RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT YEARBOOK NATURRESURSER 2010 LAGAR KLIMATFÖRÄNDRINGAR RESTRIKTIONER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT YEARBOOK 2010. STERF. SCANDINAVIAN TURFGRASS AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT AND TURFGRASS SCANDINAVIAN STERF. 2010. YEARBOOK AND DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH 2 STERF INTRODUCTION. IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 2010 MULTIFUNCTIONAL GOLF FACILITIES AN UNDERUTILISED RESOURCE During 2010, the project ‘Nordic coope- roles to play in addition to providing ration between authorities and non- playing surfaces for golf. Considering governmental organisations for creating golf from an outsider’s perspective, golf multifunctional golf courses and healthy courses can provide a wide range of ser- ecosystems’ was carried out by STERF, vices that should be exploited, promoted with funding from the Nordic Council and developed. For example, golf cour- of Ministers. The main aim of the pro- ses can contribute to rural development, ject was to create networks and permit natural and cultural values and biologi- exchange of experiences between experts cal diversity and can provide recreation and groups in society with an interest in areas for active outdoor life. the land areas used by golf courses. A Through utilising shared Nordic exper- second aim was to produce a guide tise, we want to make the Nordic region book, which we hope will inspire multi- a leading example of multifunctional functional activities and which will be golf courses and of cooperation between published on the STERF website during different groups in society. This means March 2011. The final aim was to create that the Nordic region can become a a new R&D programme focusing on driving force for integrating sport and multifunctional golf facilities. the environment in an international The project showed that multifunctional context. golf courses are beneficial for society and for golf. Golf courses have a number of INTRODUCTION STERF 3 INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE FOR VELVET BENTGRASS (AGROSTIS CANINA) ON GOLF COURSE PUTTING GREENS Velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina) is a The speakers at the seminar came not native species in northern and central only from the Nordic countries, but also Europe. The qualities of velvet bentgrass from four North-American universities: have recently been documented in vari- Dr Jim Murphy from Rutgers ous research projects in North America University, Benjamin Pease from and Scandinavia. As the project University of Wisconsin, Dr. Michelle ‘Potential for velvet bentgrass on DaCosta from University of Scandinavian putting greens’ ended in Massachusetts, and Dr. Katerina Jordan 2010 (see separate report in this year- from University of Guelph, Canada. book), STERF and the Finnish Golf Keith Duff from R&A also participated Union arranged the international sym- at the seminar, informing about R&A posium ‘Best management practice for services for golf clubs. The total number velvet bentgrass (Agrostis canina) on golf of participants was 45, representing nine course putting greens’ at Hyvinkää, different countries. Finland on 16-18 June 2010. 4 STERF SCANDINAVIAN TURFGRASS AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION IMPORTANT EVENTS IN 2010 Golf’s RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME WITHIN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT In this new R&D programme, we aim that are important for integrated pest to describe the current situation and pre- management are coordinated and execu- sent the research, developments and ted and that new knowledge is delivered. communications required in order for There is a need for pure research projects Nordic golf to carry out the measures and also for demonstration trials under needed to achieve sustainable use of pes- different climate conditions in order to ticides according to EU Council gain a fundamental understanding of Directive 2009/128/EG, dated 21 the issues within integrated pest mana- October 2009. Sustainable use of pesti- gement. STERF will contribute to the cides can be achieved through e.g. decre- development of expertise within integra- asing the risks and consequences posed ted pest management through commu- by the use of pesticides for human health nicating new knowledge and tried and and the environment and through the tested experience. STERF in partnership development and introduction of inte- with consultants and good practitioners grated pest management. will take responsibility for ensuring that STERF, together with the Nordic golf a Nordic model for systematic docu- sector, universities and research institu- mentation of golf course maintenance is tions and authorities, will take responsi- developed. bility for ensuring that R&D activities SCANDINAVIAN TURFGRASS AND ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH FOUNDATION STERF 5 2ND EUROPEAN TURFGRASS SOCIETY reduce winter damage to grasses used for researchers should be prioritised by ciently STERF together with national CONFERENCE golf courses, recreational areas and pas- all organisations. golf organisations, has initiated and tures through better understanding of • STERF researchers should be invi- arranged seminars where new knowledge Five STERF projects were presented dehardening reactions and appropriate ted to speak at education and semi- and tried and tested experience are pre- and three STERF researchers partici- management in a wetter and less stable nar events arranged by greenkeepers’ sented and discussed. Examples of the- pated in the 2nd European Turfgrass winter climate. organisations. STERF has put matic areas for these seminars are winter Society conference in Angers in together a list of projects and spea- stress management, integrated pest April. The Nordic contribution to MEETING CONCERNING R&D kers who can be used in different management, management of Poa the conference was very well recei- COMMUNICATION AND THE ROLE OF THE education and seminar program- annua and multifunctional golf facili- ved. The conclusion was that STERF Greenkeepers’ ASSOCIATIONS mes. ties. The seminars to date have been held research activities are of a high inter- • STERF projects should be regularly in Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and national standard and STERF is STERF and the national Greenkeepers’ reported on in all greenkeeping Oslo, with more than 80 participants recognised as a leading international Associations are jointly responsible for magazines. representing Nordic golf facilities at each centre of expertise in sustainable golf an effective dialogue between researchers • Representatives of greenkeepers’ seminar. The ambition is to offer the course management. and practitioners so as to identify organisations should be involved seminars twice a year. research priorities in new fields and to early in the planning and running BETTER TURFGRASS SURVIVAL IN A ensure that new-found knowledge and of STERF projects. Every project CHANGING WINTER CLIMATE experience are transferred into practice. should have a consultative group of STERF has continued to establish a practitioners. Winter stress management is one of more continuous partnership with the • All organisations are responsible for STERF´s high priority thematic are- Nordic Greenkeepers’ Associations. The helping establish a network to sup- as. The new project ‘Better turfgrass 2010 meeting was held in Vienna on port the communication work. survival in a changing winter climate’ February 25 th. is a four-year project with 20% fun- The following strategies have been deci- DISSEMINATION OF NEW KNOWLEDGE ding from STERF and 80% from the ded for dissemination and implementa- Norwegian research council. The tion of results: In order to make ready-to-use research project will be carried out by • Meetings comprising cross-commu- results easily accessible to end-users and Bioforsk, Norway. The aim is to nication between greenkeepers and to implement new knowledge more effi- 6 STERF INTRODUCTION. ABOUT STERF STERF is a research foundation that sup- key organisations in the field of turfgrass Trygve S. Aamlid, Norwegian Institute of John Riiber, NGA ports existing and future R&D efforts management. Agricultural and Environmental Research Håkan Blusi, SGA and delivers ‘ready-to-use research results’ Application: STERF delivers ready-to-use Hans Beurling, Danish Greenkeeper that benefit the Nordic golf sector. results allowing excellent playing quality Association Course consultants and agronomists STERF was set up in 2006 by the golf through environmentally sound mana- Maria Strandberg, STERF Kim Sintorn, SGF, coordinator federations in Sweden, Denmark, gement. Ole-Martin Lilleby, NGF Norway, Finland, Iceland and the Nordic Resources: STERF receives funding ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS Allan Brandt, DGU Greenkeepers’ Associations. from participating golf associations, Maria Strandberg, STERF director (chair) Kristiina Laukkanen, FGU which can be complemented by funding Peter Landschoot, independent interna- Peter Edman, SGF VISION from other sources. STERF is an inde- tional expert STERF is the leading international cen- pendent research foundation even when Kim Sintorn, coordinator for golf course Researchers tre of expertise in sustainable golf course funding is provided by other sources. consultants/agronomists Nilla Nilsdotter-Linde, coordinator management. Martin Nielsen, coordinator for represen- Magnus Enell, Professor, University of STERF BOARD tatives of Scandinavian greenkeeper Lund PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES Bruno Hedlund, STERF, Chair associations Anne Mette Dahl Jensen, Senior advisor, Approach: Research financed by STERF Petri Peltoniemi, Finnish Golf Union Nilla Nilsdotter-Linde, coordinator