Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008 - (Page 17)

Water usage in the Inland region and throughout the Southland is nearing a crisis and like it or not we will have to conserve. However, there is something everyone can do to ensure that this precious life giving resource is not wasted by misuse. I t’s been several years since I spent five days with Western Municipal Water District representatives touring the Colorado Aqueduct from Parker Dam to Diamond Valley Lake with an additional trip to the Sacramento Delta Region. Aside from being awed at the magnificent engineering marvel the projects entailed, I gained a far greater appreciation of California’s complex water delivery system. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the sponsoring agency of the inspection trips, is a consortium of 26 cities and water districts providing water to nearly 18 million people. MWD delivers an average of 1.7 billion gallons of water per day to a 5,200 square mile service area. Seven states draw on the waters of the Colorado River, showcased brilliantly in Mark Reisner’s 1986 novel “Cadillac Desert.” The Colorado River alone is insufficient to quench the Inland Empire’s thirst and requires augmentation from Northern California waters. Recent action has resulted in a court order to protect an endangered species, the Delta Smelt, and to reduce water flow from the delta by 30 per cent. I grew up in southern California and spent many weekends in the parched desert landscape of La Quinta before there were paved roads, sidewalks and curbs. I viewed firsthand the magic of adding water to the landscape and creating an oasis. Driving through the region today one may wonder what California’s water situation has on our homes, businesses and on the economy. The Golf Course Superintendents Association of Southern California take the matter of water conservation very seriously. It’s a question of profit and loss to their bottomline that is limited only by the sound practices of Economics 101. My inquiries with several stakeholders involved in the operation and management of golf courses showcase a diverse group united in water conservation practices not only affecting the bottomline, but also taking the case of resource stewardship and best business practices to an impressive level. It didn’t take me long to realize that the USGA, its affiliates and the Golf Superintendents were serious stewards of our region’s water resources. I invite you to take a diverse journey along California’s complex waterway to get to know some of the Inland Empire’s experts and advocates in water resource management. www.inlandempiregolfer.com INLAND EMPIRE GOLFER March 2008 17 http://www.inlandempiregolfer.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008

Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008 Contents Cover Story: Shenzhen China & The Inland Empire The Looming Water Shortage Artificial Turf Demand Grows Leisure Living Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Mechanics Of The Bunker Shot The Proper Golf Swing Motion Callaway Squareways What's New? How Well Do You Know The Rules? Golf Course Reviews IE Golf Course Directory

Inland Empire Golfer - March 2008

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