The judicious use of water continues to take on greater importance, and golf course architects use their experience in landscape architecture and land planning to help golf course decision-makers understand the options they have for conserving and protecting water resources. Members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) are leading the way in this important environmental field.

“Every golf course should have a long-range plan for water use and conservation,” said ASGCA President Erik Larsen. “The cost of water and the electricity to pump it is expensive. It is our responsibility as professionals in the golf industry to be good stewards of natural resources.”

The environmental benefits proper water use provides to a golf course and community is one aspect of the overall Value of the Golf Course, which also promotes the positive economic and social benefits of golf courses.

ASGCA members have the experience to preserve the strategy and natural beauty of a layout while developing creative ways to conserve water. “Many ASGCA members conduct environmental audits for their clients to help them reduce the amount of managed turfgrass on site. In many cases, courses are converting to drought-tolerant turfgrass varieties or incorporating ‘unmaintained areas’ in the golf course which help reduce water usage,” Larsen said.

While only a small portion of golf courses in North America use municipal water sources, golf course owners and other decision-makers recognize the need to be good stewards of a precious resource. That’s why more golf courses are using recycled water and adding detailed water plans to the long-range master plans for improvement many ASGCA members create for their clients.

Free publications – including “Golf and Water – How the Game is Working for the Environment” and “Golf Course Turfgrass Reduction: Environmentally and Stategically Sustainable” – are available from ASGCA here.

ASGCA Background 

Founded in 1946 by 14 leading architects, the American Society of Golf Course Architects is a non-profit organization comprised of experienced golf course designers located throughout the United States and Canada. Members have completed a rigorous two-year long application process that includes the peer review of four representative golf courses. ASGCA members are experienced golf course architects, able to counsel in all aspects of golf course design and remodeling and comprise many of the great talents throughout the golf industry.

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