When Mike Settle caught Covid-19, it wasn't only his health that suffered. While the athletic director recovered, the football field he manages for Lake Wales Highlanders Boys Football took a hit. The interim person was seemingly not too experienced in turf grass management.
"They basically killed my field. I've been trying to get it back since," says Settle.
WM Phoenix Open gets TV-Ready with Endurant for one of golf's most environmentally-concsious events[/caption]
The Phoenix Open began Monday, February 1 and continues through February 7, 2021.
The course is one of many to choose Endurant early in the colorants' availability on the market, more than 10 years ago, due to Endurant's natural tone, non-toxic ingredients and staying power. Endurant is made with organic pigments and powerful binders to keep color on the grass without the overuse of water and harsh chemicals. (For more on the history, see a previous blog interview with a former TPS Scottsdale superintendent here.)
"'The People’s Open' was named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR four times in the past six years (2014, 2015, 2018, 2019) to acknowledge the tournament’s legendary status as one the most unique events in golf. The 2021 edition will mark the 86th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 12th as the WM Phoenix Open."Geoponics is proud that their Endurant line is trusted for use during the most prestigious events, as well as the most personal, including weddings of all sizes. TPC Scottsdale, Waste Management and Phoenix Open leaders are also priding themselves-- as does Geoponics-- in efforts to be better environmental stewards.
Endurant turf colorants provide TV-ready turf under pressure.[/caption]
McCormick was a golf course superintendent in Virginia for years before joining SiteOne. He knows the benefits of using Endurant turf colorants as a regular practice instead of overseeding with rye grass – and the benefits of using Endurant in emergencies when something goes awry.
“We used dyes, then pigments in the summer, then paints when everything went dormant,” said McCormick.
Many years ago, McCormick had tried several brands and varieties of turf colorants before landing on Endurant as the best option for professionals while he served as superintendent at Hanover Golf Club in Virginia, he said.
“We got a hold of Endurant while working with Virginia Tech,” said McCormick of the early years using the product.
“Back in the day, everyone was figuring out what nozzles to use and what rates and speeds. Most of all, I always remember the color,” he said.
“It didn’t look fake,” he noted.
That could not be said of the other colorants on the market, which were off-colored or faded to blue.
Ten years later and Endurant now has a variety of shades to match various turfgrass species. Unlike competitors, Endurant colorant lasts and when it does begin to fade, it fades on tone, noted McCormick.
He started with tees and using Endurant during transitions as a superintendent in VA.
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Endurant FW provides the perfect look and play for a high stakes football game aired on ESPN under the scrutiny of high definition TV.[/caption]
When Ryan DeMay, owner and principle with Field Source sports field management and a part-time City of Columbus employee, reached out to McCormick, DeMay knew instantly that feeling of wanting to get things just right on the field.
DeMay was concerned about a chemical burn on a Pickerington football field just days before a game was to be televised on ESPN.
“He had a little issue with an herbicide,” said McCormick.
While the troublesome spot would have eventually recovered, it wasn’t going to look good on TV.
“Endurant was easy to find and it stuck with me. Jay Wade and everyone was talking about it on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Everyone sees what's going on. So I didn’t need to chase a company down. I already have a good one,” said McCormick.
He had been keeping informed on the product, how, where and when to use it simply by following along on social media.
“And, no matter how good a fertility program you have it will never look as good as painted,” noted McCormick.
So DeMay reached out knowing McCormick had the experience with Bermuda and Endurant, although the Endurant can be used on just about anything from providing full color on dormant turf to sprucing up a dull fescue.
“There is nothing the entire line of Endurant cannot do,” said McCormick.
Geoponics, SiteOne landscape supply and Field Source sports field management provide Pickerington Ohio football field with the perfect solution to get TV-Ready turf quickly using Endurant FW turf colorant.[/caption]
Before and after photos show Endurant turf colorant on dormant warm season Bermuda grass.[/caption]
One of the challenges for some golf course superintendents, landscapers and turfgrass managers remains managing the transitions and transition zones, efficiently, economically, aesthetically and with optimal results agronomically-- all while providing optimal playing surfaces when applicable to golf courses and athletic fields.
Whether it's the time of year when turfgrass is transitioning from actively growing grass to dormant turf or the other way around, when dormant turf is on its way back in growing and producing chlorophyl, these in between times call for a flexible product, one that is in between two of Endurant's fan favorites-- Endurant turf paints and Endurant TE pigment.
Endurant colorant varieties. Check out the full line at TurfPaint.net[/caption]
Credit: Four Seasons Costa Rica[/caption]
Remember that first double-digit birthday when you were a kid? One of your kids'? Grandkids'? Remember the excitement?
We want to share that enthusiasm throughout the year.
Geoponics has a lot of gifts, and we like to share them!
We hope you'll participate, and get rewarded for doing so!
Endurant eco-friendly turf colorant applied at Hillwood Country Club provides a vibrant turfgrass transformation during full winter dormancy. Endurant also provides a boost in color when low temperatures cause intermittent browning.[/caption]
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Drought solutions #1: Humawet helps hold moisture, reduce water usage and includes organic matter considered to be the single most effective agent for sustainable agriculture.[/caption]
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Earth Day 2017: Using Geoponics products, including surfactants & Endurant turf colorants, is measurably decreasing the environmental footprint in golf.[/caption]
Endurant turf colorants replaced the old common environmentally costly practice of overseed. Endurant is lowering the environmental footprint of golf by reducing the practices of overseeding, including overwatering and over fertilizing. While Endurant gained in popularity over the course of 10 years, overseeding practices declined by 50 percent in the same 10 year period, according to Golf Management Magazine and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
The effect on the golf industry alone has been dramatic as indicated by recent studies. Geoponics has expanded to offering more alternatives to home users whose lawn care practices can have an even more dramatic effect due to their collective acreage.
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