The following brief summary of the Environmental Principles of Golf Conference was prepared by CRM. The purpose of the summary is not to provide a detailed account of the various presentations and open discussions that took place, but to synthesize the major themes, conclusions, and next steps as seen by CRM. The various presentations that were made as Power Point or presented in a written format can be viewed from the conference Web site: www.golfprinciplesconf.org.
The conference summary includes the following sections:
I. Program Overview
II. Summary of Responses from Conference Breakout Sessions
III. Major Conclusions and Recommendations Based on the Scorecard Report and Conference Discussions
IV. Next steps and Golf & the Environment Coalition Projects V. Conference Sponsors
I. Program Overview
The conference took place Feb. 19-20, 2007 at the Crowne Plaza Resort in Anaheim, Calif. Sixty-three representatives from the golf industry, government, environmental community, and media organizations attended the two-day event. The conference agenda included a diversity of presentations, break-out sessions, and plenary roundtable discussions.
The conference was co-chaired by Michael Hurdzan, Principle, Hurdzan Fry and Phil Oshida, Deputy Director, Standards and Risk Management Division, Office of Ground Water/Drinking Water, United States Environmental Protection Agency. The various conference presentations and discussions focused on different activities going on in the golf industry that support and contribute to environmental stewardship.
A number of people talked about how things have changed over the past twelve years since Golf & the Environment Initiative (G&E) was launched at the Pebble Beach conference in 1995. A brief video of past G&E conferences and demonstration projects highlighted some of the activities.
Ted Horton and Todd Miller spoke about the beginnings of G&E and how the collaboration helped the golf industry and the environmental community. Ted said the effort to develop the Environmental Principles helped the industry come together and develop a united approach to environmental issues. Miller explained how the Principles were used in North Carolina to create a $16 million conservation easement and that the process of developing the Principles raised the level of credibility and respect among environmentalists for golf architects and superintendents.
Peter Stangel, the keynote speaker on Monday, spoke about the work of Wildlife Links program and some of its successes. He also challenged the industry to develop some “Big Hairy Audacious Goals” (BHAG’s) for environmental stewardship in the future.
Jim Snow and Greg Lyman spoke about the various programs at United States Golf Association (USGA) and Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA). Snow provided a brief overview of some of the USGA research that has included 370 projects at 46 different universities for a total of $28 million in research grants.
Lyman presented a brief synopsis of GCSAA Environmental Profile Project that will compile survey data on course resources and practices. This first survey data will be available this summer and will include data such as the typical 18-hole course contains 150 acres of which 11 acres are water features and 24 acres are non-mowed natural areas. Lyman also spoke about GCSAA’s online EDGE data resource and the various training and educational programs provided by GCSAA.
Bill Love gave an overview of a survey of the American Society of Golf Course Architects Association members. Architects feel that today’s golf courses are more environmentally responsible in areas of design, construction and maintenance. They said that while the public is generally more aware of environmental issues that unless golfers have fun and enjoy their golf experience they have little interest in environmental issues on the course.
Jean Mackay gave a presentation about the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) and showed how certified courses demonstrate higher levels of environmental awareness and commitment than non-certified members. For example, certified courses generally have 12 percent more wildlife habitat than regular members. Jean also explained that ACSP seems to have captured the “green heart” segment of superintendents who are naturally drawn to environmental concerns.
Beyond this core group there is much less involvement and support for ACSP. Jeff Carlson presented information about Widow’s Walk Golf Course and the Vineyard Golf Club that uses an organic approach to maintenance. He spoke about the successes and challenges of organic turf management and the program at the Vineyard Golf Club of water quality monitoring and maintenance practices limited to the use of only organic pesticides and fertilizers.
Brent Blackwelder spoke about the issue of global climate change and the ways in which golf courses can contribute to addressing the issue. For example, golf courses can conserve energy by using high efficiency pumps for irrigation and renewably energy and off-peak electricity for recharging golf carts. He challenged the industry leadership to reduce energy use, fertilizers, and pesticides and to get owners and developers more involved.
Barbara Booth presented information on “Ten Years of Progress in Irrigation and Water Management.” She spoke about the improvements that have taken place with computer control technology, new irrigation head design, more systematic approach to monitoring vegetation and soil conditions, and applying water only where and when needed. She said that the golf industry has developed the most efficient irrigation system in the world. In spite of these technological advances, public perception of golf course water use is a big challenge and that the industry must proactively communicate their commitment to water resource stewardship.
Tom Shapland talked about how regulations have become more complicated and extensive and often don’t seem to make sense. He said this is often the view of golf course builders who must respond to the demands of course designers and local regulators.
Jon Last gave a provocative presentation concerning golfer attitudes about the environment and compared the results with previous surveys done by Golf Digest magazine. According to the survey golfer support for environmental practices has continued to decline since 2002 while at the same time golfer interest in learning about the environment as part of the golfing experience has increased. The challenge for the golf industry is how best to capture that interest in learning about the environment and elevating it into support for stewardship practices.
Dana Lonn presented an overview of new technologies that are changing the way superintendents maintain turf and other course resources to improve stewardship practices. Advances in remote sensing of plant tissues and soil conditions allow superintendents much greater control and precision in applying water, nutrients, and pesticides. Using these new tools can reduce maintenance costs while protecting the environment from over application or waste of inputs. Lonn also discussed emerging technologies in the area of energy such as solar and hydrogen fuel cells and how they could be applied in a golf course setting.
Tom Brennan talked about EPA’s partnership programs such as Energy Star and Water Wise. These types of programs save consumers money, help the environment, and educate the public all at the same time. Partnerships that include government, business, and NGOs provide benefits to multiple organizations and capitalize on different organization resources and strengths. The value of these programs and partnerships can be defined by applying measurement data that help define success. In addition to measurement data, the success of partnerships depend upon clearly defined mutual goals that can be tracked over time, EPA has worked with the golf industry through G&E and in other areas and is committed to continuing these relationships particularly in the development of program goals and measurement data. Brennan encouraged the industry to formulate discreet, measurable environmental goals to guide future stewardship efforts.
Rob Wood reiterated Brennan’s points about the need for measurable goals. He challenged the industry to set goals for reducing the average amount of maintained turf, increasing the acreage and condition of wetlands, reducing average water use, and becoming a national leader in environmental stewardship. Wood said EPA continues its desire and commitment to partner with the golf industry in developing and achieving environmental stewardship goals.
Following the speakers’ presentations, the participants responded with comments, questions, and open discussion. Several general themes and common observations emerged during these open dialogues including:
1. There is a general sense that environmental stewardship practices have improved over the past decade and that the information and management tools are available to do it right, but…
- The data base has not been put in place at this time to validate that premise;
- True believers (green at heart) are already on board and can demonstrate success in programs such as ACSP, but most other owners, superintendents, developers, and golfers don’t seem to care that much about environmental matters; and
- Future progress beyond the status quo will require new emphasis, strategies, and resources focused on education and environmental awareness/marketing.
2. Future stewardship success will require industry actions behind the words to demonstrate national leadership in areas such as:
- Use of mass media to create a new market for environmental golf courses that will change consumer attitudes, define the new golf experience, drive technology improvements, and influence owners and developers toward greater environmental commitment; and
- Adopt discreet, measurable goals in areas such as water conservation, water quality, wildlife, and golfer education.
II. Summary of Responses from Conference Break-Out Sessions
A. Issues and Opportunities
1. Lack of understanding and accessible information about the environmental benefits of golf.
2. Increasing conflicts over the content and inconsistency of local and state regulations regarding chemical use and other maintenance practices that may reduce golf course management options and economic viability.
3. Quality of storm water runoff related to erosion and pesticide/nutrient fate and possible cumulative affects on aquatic resources from construction and management of golf course development.
4. Increasing competition for water resources and growing trend for golf courses to extend irrigation into rough or natural areas.
5. Need to improve energy use efficiency and conservation efforts particularly for irrigation pumping, maintenance facilities, and cartcharging operations.
6. Lack of a common definition or understanding of what constitutes a quality golf experience and unrealistic expectations of golfers for “pristine” or “perfect” golf course conditions.
7. Lack of economic and other incentives for owners and superintendents to implement environmental stewardship practices.
8. Need to educate all stakeholders including golfers, non-golfers, superintendents, owners, pros, environmental advocates, and local regulators concerning environmental assets of golf properties and responsible stewardship practices.
B. Research Priorities
1. Environmental Impacts of Golf Courses
a. Develop a carbon footprint for golf courses and determine how carbon credits could be marketed.
b. Environmental and community impacts of new land use development that occurs as courses are closed and land is sold.
c. Determine the measurable environmental benefits of courses to surrounding landscape and communities for things such as ground water recharge, fire breaks, wildlife habitat, etc. and develop a template that each course could use to determine individual benefits.
d. Potential for invasive plants on the golf course invading surrounding areas.
e. Impacts of feral cats on local bird populations.
f. Health issues of golf course workers.
2. New products and Equipment
a. Determine what effect new balls and clubs have on design and maintenance of courses.
b. Continued progress on sensing devices and precision control equipment. c. Continued progress on new turf cultivars.
3. Stewardship Practices
a. Determine costs and benefits of environmental stewardship practices.
b. Public policy incentives (tax reductions) for reduced use of water/pesticides.
c. Determine how research findings are applied in the field and the overall impact they have on stewardship practices.
4. Social Issues
a. Determine why owners, developers, and superintendents are reluctant to implement stewardship practices and/or join Audubon International programs.
b. Determine attitudes and perceptions of golfers and non-golfers regarding environmentally-friendly courses and what messages and outreach methods are most effective in changing attitudes and behaviors.
5. Research Process
a. Involve other organizations such as Ducks Unlimited in research and in implementing results.
C. Environmental Goals
1. General/Overarching
a. Golf courses are seen as an environmental asset and golf as good for life.
b. Golf is seen as a national leader in environmental stewardship.
c. All goals should be achievable and measurable.
2. Sustainability
a. Reduce golf’s environmental footprint by x percent over the next ten years. b. Reduce the average acreage of irrigated turf to x acres+-per course.
c. Increase the number of certified AI courses by (x%?).
d. (x%?) of all courses apply nutrients based on soil and tissue tests.
e. Develop simple template for determining a course’s environmental footprint and measure progress including water nutrients, energy, pesticides, etc.
f. Reduce average golf course non-reclaimed water use by (x%?) over the next ten years through efficiency improvements, reduced irrigated acreage, etc. and increase recycled water use as x percent of total.
g. Every golf course has a peer-reviewed environmental plan that is also a requirement for Class A membership in GCSAA.
h. All courses measure and document total water use and key parameters of water quality.
i. Develop simple environmental rating system (scorecard) for courses and identify the “best and worst” environmentally sensitive courses.
3. Education and Outreach
a. Open on-going dialogue with housing industry regarding golf
course environmental stewardship goals and practices.
b. Develop a public education and outreach strategy that targets all stakeholder groups.
c. Build improved coalitions and liaisons with allied third parties and
within the golf industry.
d. Develop targeted education efforts for owners and developers.
i. Siting – determine suitable golf course locations.
ii. Environmental practices are economically viable.
e. Distribute more broadly success stories.
f. Identify and involve local community organizations early on in
development process.
g. (x%?) of all courses complete GCSAA environmental profile survey.
h. Open dialogue with insurance industry to encourage lower liability insurance rates based upon improved environmental stewardship practices.
i. Golf industry is seen as a transparent source of accurate information.
j. Develop a booklet of the 50 things a golf course can do to help the environment and recognize courses that implement things on the list.
k. Work with The First Tee to incorporate environmental values into learning curriculum for children.
l. Develop a template for the economic and community value of golf courses including lifestyle health, open space, watershed, wildlife habitat, etc.
m. Work with Golf 20/20 to incorporate environmental goals into industry-wide goals for growth of the game.
III. Major Conclusions and Recommendations Findings and Conclusions
1. Significant advances in many areas of environmental stewardship have taken place since 1996 particularly in new research, new products and technology, and education/information programs at a national level.
2. Performance data from voluntary stewardship programs such as Audubon International demonstrate significant environmental improvement when courses go through a planning and certification process. Beyond that limited data it is not clear what percentage of the nation’s courses have made improvement since 1996.
3. A major barrier to improved environmental stewardship is the perceived lack of awareness or concern on the part of golfers, owners, and developers. Previous attempts to educate and motivate these groups of stakeholders to support environmental stewardship practices are perceived as ineffective or inadequate. It has also been noted that national programs such as the 1st Tee and Golf 20/20 have shown little interest in incorporating environmental stewardship issues or topics into their activities.
4. Collaborative environmental programs such as G&E need to involve a greater diversity of key stakeholder groups such as environmental leaders, PGA of America, PGA Tour, golf course owners and developers, and state and local agencies.
5. The Environmental Principles published in 1996 are still perceived by stakeholders as valuable in raising awareness and encouraging stewardship by providing a concise statement of environmental philosophy and representing a national consensus for both the industry and environmental community.
6. The increasing unrealistic expectation of golfers for “perfect” golf course conditions and the effect of new balls and clubs that widen/lengthen course layouts is not sustainable and undermines the movement toward
more natural and less maintained golf acreage.
7. The lack of national data on golf course environmental stewardship and the lack of national environmental goals that can be tracked and measured over time is seen by many stakeholders as a significant issue and opportunity for the future environmental credibility and stewardship improvement of the industry. The current lack of national golf course data is being addressed by GCSAA with a major initiative begun in 2006. This initiative, called the Golf Course Environmental Profile Project, includes a series of surveys over the next five years to determine the physical features found on golf courses, maintenance practices and inputs associated with management of courses. Data from the initial survey will be released in the summer of 2007.
Recommendations
1. Encourage golf course superintendents and owners through a variety of national organizations and outreach efforts to (a) submit golf course data to GCSAA for the environmental profile project, and (b) become certified members of ACSP or advance through a similar program.
2. In addition to traditional areas of environmental research, allocate resources for research into areas such as:
a. Environmental benefits of courses and the effects of course closures on land use and other environmental issues.
b. Determine what messages and methods are most effective in changing attitudes and behaviors of golfers, owners, developers, and other stakeholders concerning support for environmental stewardship.
c. Determine how research findings are applied in the field and what could be done to improve beneficial use and dissemination of research including the involvement of stakeholder organizations such as Ducks Unlimited.
3. Develop an industry-wide education and outreach strategy that promotes environmental awareness and responsibility suited to the particular attitudes and perceptions of golfers, owners, developers, superintendents, architects, builders, and non-golfers.
4. Develop simple environmental rating system (scorecard) for golf courses and identify and publish lists of courses with both high and low ratings (i.e. Energy Star).
5. Develop an industry/stakeholder collaborative process to define and endorse a set of discreet, measurable environmental goals to be achieved by the golf community by the year 2017. This might be developed as an “Environmental Charter for Golf” with vision statements and specific goals such as:
Vision Statement:
- Golf industry is recognized as a national leader in environmental stewardship.
- Golf courses are viewed as environmental assets and golf as good for life.
Goals:
a. Define golf’s environmental footprint and reduce it by x%.
b. Reduce the average acreage of maintained turf per course to x +/- acres. 9 c. Every course to have a peer-reviewed environmental plan using a nationally defined template.
d. Decrease total average golf course water use by x% and increase reclaimed water use by y percent.
e. Increase the average number of acres devoted to wildlife habitat pe course to x acres.
IV. Next Steps and Golf & the Environment Coalition (GEC) Projects
GEC is a national program managed by CRM to encourage and support environmental stewardship and stakeholder collaboration with the golf community. Under the banner of GEC the CRM will promote education and outreach, consensus building, and partnership projects that advance environmental stewardship of the nation’s golf courses.
Based upon previous work, research, and the outcomes of the Environmental Principles of Golf Conference, CRM plans to continue and/or initiate the following GEC projects:
1. Organic Golf Project Objectives: Develop an overview of organic golf activities and issues including proposed definition of terminology.
Activities:
- Review and summarize survey results
- Draft white paper and proposed definitions
- Line up sponsors to print and distribute report
- Distribute final report to stakeholders Organization: Reconvene a small working group to meet via conference call to discuss issues and prepare paper. Timeline: Continuation of previous work; project should be completed within 6-12 months.
2. Environmental Golf Alliance (EGA) Objectives: Educate golfers about the environment and environmentalists about golf; strengthen ties between the two in support of environmental stewardship.
Activities:
- Organize Advisory Board
- Develop EGA website
- Develop golfers’ guide to the environment
- Develop an environmentalists’ guide to golf
- Prepare annual scorecard report of stewardship activities
- Line up sponsors Organization: Organize Advisory Board of representatives from golf, education, environmental community, and media. Timeline: Start small in May 2007 and build as on-going program.
3. Golf 2017 Project Objectives: Develop through a collaborative process of industry and environmental leaders, similar to what produced the Environmental Principles, an “Environmental Charter for Golf” that would include discreet, measurable environmental goals for 2017.
Activities:
- Develop support and buy-in from key organizations and groups in the industry, environmental community and EPA
- Gather information on similar efforts in other countries and in other industries
- Review current information on industry environmental stewardship indicators, activities, and outcomes
- Organize working group to draft charter
- Line up sponsors
- Hold committee meetings/revise working drafts
- Circulate final draft for review and endorsement
- Print final document and distribute to stakeholders
Timeline: Initiate project activities in April/May 07; expected duration 12-18 months to complete
V. Conference Sponsors
Silver Sponsors: Rain Bird, The Toro Co., United States Environmental Protection Agency
Bronze Sponsors: E-Z-GO, Club Car, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, United States Golf Association
Contributing Sponsors: Aquatrols, ClubCorp, Club Managers Association of America