Lawrence, Kan. – This spring, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is starting a project that will evaluate golf course environmental performance. The multi-year project, the Golf Course Environmental Profile, will collect information to allow superintendents and other facility personnel to become better managers, help facilities operate more efficiently and lead to the GCSAA developing more valuable programs and services. Information will include details about playing surfaces, natural resources, environmental stewardship efforts and maintenance practices.
The project is being funded by The Environmental Institute for Golf and The Toro Foundation.
The project will consist of several cycles of surveys that will be conducted throughout many years. Each survey cycle will collect information about the physical features found on a golf course, water use, water quality, wildlife and habitat management, energy use and nutrient and pesticide use. The first cycle of surveys will establish a baseline of information from which environmental progress can be measured. The second cycle will begin five years after the start of first cycle and will be used to document environmental change and environmental progress.
Beginning this month, the GCSAA and nonmember superintendents will receive questionnaires regarding their facilities and golf course management activities.