Attitude adjustment

Many people, including golf course superintendents, believe a person should aspire to sustainability. It is a goal that generates awards and accolades for “doing things the right way.”

While that might actually happen on occasion, that is not the basis of sustainability.

The fact of the matter is that sustainability actually rests on a foundation of individual responsibility, personal attitude and actions.

Many superintendents already exhibit an attitude based in sustainable thought. Managing your golf facilities with an eye toward minimizing the use of water, for example, is a part of sustainable golf facility management.

Making certain your golf course maintenance facility is clean, neat and organized in such a manner to prevent and contain any material spills or leaks that might contaminate the environment is a part of sustainable golf facility management, too.

For a golf facility to be sustainable, however, it must be economically viable. If the course doesn’t stay in business, then how will it continue to offer the environmental and social benefits associated with its existence? However, a person who works from the basis of sustainability also recognizes there are economic costs associated with environmental and social topics, too. And these topics are not only related to a specific golf facility, but also to the community where the facility is located. This means for a golf facility to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, course management must demonstrate they are not only focused on managing their facilities in economic, environmental and socially profitable way’s, but they are also contributing to the economic, environmental and social benefit of the communities in which they operate.

For private golf clubs, this is even more of a challenge than public-play facilities. The majority of people on the planet and in your community don’t play golf and they see little, to no value in the game or golf facilities in general. For golf to attempt to remain viable it will become increasingly important for golf course superintendents to realize that they are not just in the turf management business.

Golf is uniquely positioned as a game that is played in nature. That means that superintendents should be in the business of managing the nature of the game and not just the turfgrass, as the surface that most golfers prefer to play their shots from.
If superintendents, club managers, golfers and others who are associated with golf facility management and use would take this sustainability attitude to heart, golf facilities, both private and public will become more appreciated as valuable assets within their communities that create jobs, serve as valuable green spaces for wildlife and human benefit well beyond those that just play the game.

A sustainable golf facility, according to ISC-Audubon, is an economically sound business that provides safe, healthy and enjoyable environments for all employees, members, visitors and guests. It is sited, designed, and constructed in ways that enhance the local community, and reduce or eliminate its impact on natural resources. It is managed in ways that provide balance between optimum playing conditions for golfers, and good stewardship of the natural environment. Management strategies are based upon scientifically sound site specific best practices that improve the quality of all life on the site, regionally, and beyond. Through outreach and education a sustainable golf facility is a champion and advocate of sustainability.
   
“OK…great,” you might be saying. “But what can I do, starting tomorrow, to begin working toward these goals?”

Here are 10 steps toward a more sustainable facility:

1. Provide green techniques in hardscape areas.
2. Mix and load responsibly
3. Store and handle pesticides and fertilizers responsibly
4. Be environmentally responsible at the fuel island
5. Manage the equipment wash areas correctly
6. Provide clean, organized and safe working conditions
7. Provide education and social opportunities
8. Be environmentally responsible in amenity buildings and areas
9. Provide for environmental stewardship on the golf course
10. Use technology and innovation

Remember, these are just a few suggested steps forward. But, sustainability isn’t a destination or a succinct list of steps. Sustainability is really an attitude coupled with various methods and techniques that are based in science. For golf, the goal is to reduce the risks associated with managing golf facilities, while at the same time improving the quality of the environment and societal topics.

However, we need to remember that environmental and social issues also have economic consequences. Too often we have not included the costs associated with environmental and social issues that are not directly, or clearly associated with an individual golf facility. We can no longer afford to think and act like this.

All of our actions have both internal and external costs. This relates to the decisions that you make with regard to the products that you purchase and the way that you use those products.

About the author
Ron Dodson is cofounder with Bill Love  of Love& Dodson, a firm specializing in sustainable planning, design, construction and management of golf courses, recreational facilities and sanctuaries. Check them out at www.loveanddodson.com.