Lean & Green: EMS & more

I sometimes experience trepidation or experience-based pessimism when I approach a golf course industry professional, smile and introduce myself in the manner above.

Nevertheless, here’s my introduction to you: My lifelong love of the game of golf encompasses playing relatively proficiently for nearly 45 years, a degree in landscape architecture and a frustrating six months as an “assistant professional” working in an Arizona pro shop. I have worked on three separate golf course maintenance crews, albeit low tech/low responsibility, I earned a master of science in environmental science and I’ve led several GCSAA seminars at the Golf Industry Show.

I am a card-carrying GCSAA member and my motivation is to provide you with the best ideas, practices and procedures for golf course environmental management.

So, let’s get started. With Lean & Green, my goal will be to help you do the right things, the right way, for the right reasons. Sustainability is the message and possibly the goal, but reality will be the driving force. I will be exploring solutions to common problems that will reflect the following priorities: playability, short-term efficiencies and long-term economic and environmental sense.

From this perspective, Lean & Green will examine the significant environmental challenges the golf course industry faces, including water and pesticide use restrictions to the acronym-laden world of EMS, GIS and GPS. In fact, topics will include anything that could possibly help golf course managers and superintendents in their pursuit to provide the best possible playing surfaces with minimal negative environmental impacts for their owners, members, customers and the local community.

On EMS

One of my favorite topics is EMS, or environmental management system. There are several good ones in use around the world. I believe an EMS is paramount to attaining and maintaining sustainable goals for the savvy, 21^st century golf course manager. The Audubon International’s Cooperative Sanctuary Program is the oldest and most successful environmental management protocol. Led by such environmental stalwarts as Ron Dodson, Jean Mackay, Joellen Zeh, and more recently Kevin Fletcher, the good folks at AI have set the standard in promoting stewardship, conservation and their program. Backed by the USGA, AI has achieved excellent participation in the United States claiming more than 1,200 members.

Another emerging success story is the Australia-based e-par system conceived by Terry Muir and managed by Environmental Business Solutions. According to its Web site, “EBS is a team of highly skilled environmental specialists committed to delivering excellence in customer service to our global customer base.” Based on the international standard, ISO 14001, e-par has aggressively embraced the world of golf and is positioned to grow well beyond its “down under” beginnings.

The large ruling-body, directive organizations dominate the next group of EMS-supporters. The USGA, headed by Jim Snow, is a significant contributor to environmental stewardship and sustainability. In addition to the previously mentioned support to AI, the USGA leads the world in funding golf management research.

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews also has a hand in the business of sustainable golf management practices. It supports Europe-based Committed to Green, a not-for-profit foundation headed by David Stubbs. Since 2000, Committed to Green has been working “to promote environmental education and support the conservation of nature and natural resources through sustainable sport and recreation.” In addition, the R&A’s golf management program assistant director Steve Isaac leads a quality online golf course EMS approach called Course Management Best Practice. Through the Internet, this EMS encourages environmental stewardship by tracking your club’s status in several course management areas from planning and design to greenkeeping. The site also provides access to several quality documents that promote sustainability.

Through phenomenal energy and an organization-wide commitment to excellence, the GCSAA has developed a vigorous environmental stewardship program. Headed by Greg Lyman, director of environmental programs, the GCSAA has undertaken a monumental, still ongoing effort in documenting American golf in its Environmental Profile study. Through its philanthropic arm, The Environmental Institute for Golf, the GCSAA maintains a high profile in promoting sustainable management practices. EIFG’s advisory council chairman, Greg Norman, has long been an advocate of stewardship and the preservation of natural habitats in the continued development the game and courses around the world.

Another EMS approach to sustainability is the golf course environmental management, or GEM program. Utilized worldwide at more than 50 golf courses by the U.S. Air Force, the GEM program is a continual improvement process based on ISO 14001. Conceived, developed and implemented by yours truly, the GEM program has proven to be a valuable tool as it quantifies the relative stewardship of a course’s management practices through a 100-question, five-category checklist that tracks improvements over time while suggesting sensible practices and procedures for adoption by superintendents. In addition, the GEM program identifies environmental challenges that become the focal point of the ongoing management plan. The “civilian” GEM program is currently in use in Scotland, Hawaii and Texas.

It does not matter which EMS you choose. Just pick one and use it daily. It’s the right thing to do.

Bushman is the director of Ecodesigns International, a golf course management consulting firm. Contact him at ecodesigns@satx.rr.com.