Golf Inc - March/April 2009 - (Page 45) environment golfers and the non-golfing public. Strong support from high-profile backers such as Greg Norman, who serves as the EIFG advisory council chairman, and groups like the PGA of America, GCSAA and U.S. Golf Association has helped make the EIFG a major player in the push to help golf courses become more environmentally friendly. That support has helped the organization gain traction both inside and outside the golf industry. “It has given us momentum,” said Greg Lyman, director of environmental programs for the GCSAA. “Having support from people like Greg Norman has allowed us to send our message to places that would be difficult to reach by ourselves,” he said. Lyman said that the organization is working to develop additional tools and programs for the industry that will drive environmental sustainability. “Ultimately I want golf courses to be regarded as environmental stewards and leaders within our community,” Lyman said. “We all know the golf business to be long-term, sustainable businesses. I would like all citizens as part of their everyday knowledge to know that.” One of its key projects is working with the GCSAA to prepare the Golf Course Environmental Profile, a series of surveys that assess the status of golf ’s environmental efforts and evaluate the current maintenance conditions on golf courses. Results of the second part of the fivestage survey were released last month, an assessment of water usage at golf courses. The future surveys will look at how courses use nutrients, pesticides and energy. The first phase examined golf course land usage patterns. “We will use these reports to assess objectives for the industry and work with industry partners to put together programs and incentives to help make progress,” Lyman said. “The beauty is we then can go back and measure our progress.” Key findings of the water usage report included: • Golf course irrigation between 2003 and 2005 accounted for about 0.5 percent of total annual water use in the U.S. and about 1.5 percent of total agricultural use. • Most golf facilities have more than one source for irrigation: 52 percent use water from ponds or lakes, 46 percent have on-site wells and 17 percent from rivers, streams or creeks. Only 12 percent use recycled water for irrigation. • Annual irrigation water costs were highest in the Southwest region: $107,800 per year for an average 18-hole course. Lowest was in the North Central region, where courses paid just $4,700. • The most common method of conserving water is the application of wetting agents (at 92 percent of courses). Next were hand watering (78 percent) and keeping turfgrass dryer (69 percent). Gone green Golf companies increasingly are turning to green-friendly products in an effort to take advantage of the interest in environmental sustainability. Among some of the newest offerings: Advanced Sensor Technology Inc. recently introduced the UgMO wireless underground soil monitoring system. Officials said the system provides real-time data on the soil’s temperature, moisture and salinity. The UgMO’s software tells users how to improve soil conditions, reducing the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides. The Micro Hydroelectric Generator (MHG) electric power supply system from John Deere is designed as an alternative to utility-metered power and solar power. It produces electricity from water flowing through pipes, yielding enough energy to power a complete irrigation controller system, including a central system and its valves, sensors and communication equipment. The latest additions to the Imperial Headwear line of green-friendly products are the ReSpun line of caps and visors. The light-weight headgear is made of recycled man-made, plastic-based materials such as soda bottles and polyester fiber. Axion International Holdings has launched a golf division, Axion Golf, that makes vehicle and pedestrian bridges, walkways and landscaping features that utilize materials made from recycled plastic. The company says the products are toxin-free and don’t require painting or staining. March/April 2009 www.GolfIncMagazine.com 45 http://www.GolfIncMagazine.com
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