by
Jeff Jensen
| Mar 09, 2020
Cactus & Pine GCSA, San Diego GCSA latest chapters to host facility adoption sessions
With the Fall 2019 completion of state BMP guides in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada, chapters in the region have moved onto the next step in the BMP process, hosting facility adoption events.
In addition to the August 2019 session hosted by the three Northern California chapters (Central, Nor Cal, Sierra) and the October 2019 session hosted by the GCSA of Southern California, the Cactus & Pine GCSA and San Diego GCSA hosted sessions in February.
The sessions, headed by GCSAA associate director of environmental programs Mark Johnson and Southwest field staff representative Jeff Jensen focused on four main areas: The importance of BMPs, how to access and use the online template, internal review of one chapter and the use of the BMPs in a practical setting.
40 superintendents in Arizona and nearly 50 in San Diego learned the process behind the creation of the online template, how it can benefit their facility in terms of risk management, increase bottom-line revenue and improve facility perception and recognition through community outreach.
A deep dive into the tool was also included focusing on how to make edits to the online template to make it more specific to each individual facility’s unique needs. Additionally, participants learned how to customize their cover, insert photos, delete/add sections and publish the document.
The San Diego session featured guest speakers Jim Baird, Ph.D, from the University of California Riverside and the staff of Hunter Irrigation. Baird conducted an in-depth look at the Integrated Pest Management section and the staff of Hunter focused on the Irrigation section including an actual water audit in the field.
To finish each session, a focus was placed on how to use the published guide for outreach and advocacy activities at not only their golf facilities, but in the local community as well as their respective state legislatures.
The next adoption event will be hosted by the Hi-Lo Desert GCSA and is scheduled for March 26 at Indian Wells Resort in Indian Wells, Calif. A session is also scheduled for April 20 in Sacramento, Calif.
Webinars in various lengths are also available and are a great option for introducing the tools at chapter meetings as well as multi-course management company regional and national meetings.
If you are interested in hosting a session or have questions regarding facility adoption of the BMP guides, please contact Jeff Jensen at jjensen@gcsaa.org.