LAWRENCE, Kan. – With potential drought issues affecting much of the nation, turfgrass management professionals are focusing more on water conservation, irrigation technology and trends in water usage. A recent survey conducted by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) reveals some water usage trends among golf course superintendents. Survey respondents noted that they are conserving more water than they did 10 years ago due to better grass selections and irrigation technology.
The GCSAA’s 2000 Leadership Survey, conducted at GCSAA’s 71st International Golf Course Conference and Show, probed 1,800 golf course superintendents on a variety of issues pertaining to turf management, golf course management and the industry. Results showed that these managers are working to protect water reserves by watering more with less.
The results revealed that 40 percent of superintendents are using less water on their golf courses today than they were 10 years ago. Of those using less water, 46 percent are using 11-20 percent less water and 32 percent said they are using between 20-50 percent less water than a decade ago.
Sixteen percent of the superintendents said they are using the same amount of water as 10 years ago while only 33 percent answered they were using more water. Interestingly, five out of six superintendents (83 percent) said they are applying water to the same or greater area of their course than they were a decade ago. More than half (55 percent) categorized the larger area by describing it as either "somewhat larger" or "much larger."
"Today, we are much more well educated and well equipped on water management issues," said GCSAA President R. Scott Woodhead, CGCS. "Better grass selections for respective climates and computer monitored irrigation systems have been tremendous advances. Compared to other businesses, and most certainly homeowners, golf courses are among the most efficient users of water."
Environmental Data
Product use (pesticides, fungicides, fertilizer, etc.) on the golf course is divided evenly on both ends of the spectrum. The results revealed that 36 percent of superintendents are using fewer products than they were 10 years ago and, in some cases, they are using up to one-third less. However, 35 percent said they’re using more products, while 23 percent said they’re using about the same amount of product as a decade ago.
Although clear advancements have been made in water usage and irrigation, superintendents continue to fear the lack of it – drought. When asked what environmental or weather-related condition could negatively impact their course next year, 50 percent said drought was what they are most concerned about. Course overcrowding and restrictions on pesticide usage (both 12 percent) were the second most common concerns.
With drought as their biggest threat, superintendents said fighting it is one of their toughest challenges. Forty-five percent of the superintendents said negative public perception is the biggest challenge in battling drought to maintain playable conditions. They also said it is difficult to battle drought on an overcrowded course (21 percent) and that state-imposed water restrictions (18 percent) create their own operational challenges during drought.
Technology
The GCSAA survey also revealed that golf course superintendents have embraced the Internet as a means of communication and education for the industry. Of the respondents, 94 percent said that they have Internet access either at their course or at home. Personal communication (46 percent) and obtaining industry information (44 percent) were the top two reasons for using the Internet. Very few (4 percent) use the Internet for either business-to-business or personal e-commerce.
Golf Course Management
As superintendents are an integral part of golf course management, they are witnessing and enjoying record numbers of golfers on their courses each year. However, 95 percent of superintendents said the increase of the golf season is creating unrealistic expectations for maintaining playable golf courses through all four seasons.
When asked what could improve efficiency in course operations, superintendents responded with more diverse responses. The majority of respondents (37 percent) said that within the next five years, they expect improved varieties of turfgrass to have the biggest impact. Close to one-third (34 percent) said that better skilled superintendents will be able to have an impact on improved efficiency. Other responses include improved irrigation technology (11 percent), increased use of sub-contract labor companies (5 percent) and improved mower technology (5 percent).
Looking ahead, superintendents are identifying future challenges in improving course conditions. Within the next five years, the majority (32 percent) of superintendents see a decreased labor pool as their biggest challenge. Other concerns include an increase in operating costs (25 percent) and increases in environmental regulations (23 percent).