama at Waialae and Dan Husek at Hualalai along with their staff did a great job in getting their courses in shape.

At the end of last year the Carolinas put on Webinar classes and a few of you participated in the classes, thank you for participating.

Last don’t forget that our annual Golf & Seminar is this October on Oahu, hopefully it will be safe by then.

Russ
Russell Dooge, CGCS
37 Puahau Pl.
Wailuku, HI, 96793
(808) 344-3213

From: Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii
Subject: LICH Hawaiiscape Webinar Series
Date: January 22, 2021 at 4:59:12 PM HST
To:
Reply-To: Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii

Please join LICH for our bimonthly webinar series — register by using the link below!
February 16, 2021, 3 PM-5 PM
1 RUP CEU’s, 1 LICT CEU, and 1 ISA CEU available

Dr James Downer will expand on his research and experience in mulching practices and how they are applicable to landscape and arborist industry practices.
Michelle Montgomery will be discussing efforts to find new products for little fire ant in the state.

To register for the webinar:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/janfeb-2021-hawaiiscape-webinar-series-tickets-136350364611 Follow up emails will be sent with the link to the webinar and the available certification credits.

Download the Flyer

Conference Comes to You

Hawaii GCSA Members,

We are excited to provide you with world class education this year as we partner with the Carolinas GCSA.

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to register for seminars.

Seminars begin November 2^nd and run through December 18^th from 1-3 pm EST. No classes the week of Thanksgiving.

This is an ONLINE ONLY registration process.ONLY CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

Go to www.conferencecomestoyou.org. Registration opens 9/25/20 at 10 AM EST.
Once you select a seminar, click “TAKE THIS SEMINAR”. This will take you to the cart. If you choose to take more than one seminar, click on the blue bar “BACK TO CALENDAR”.
Once you have chosen all your seminars, click “Proceed to Check-Out”.
Enter HI2020 in the discount/partner chapter code to get your member discount. Without this code classes WILL NOT discount to $40.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that you enter Hawaii GCSA under the Chapter Membership dropdown.
Add your PESTICIDE LICENSE if applicable. There is room for up to 3 license numbers.
Add your credit card information and click “PLACE ORDER”.
You will receive 2 emails with a confirmation with your username and a receipt. You may log back in with your username or email with the password you created. If you forget your password, you may reset.
You will receive reminder emails that may include important materials from your instructor in advance of your seminar.
On the day of your seminar, log into your seminar (from your account or reminder email) from a computer/laptop/mobile device that has a webcam.

Your member discount code is: HI2020

Letter from HGCSA President, Scott Main, on COVID-19

Aloha Members,

I hope this letter finds each of you healthy and in good spirits during this difficult time, an unprecedented time in our lives that has left many of us scratching our heads wondering what will come next. The current shutdowns and quarantines have caused us to change policy and procedures daily, but this is generally what we do in our business. Take a deep breath, reflect, and now is the time for us to make the best decisions we can with what information is available.

The HGCSA board has been busy over the last few days reaching out to mayors on each island regarding how to proceed with golf maintenance, given many clubs have made the decision to close. First, I would like to make sure you are communicating with your owner, stakeholders, members, or general manager regarding the best practice for your property and staff. Secondly, the response we have received from the mayors’ offices is that golf maintenance is a critical trade that can continue. They ask that we continue to follow the CDC guidelines on social distancing, limiting numbers, and continual hygiene. We need to maintain our product with limited contact and hours. I have personally talked with many of you and there are many great plans in place. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call your neighbors to compare plans and strategies.

Since the economy is slowly grinding to a halt and revenues are at an all-time low, the HGCSA Board has voted to waive dues for the 2020 year. Along with waiving dues we have voted to postpone the annual golf and seminar in Oahu scheduled for August. The timeline is unknown as to how long the COVID-19 virus will require our day-to-day operations, travel, and gatherings to be delayed. We will regroup once things have settled to plan a meeting and golf for the spring of 2021.

This is a great time for everyone to download the mobile app (Android, Iphone) that Russ has set up for members called Wild Apricot. The app will allow each member to update their profile: Company, Title, email, and address information. You will need to set up a log-in and password and then reply to an email. If you know of any member who is not getting our emails, please share the app.

Scott Main
President HGCsA

“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”– Malcolm X

HGCSA Best Management Practices (BMPs) Handbook Released

The Hawai’i Golf Course Superintendents Association (HGCSA) has released a handbook of Hawai’i Golf Maintenance Best Management Practices (BMPs). The handbook promotes environmental stewardship, golf course playability, and overall health of the Hawai’i golf and tourism industries.

The HGCSA represents 125 members within the state. Our ‘ohana includes superintendents, agronomists, assistant superintendents, mechanics, greenskeepers, and industry suppliers. We believe it is our kuleana (responsibility) to our land and communities to operate using sustainable methods of natural resource management. This handbook provides guidance for all areas of golf maintenance for golf courses of all sizes, with BMPs specific to our state. Our goal is to promote environmental stewardship, community engagement, and the overall health of the Hawai’i golf and tourism industries.

“We’re proud to release the handbook, the HGCSA encourages its 125 members to perform at the highest standards with ongoing care and respect for the environment,” said Nanea Golf Club superintendent, HGCSA president, and BMP steering committee co-chair Scott Main. “It’s important for collaboration within our communities.”

Please CLICK for complete information and links to view and/or download the handbook.

Click to view the complete press announcement of the release of this important document.

Photos for Best Management Practices Handbook

Aloha members.

We are excited to announce the near completion of the BMP Handbook for Hawaii golf courses. The committee is now reaching out to each of you to supply pictures from your golf course, employee outings, and anything you think would add to the document. Attach the file, add a description, the course name, peoples names if in photo, and credit the person that took the photo. Please see the list of photos still needed below and forward on to [email protected] These photos will be part of the handbook so high resolution photos, Iphone works, would be great to include in this publication.

Mahalo,

Scott Main

2019 Rounds 4 Research

Dear Hawaii GCSA Members,

I hope this finds you all doing well and preparing for what promises to be another busy year throughout the islands.

I am reaching out to you on behalf of the Hawaii GCSA Board of Directors concerning the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) Rounds 4 Research program. Rounds 4 Research was started in 2012 to address funding shortages in the areas of turfgrass research, education and advocacy. To date, the auction has raised more than $782,000 nationally.

The Hawaii GCSA can then decide how to best spend the funds in the areas of research, education or advocacy efforts.

The donation process can be completed online and takes approximately 10 minutes. Please visit http://www.eifg.org/research/rounds-4-research/donate-a-round/online-form and complete the form.
The participating facility has the ability to restrict rounds to certain days and times as well as the option of setting your opening bid. You can send in your own certificate for the donation or the EIFG will create a certificate for you.

Sincerely,

Russ Dooge, CGCS
Executive Director
Hawaii GCSA