794-191 Sports Turf Management I

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Horticulture.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to extend the ability of participants to:

• define different sports turf management terms;

• develop an understanding of modern sports turf management;

• describe the sports turf industry and its various sectors;

• describe the basic turf structure, function and taxonomy of grasses;

• use appropriate turf grass classification systems;

• understand the criteria applied in selecting turf grasses in a range of environmental conditions;

• understand fundamental growth and physiology of turf grass;

• describe the cultural, environmental and technical requirements for successful propagation of turf grasses from seed and vegetation establishment;

• perform speicalist sowing/planting techniques;

• purchasing and laying instant lawn;

• describe site preparation for turf grass establishment and aftercare;

• design and use a turf grass record system;

• carry out a maintenance audit on a turf grass facility;

• describe the processes involved in maintenance and preparation of the turf surface;

• describe the role and responsibilities of a turf grass manager in managing a sports turf facility.

Content: An overview of sports turf management industry, turf grass botany and vegetative identification, turf grass selection characteristics, the major cool and warm season turf grasses and alternatives, turf grass growth and physiology, successful propagation of turf grasses from seed and vegetative means, site preparation for turf establishment, aftercare of juvenile turf grass, laying instant lawn, surface management, establishment and management of turf in these situations, role and responsibilites of the turf grass management.

Assessment

Final examination of 90 minutes (50%), turf grass plant collection (25%), assignment of 2000 words (25%).