GCSAA conducts national water use survey.

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) has conducted a first of its kind nationwide survey to measure water use and conservation.

The survey is part of a multi-year project being undertaken by GCSAA that will evaluate environmental performance on golf courses. The Golf Course Environmental Profile project is designed to collect information that will allow golf course superintendents and other facility personnel to become better managers, help facilities operate more efficiently, and lead to GCSAA developing more valuable programs and services. Such information will include details about playing surfaces, natural resources, environmental stewardship efforts, and maintenance practices on the golf course. It is being funded by The Environmental Institute for Golf with the additional help of a grant from The Toro Foundation.

The first survey was conducted earlier this spring when GCSAA queried both member and non-member superintendents regarding the physical characteristics of their golf courses. This second survey, measuring water use and conservation, was conducted Oct. 9 to Nov. 20 of this year.

"This project is important because the information will aid the environmental performance of golf courses," said GCSAA director of research Clark Throssell, Ph.D. "The data from the first survey are still being analyzed, but I am encouraged by the quality of the information we have received. The participation rate for the first survey was very strong and we expect even more facilities to complete the water survey and future surveys. The data gained from this project will provide valuable information for the entire golf industry."

The project involves a series of surveys that will collect information on the physical features found on a golf course as well as data on water use, water quality, wildlife and habitat management, energy use, and nutrient and pesticide use. The project will be repeated to measure change over time.