Golf course superintendents lead the development of statewide best management practices with a grant from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America

Lawrence, Kan. (Feb. 9, 2021) – A collaborative effort by golf course superintendents in Texas from one statewide and regional affiliated chapters of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has resulted in the publication of “Texas Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide”.

The effort was part of an initiative by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) to establish BMPs in all 50 states by the end of 2020, which has been accomplished. The BMPs provide guidance in 13 key areas including wildlife habitat, water quality protection, irrigation and pollinator protection.

Cody Spivey, director of agronomy at High Meadow Ranch Golf Club in Magnolia, Texas, served as chairman of the BMP steering committee.

“There are more than 900 golf courses in the state, contributing over 98,000 jobs and $7.4 billion to the economy,” Spivey said. “We hope that this BMP guide will help demonstrate the Texas golf industry’s leadership and commitment toward providing valuable ecosystem services, quality playing conditions, jobs, and economic impact for our State."

The Texas BMPs were developed in part by using the BMP Planning Guide and Template created by the GCSAA and funded and supported by the USGA. The GCSAA-affiliated chapters involved in the effort include the statewide Lonestar Golf Course Superintendents Association, and the five regional chapters it encompasses, Central Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association, North Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association, South Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association, Texas Gulf Coast Superintendents Association and South Texas Golf Course Superintendents Association.

The group received a $10,000 BMP grant that GCSAA funded through the association’s Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) in part by the PGA Tour. The BMP grant program provides funding through the EIFG to chapters for developing new guides, updating existing guides or for verification programs.

In addition to Spivey, others who served on the Texas BMP Steering Committee in collaboration with Radius Sports Group, a sustainability consulting firm, include Becky Grubbs Bowling, Ph.D., assistant professor and Extension specialist for Urban Water, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, The Dallas Center, Texas A&M AgriLife; Michael L. Epps, superintendent at Mira Vista Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas; Kevin R. Girt, superintendent at Northshore Country Club in Portland, Texas; Kenneth A. Gorzycki, CGCS, director of agronomy at Horseshoe (Texas) Bay Resort; Chrissie A. Segars, Ph.D., assistant professor and Extension turfgrass specialist, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, The Dallas Center, Texas A&M AgriLife; James Stow, golf course maintenance director, Ross Rogers and Comanche Trail Golf Complexes in Amarillo, Texas; John Walker, GCSAA South Central regional field representative; Anthony L. Williams, CGCS, CGM, director of golf and landscape operations, TPC Four Seasons in Irving, Texas; and Joey Young, Ph.D., associate professor of turfgrass science, Department of Plant and Soil Science, Texas Tech University

To read “Texas Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide” and to learn more about GCSAA’s BMP program, visit www.gcsaa.org/bmp.