One new feature that has been developed at Hawks Nest GC – which the turf students get use for experiential learning – is the research green. Dr Raudenbush initiated the project in the Spring of 2016 and has used it as a tool for the turf program to develop a research component going forward. Dr Nangle is also involved and has begun trials on the green with Dominic Petrella at PhD student working at OARDC. The research has both an applied and basic component with issues such as fertility management, herbicide effects, fungicide efficacy all being tested on site. Issues such as winter acclimation are also being investigated and the green is available for research use going forward. The turf students are also gaining insight into one part of turf research which is both giving them cutting edge information as well as understanding into how products are evaluated for end users.
Dominic Petrella working on the research green at Hawks Next (10-19-16)