A Comprehensive, Well-Rooted Evaluation

Rusty Oetker provides each of his Soil Horizons clients the full breadth and depth of his more than 35 years of experience and expertise in turf grass and sports turf management through:

• A comprehensive, on-site assessment of the many variables that influence the health and vigor of turf in a golf course, athletic field or park
• A detailed written report that recommends fertility and general maintenance action plans, based on the specific findings of the assessment

The written report:

• Maps out logical, easy to follow recommendations for maintaining optimal turf conditions that promote inviting, attractive, safe recreational environments that translate into improved financial viability for golf courses and other outdoor athletic and recreational facilities
• Helps golf superintendents and other recreational managers prevent turf grass problems and get the best results with the budgets and resources they have to work with
• Includes one full year of consultation from Rusty on the recommendations, including on-site follow-up visits and unlimited phone and email consultation

Each on-site assessment covers:

• Current conditions of greens, tees, fairways, roughs and athletic fields
• Mowing heights and practices
• Soil types
• Irrigation system design and watering practices
• Drainage
• Aeration and air circulation
• Past and current fertility and soil amending programs
• Cultural practices
• Thatch
• Maintenance equipment
• Maintenance facility
• Tree locations

The assessments also include:

• Soil and water testing to measure chemical constituents and determine proper fertility and soil amending programs
• Complete physical analysis of soil. This includes particle size analysis; determination of sand, silt, clay and organic matter content; evaluation of water release and retention characteristics; analysis of air-filled pore space and capillary pore space; measurement of bulk and particle density of soil; and determination of pH.

Evaluations for new courses

In addition to serving existing facilities, Soil Horizons, Inc. provides field testing for new construction to assure compliance with USGA specifications.

Testing by Brookside Laboratories

Soil Horizons, Inc. calls on the world-class testing expertise of Brookside Laboratories, Inc. to analyze collected samples. Brookside is a recognized world leader in sports turf analysis, accredited by the USGA and the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The USGA recommends that only A2LA-accredited laboratories be used for testing and analyzing materials for building greens in accordance with USGA guidelines.