Stewardship of natural resources, engagement in the communities where golf facilities are located, and maintaining prosperous businesses are vital to the long-term health of the golf industry.
The Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, is leading a collaborative industry-wide effort toward a sustainable approach to golf facility management.
Sustainability is about ensuring profitable businesses while making decisions that are in the long-term interest of the environment and communities. The 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.
The U.S. golf industry recognizes sustainability as the integration of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability as a critical and never-ending goal. The golf industry embraces sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainability is about the “triple bottom line” – people, planet, and profit.
Sustainable practices consider the environment, the community and the financial requirements that contribute to the long-term success of the golf industry.
Virtually every industry today faces environmental scrutiny and challenges, whether from government regulation or public perception. The golf course industry recognizes the need for a sustainability plan that is focused, organized, and fosters collaboration, unity, transparency, and participation as important principal elements.
Golf facilities serve as recreational, environmental and financial assets to their communities – and sustainable management of facilities serves to extend that relationship.
The Environmental Institute for Golf has identified three primary focus areas as key issues facing golf facilities today and into the future:
Water Conservation
Water Quality Protection
Energy Conservation
A commitment to improvements within these key areas will advance sustainability of individual golf facilities.
Many facilities are already taking positive steps. Here are some success stories from facilities that provide examples of a sustainable approach.
On water conservation:
• Santa Cruz, Calif.: Water Conservation in Response to Drought Has Many Positive Benefits
• Payson, Ariz.: Water Conservation at The Rim Golf Club
On water quality protection:
• Virginia Beach, Va.:Collaborating Golf Course Environmental Stewardship to Ensure a Healthy Watershed
• Salina, Kan.: Salina Country Club and The Groundwater Guardian Green Site Program
On energy use and conservation:
• Plaquemine, La.: Alternative Energy and Conservation at The Island Golf Club
• Rochester, Mass. Harnessing the Wind at Rochester Golf Club
Golf 20/20 published its first national report in 2002, which demonstrated that golf in 2000 was a $62 billion industry, bigger than the motion picture and recording industries combined. A follow-up report in 2007 confirmed that golf had grown to become a $76 billion industry. Golf 20/20’s economic research provides a clear documentation of golf’s effect on the economy. [Read the complete research report.](http://www.golf2020.com/economicresearch.aspx “”)
A sustainable approach to golf facility management is not a short-term program, but rather a continuously evolving way of doing business. In the first phase of the program, The Environmental Institute for Golf will focus on the following goals:
Establish baseline information
In 2009, GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile was completed, which is the first centralized study to document environmental features and practices on golf courses. The profile will serve as the tool to measure and report data for the golf course industry. It will indicate change in the future and provide the basis for education and resource development.
Best Management Practices
Voluntary, industry-specific Best Management Practices (BMPs) criteria will be developed that will serve as the foundation for golf facilities to implement change and operate in a manner of continual improvement. Learn more about the collaborative working groups that are participating in this project.
Tools and Resources
A set of tools/resources will be provided that will include a variety of programs, systems, and services for golf facilities to evaluate performance, and foster continual improvement.
Awards and Recognition
Awards will be created that recognize sustainable performance based upon recognized BMPs and program criteria. The awards and additional communications will position golf facilities as sustainability leaders in their communities. Through partnerships with sponsors and inclusion in national media, the sustainability efforts of golf facilities will reach a wide and varied audience.
