Earlier this week, golf course superintendents in the White River basin in central Indiana were invited to attend a Major Water Users Forum at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Ind. Stemming from the Indiana Water Summit, the forum, which is hosted by the White River Alliance, is one of three major forums which allows for regional collaboration in the White River basin. From the White River Alliance, the goal of the forums are to:

Increase our collective understanding of statewide water resources, learn from national experts and other communities, and find the best ways to protect our water assets.

Along with golf courses (included in the irrigation industry), other industries were invited including utilities, public supply, energy, mining, manufacturing, food & beverage and rural users.

Other key contributors to the forum included the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the Indiana Finance Authority. These two groups discussed water use trends in the region, future water use projections, and some of the existing water regulations in the state.

 

The forum also allowed me the opportunity to present to the group on golf course water use trends and conservation practices. Utilizing the Environmental Institute for Golf Environmental Profile Surveys, we were able to use the comprehensive data on golf course water use trends over the past 10+ years. During this time frame we have found that golf course water use has decreased by 22% across the United States. This decrease in water use is due to a number of conservation efforts from golf course superintendents including, but not limited to:

• Decreasing acreage of irrigated turf on the property
• Using wetting agents
• Keeping turf drier than in the past
• Utilizing evapotranspiration measurements
• Using hand-held and in-ground moisture meters
• Using recycled water

The forum gave myself, Broadmoor Country Club superintendent and 15-year GCSAA member Chris Groene, as well as Bear Slide Golf Club superintendent Chris Thuer, CGCS, a 26-year GCSAA member, an opportunity to educate those in attendance on the water conservation practices golf course superintendents employ. Their involvement was crucial. Both gentlemen were able to draw on past experiences and discuss water conservation efforts they implement at their facilities. I can’t thank Chris and Chris enough for taking the time to represent GCSAA members in the area at this important event.

Golf courses play an important role in the community and golf course superintendents are constantly going above and beyond to ensure environmental compliance. Water conservation is just one example of this environmental stewardship and working collaboratively with area communities is a benefit for all involved.