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The Environmental Institute for Golf: 50 years of innovation and advancement
In 1955, a modest $200 scholarship awarded to promising young turfgrass student John West set the newly established GCSAA Scholarship and Research Fund on the path to providing more substantial scholarships for turfgrass students and funds for research to improve golf’s playing conditions.
Fifty years later, that humble start has evolved into GCSAA’s Environmental Institute for Golf, which funds more than $1 million annually in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.
The Institute is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening golf’s compatibility with the natural environment. Generous support from individuals, organizations and corporations has allowed The Institute to fund programs and projects leading to well-managed golf courses that enhance the environmental, recreational and economic life of their communities.
Scientific and technological advancements have changed golf dramatically over the last 50 years. The golf course management industry, through the work of GCSAA’s Scholarship and Research Fund (from 1955-1994), its Foundation (from 1995-2002) and now The Environmental Institute for Golf, has helped pioneer many advances in the way golf courses are managed and has helped bring environmental stewardship to the preeminent position it has today. These advances include:
- Nearly 60 scientific research projects funded by The Institute that have provided innovative best management practices.
- A continuing industry education curriculum that has allowed superintendents to manage golf facilities in an environmentally friendly manner.
- Information tools and resources that have continually advanced environmental stewardship practices.
- More than 1,300 scholarships awarded to advance students’ knowledge of golf course management.
A collaborative present
Collaboration continues to be vital to The Institute’s success. In the past two years, more than 100 volunteers representing environmental, regulatory and golf organizations have invested their energy and expertise in developing a roadmap for The Institute. These participants helped identify the following as the most important environmental issues facing the golf industry:
- Water management
- Integrated plant management
- Wildlife and habitat management
- Golf course siting, design andconstruction
- Energy and waste management
The future begins now
The Institute is directing donor funding to support development of essential solutions within these five areas of focus, including a new Web-based tool, The EDGE, to provide information related to golf and the environment. Introduced at February’s Golf Industry Show and made possible in part through a partnership grant with The Toro Foundation, The EDGE is designed for superintendents, environmentalists, regulators, golf course owners, golfers and nongolfers seeking information on environmental issues related to golf facilities. Its first phase includes:
- Cataloging existing best management practices for the five areas of focus. Future additions will include case studies, success stories, research and education related to the focus areas.
- A 2005 natural resources survey to collect data on surface water (wetlands, ponds, lakes, streams and rivers), forested areas, buffer zones, low-maintenance areas and wildlife habitats available on golfproperties. Future efforts will include the collection of environmental stewardship practices such as IPM strategies, water conservation practices, groundwater protection devices, proper pesticide/fertilizer handling, equipment washing practices, use of organic materials and composting practices. Data from these surveys will establish a baseline from which to establish targets and demonstrate measurable progress. The data also will identify areas needing additional information, research, education and resources.
Other highlights include continued funding of 24 agronomic and environmental research projects to provide superintendents and golf facilities with the latest information to produce high-quality playing conditions in a manner compatible with the environment. Two key projects this year are:
- Development of a tool to identify key environmental traits of pesticides, allowing superintendents to make more informed decisions on product use.
- A review of the impact of golf courses on water quality.
In addition, The Institute’s focus on advancing new and existing GCSAA education programs will continue by integrating key environmental content into the curriculum. The webcast education series that launched in 2004 with 12 programs expands to 36 this year and will feature new topics, such as conducting an environmental assessment of a golf property and innovative recycling techniques. The webcast series is part of the e-learning program funded through a grant from Syngenta Professional Products.
Other Institute support and outreach include:
- Continued funding of nearly 50 scholarships to support students pursuing a career in golf course management/green industry, as well as higher education in general.
- Development and implementation of an outreach program to communicate consistent and targeted messages about golf’s positive impact on the environment. The program will highlight the environmental advancements within golf thus far, as well as the continuing work to ensure golf’s long-term compatibility with theenvironment.
A continuing commitment
Plenty has changed in 50 years, from styles to music to technology, and change has been the watchword in the way the game of golf is played and how its playing fields are managed. What hasn’t changed is the thoughtfulness and consideration of generous individuals, organizations and corporations who care deeply about the game. Their gifts are solely responsible for five decades of innovation and advancements, led by The Institute.
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