From a NYSIPM program news release by Mary Woodson.
For their involvement in nearly a decade of research to develop, test, and fine-tune techniques that steeply cut pesticide and fertilizer use, staff members at Bethpage State Park have earned an Excellence in IPM award from the New York State Integrated Pest Management (NYS IPM) Program at Cornell University. Dave Catalano, Andy Wilson, Craig Currier and Kathie Wegman will accept the award at the Cornell Turfgrass Program Field Day at Bethpage August 12.
Home of the 2009 U.S. Open, Bethpage comprises five separate golf courses on its 1,500 acres in the heart of densely populated Long Island, just 25 miles east of the New York City line. The Bethpage project has cut environmental impact up to 96 percent over conventional practices.
“Surveys consistently show high golfer satisfaction with IPM-managed greens at Bethpage,” says Frank Rossi (pictured), professor and turf specialist at Cornell University. “This has been a monumental project, both in scope and impact.”
“We can’t emphasize enough how important long-term, real-world research is,” says Jennifer Grant, assistant director of NYS IPM, who coordinates turf IPM research. “You don’t get truly useful results until you’ve tested your work over time, keeping what works and incorporating promising new practices and products.”