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Presented in partnership with BASF
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This program’s a GEM
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Randolph Oaks GC in San Antonio is one of 46 golf courses affiliated with the U.S. Air Force that have implemented a Golf Course Environmental Management Program. |
Legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi compiled a tremendous career record that included six division titles, five NFL championships, wins in the first two Super Bowls and a career record of 105-35-6, which includes a 9-1 mark in postseason games.
If our goal is to be the best environmental stewards we can be within golf, what might we learn from Lombardi, who for many years successfully led so many people toward one goal — winning it all?
Lombardi is credited with a quote that provides insight into his leadership style: “Leaders aren’t born; they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.”
There are leaders in golf, too; superintendents who understand and take the extra effort to be good environmental stewards. Take, for example, the 46 U.S. Air Force golf courses located in six different countries that are participating in the Air Force’s Golf Course Environmental Management Program (GEM). One such facility located near San Antonio is Randolph Oaks Golf Course, the featured course in this month’s Green Links case study on The Environmental Institute for Golf’s Web site, www.eifg.org.
In the case study, Bill Bushman, the program manager for the GEM program, says, “The GEM program simplifies the task of the golf course manager staying abreast of the maze of environmental issues. Ultimately, the GEM program provides a comprehensive approach to plan improvements for the golf course operation while enhancing the great game of golf for the business and the customer.”
The staff at Randolph Oaks incorporated the GEM program during a project to upgrade its irrigation system and greens. By integrating the environmental program, they were able to perform a comprehensive review of environmental issues and provide for long-term planning.
A key element of the program is that superintendents are able to incorporate into it their existing environmental practices while reviewing environmental issues and establishing new objectives and goals.
“The GEM program allowed us to put our respective environmental practices into an organized system and helps to manage the environmental issues at Randolph Oaks Golf Course,” says Tony Osborn, the Class A superintendent at the facility and an 11-year GCSAA member.
Using their work experience with golf courses, Bushman and his team have developed and refined the ISO 14001 environmental management system specifically for golf courses for almost a decade. “Since the first golf course environmental baseline assessment was compiled in 1999 at Shaw AFB, South Carolina, the GEM program has been continually improved and streamlined to make it easier to implement worldwide,” Osborn says, adding that this program is serving as a model for civilian GEM applications for golf courses outside the Air Force, as well.
Superintendents participating with the Air Force GEM program or the civilian version are making the extra effort that helps define environmental leadership within golf. As superintendents consider their environmental stewardship practices they also can look at similar resources such as the Audubon International program, Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program and the related guidelines or best management practices from Oregon and Florida.
For the past couple of years, you may have heard reports or read articles about biomass, biofuels, ethanol and ways to obtain energy from plants. What should you know about biomass? To find out, Tom Voigt, Ph.D., will present a 60-minute Webcast on Jan. 16 at 10 a.m. to answer basic questions about government goals for United States biomass production, the most appropriate crops for various portions of the U.S., and specific biomass crops. To learn more, contact GCSAA Education, 800-472-7878 (www.gcsaa.org/education/webcast/webcast.aspx). Want to learn more about how to conserve water on your golf course? Jack Fry, Ph.D., professor in the division of horticulture at Kansas State University, presents a GCSAA Webcast titled, “Turf Water Use Basics” on Jan. 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. (CT). The Webcast will offer an overview of water use topics such as absorption, evapotranspiration, drought resistance and calculation of water requirements. Participants will acquire knowledge on how to save water and strategies for maintaining healthier turf with proper water management. For more information, contact GCSAA Education, 800-472-7878 (www.gcsaa.org/education/webcast/webcast.aspx). |
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