What does the future promise for our industry? Not only from a business standpoint, but from the ability to offer a gratifying recreation experience as well as our ability to properly manage and care for natural resources that the game and society relies upon.
All three of these components: economic, community, and the environment, are key elements of sustainability. Sustainability is becoming an important aspect or philosophy of many businesses, organizations, communities, and government entities throughout the world. Many of us might like to avoid these tough questions, but we as an industry must be prepared, accountable and pro-active as we head into the future.
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of GCSAA, is leading a collaborative industry-wide effort toward a sustainable approach to golf facility management. Their focus is on continual improvement by professionally managing and conserving resources and inputs, and reducing waste while providing playing conditions that satisfy golfers of today and tomorrow.
Sustainability may be considered by some as a righteous cause or something that can be accomplished by a few changes in operations. But one thing is certain, it can’t be achieved and then forgotten. Sustainability is an ever-changing, dynamic way of doing business. It isn’t something to back away from, but to embrace. Sustainable business practices can have positive impacts on your facility’s bottom line with both short-term and long-term investments and returns. Consider short-term savings through simple energy conservation practices like turning off the lights or saving water. Then consider long-term returns from investing in technologies and even the improved image of the game or brand of your facility. Incorporating these key elements into your decision-making processes will only help your business as well as society.
And of course it is about environmental stewardship as well. As we look ahead we can expect that golf throughout the U.S. will face increasing regulatory pressures pertaining to water use and water quality issues. In addition, resource restrictions and availability will affect business. Water, land use, labor issues, energy use, air quality, and pollution concerns will continue to be within the headlines. Environmental groups are demanding increasing regulatory action in lieu of voluntary compliance. Ultimately, the cost of doing business will continue to increase.
Across the United States, golf facilities are dealing with water management issues from use restrictions in California and Nevada to nutrient use restrictions in Florida and states adjacent to the Chesapeake Bay. This trend is expected to expand across the nation. States like Nebraska certainly face issues during drought or water rights from neighboring states. Our message is that golf courses rely upon and professionally manage inputs, such as, water, nutrients and pesticides, in order to deliver our product, which has many great benefits.
Sustainability will not only provide the means to improve our bottom line, but provides a great platform to deliver this message. It is important to promote the many benefits our industry can offer to the environment. We want see governmental agencies and environmental groups mitigating the loss of “green space” with the development of environmental friendly golf courses and parks. In addition, we want to see communities placing a greater value on turf and its effects on soil erosion and flood control. Golf facilities should be recognized as community greenspaces that provide not only recreational opportunities, but also offer important wildlife habitat.
The truth is that we don’t know all of the environmental challenges that lay ahead, but we can be equipped to defend our actions. Adopting a sustainable business philosophy through best management practices and advocating on behalf of the golf industry before regulations impact our business is a sound approach.
GCSAA, through the EIFG, offers existing, established and recognized resources from throughout the nation. Resources include access to BMPs that are recognized within states, such as Oregon, Florida, and Pennsylvania, as well as links to environmental programs, like the Audubon International, Groundwater Guardian Greensite Program and ePar Environmental Management Systems.
Key elements of these programs include the following suggestions to enhance our facilities environmental stewardship:
What will our legacy be? Will our industry be viewed as part of the problem or part of the solution? The late President John F. Kennedy says it best, “There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”
William K. Bieck, CGCS
