TurfNet Superintendent of the Year 2009
Finalist Profile:
Scott Bower, Martis Camp, Truckee, Calif.
 During the planning and construction phases of the golf course at Martis Camp in Truckee, Calif., superintendent Scott Bower knew many challenges lay ahead because of the environmental sensitive nature of the location.
As many as a half-dozen environmental watchdog groups monitored construction of the course and other amenities and continue to keep a watchful eye over the 2,100-acre property in the Sierra Nevada that includes upscale private residences, a lodge, golf course and ski resort. Their concern was and remains water quality of the Martis Creek that runs through the property.
For Bower, 39, this oversight by the Lahontan Regional Water Control Board and several environmental groups means absolutely nothing applied to the golf course can find its way into the creek.
Naturally, such groups were prepared for a contentious relationship with those involved in the Martis Camp project. But all involved in the project were equally committed to preserving the pristine nature of the area. That means leaving the area in the same shape or better than they found it.
"This is no small feat," wrote Lori Carpenter, a hydrologist in Reno, Nevada, in her nomination of Bower for TurfNet's 2009 Superintendent of the Year Award, presented by Syngenta.
"Everything here has been proactive in making sure we are doing things the right way. We brought in a bunch of scientists with Ph.D.'s to make sure we were doing it the right way," Bower said.
"Our goal was to make (the oversight groups) our partners. And I feel we've done that."
To help keep Martis Creek clean and pristine, Bower initiated a water-quality assessment program. Under the program, he and members of his staff monitor real-time data collected at 41-sampling sites around the property, including 15-testing points in the creek. There are an additional five stations located off the property, a testament to the stewardship of the overall plan at Martis Camp.
The water quality testing points gather data as the creek enters and exits the golf course. Readings are taken every 15 seconds, so there is little chance of anything that enters the stream going undetected.
"The main thing with the program is not to show groups that we're taking water samples, but if there is a problem, then we can solve it quickly," Bower said. "But if there is a problem, you can solve it quickly. Accidents do happen. Luckily, we haven't had any problems.
"We wanted to make sure we had a program that evaluated everything that is going on. Taking samples is one thing, but if something is wrong, we can follow it up stream and have a protocol to correct whatever action that is. "
Maintaining perfect playing conditions under such tight restrictions in an area with a five-month growing season also can be a challenge.
According to Carpenter, that meant establishing the proper chemical balance in the soils before the first blade of grass was grown at Martis Camp.
"There is no room for error on this team's part," Bower said. "We can't go out and misapply a product. We just cannot do that. It's difficult, but it makes us stronger and better. It takes a little bit of time and there is a longer thought process to think that through. But nothing gets put down on this golf course that is not needed. That's challenging on a golf course with such a short growing season."
Ensuring there was no contamination during the construction process also meant more than limiting what left the construction site.
"I never envisioned we would have $100,000 wheel washers during construction to make sure every vehicle coming out of was crystal clean, but we did," Bower said. "Those were things we had to do to react very quickly.
"It wasn't always fun, or inexpensive, but we had to do it."
For Bower, the personally enlightening part of being involved in Martis Camp is proving what the industry can do not only here, but elsewhere.
"I never thought I would know so much about water quality and the science behind," Bower said.
"It's been fun and it's been a learning process. The good news is I am able to pass this knowledge along to the guys who are here with me. They can take this and do it wherever they go. Are we the best at what we do? No. Are we aware, and do we want to get better? Yes.
"We're not only grass-growers, we're water-quality experts and we're proud of that. We're definitely on the forefront."
The Superintendent of the Year award, sponsored by Syngenta, is presented annually by TurfNet to one outstanding superintendent selected from among those nominated by club officials, course owners, members, casual golfers, or staff members.
The winner will be announced at GIS in San Diego, and will travel with a guest to Ireland for a week-long golf course tour, courtesy of Syngenta.
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