The Georgia GCSA Annual Meeting is a key event for turf professionals, offering education, networking and industry updates, with the recent event being hosted at the King and Prince Resort in St. Simons Island, Georgia, Dec. 8-10. GCSAA’s Chava McKeel, director of government affairs, and Josh Tapp, director of environmental programs, were on hand to provide a government affairs and BMPs update.

McKeel discussed many environmental topics including the EPA’s work to comply with the Endangered Species Act and the current open comment period on the “Waters of the United States” rulemaking at EPA. Members can learn more about ESA compliance in the Advocacy section of the website.

Tapp talked about the importance of creating a BMP facility manual to support advocacy efforts. He showcased the new BMP tool that easily allows a member to create a BMP facility manual from the BMP state manual. All GCSAA members are encouraged to create a BMP facility manual this year.

Staff were on hand to help celebrate former Georgia GCSA Executive Director Tenia Workman being inducted into the Georgia GCSA Golf Hall of Fame. Workman was instrumental in supporting Georgia advocacy efforts for years including working out a compromise with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division on water conservation plans for golf during times of drought.