STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 1. Demonstrate an understanding of  the structure and significance of the turfgrass industry to Horticulture.

 2. Identify careers within the turfgrass industry and the responsibilities (job duties and activities) and qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities) of employees in each career.

 3. Identify 10 turfgrass species from seeds and mown plants, 30 comon weeds, and the common insects and diseases found regionally in turf and methods of control (pesticide or cultural) appropriate for each.

 4. Demonstrate familiarity with turfgrass establishment and cultural practices (seeding, sodding, mowing, aerification, topdressing, fertilization. irrigation, IPM, etc) used in golf and sports turf management situations and how environmental conditions impact them.

 5. Use turf type (warm-season vs. cool-season), climate adaptation (drought, soil, and humidity tolerance) and turfgrass quality indicators (leaf color, verdure, uniformity, density, texture, etc) to discribe the condition of a turf stand, identify maintenance and cultural needs, and to select turf taxa appropriate to a situation.

 6. Discuss and explain occupational safety training and pesticide hazard communications practices for residential, commercial, and golf/sports turf situations.

 7. Demonstrates the ability to select and prepare turf equipment (sprayers, mowers, fertilizer spreaders, aerators, etc.) for use in completing specific tasks and the ability to shut down and clean equipment in compliance with any relevant environmental safety regulations/guidelines.

 8. Describe the benefit of wildlife on a golf course and outline the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary & Signature Programs for Golf Courses.

 9. Demonstrate and explain surface, internal and installed drainage systems for golf and sports fields.

 10. Describe the preparation for golf and sports field tournament play including the use of field marking paints, field covers, goals, cups, tees, and netting for player and spectator safety based on the rules of the sport.

 11. Use numeracy and problem solving skills to solve content related problems (ex. fertilizer applications, problem troubleshooting, pest identification, etc).

 12. Demonstrates comprehension of the contents and meaning of financial and work related documents and safety procedures (ex. standards of practice, financial/budgetary reports, work orders, chemical lables, employee evaluation documents, etc.) used in the management of commercial turf, golf turf, and sport turf.

 13. Explain a sample layout and construction of a golf tee, green or sports field.

 14. Demonstrate familiarity with the methods used to construct a golf green and its functionality (i.e. how a golf green’s construction impacts irrigation, drainage, and maintenance operations).

 

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I. Turfgrass selection and establishment

      a. Environmental  stressors and their impact

      b. Demands of users and managers and their impacts

 II. Cultral practices used in golf and sports turf management

      a. Primary cultural practices

      b. Secondary cultural practices

 III. Maintenance of non-turf facilities under direction of the superintendent

      a. Paved areas and lighting maintenance

      b. Tennis courts and track maintenance