In the first two installments of this three-part Lean & Green series, we explored three of the five -step journey through the Golf Course Environmental Management (GEM) process. Beginning with the all-important Analysis step, we moved to step two, Documentation, or the written record of everything we learned in step one. The third step was Implementation where we learned that you could not get to where you want to go without a plan – accompanied by decisive action. The final two steps in the GEM process are evaluation and revision.
Evaluation.
After implementing and documenting your well-conceived, environmentally sound and community-sensitive management practices in the field, it is paramount that you frequently evaluate how well they actually work! Making monthly, weekly or even daily tweaks to your management procedures can result in measurable improvement – the ultimate goal of the GEM process. Today’s golf course industry professional would agree, it is always good to do a quick check to ensure that your current destination is the same as the one you set out for in the first place. Regular observation of the relative quality and long-term value of current management practice decisions is vital to ensuring continued improvement. A fully implemented GEM Plan relies on this step to guarantee success.
For example, if you are encountering declining turf quality and density on all of your greens, there is no way you are going to determine what needs to be changed without regular and pointed observation. Good superintendents are experts at this activity. They accomplish this by visiting each green every day – sometimes two or three times depending on the season or turf quality-related issue they may be encountering. In addition to being able to quantify improvements through the repeatable GEM process, a systematic approach can help increase your income and job satisfaction. The GEM process also ensures regular evaluation that assists in minimizing or eliminating your course’s potential to negatively impact the environment.
Revision.
The fifth and final step in the GEM process is where the rubber truly meets the road. Through a concerted application of each of the five steps of the GEM process, the golf course industry manager will be able to confidently revise their practices and move forward. Identifying and changing potentially costly practices, whether to your budget, the environment or your community is the key measure. Acting on observations and lessons learned is the definition of professionalism and experience.
In retrospect, by utilizing the five-step GEM process the golf course industry manager should be able to document where they started their analysis, communicate their strategy for their selected and implemented management approaches to their identified environmental challenges, and show how they evaluated and revised their practices and procedures in the field.
The first time through the cycle can be difficult and may take a full season to evolve into a comprehensive, science-based comprehensive golf course environmental management plan. Future cycles through the process are much easier and can bear even greater fruit for your budget, the environment and your community. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
