2 USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online Volume 11, Number 12. December 2012 Proceedings From Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game PRESENTED BY THE Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center Dallas, Texas November 6 and 7, 2012 Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game brought together experts from government, business, academia and golf to identify and discuss the most challenging issues regarding golf’s use of water. With communities continually working to provide sufficient quantities of safe drinking water, it is understandable that water use for recreational purposes is heavily scrutinized. While golf courses contribute to communities by provide green space, positive economic impact and recreation for those who play the game, it also is true that golf course irrigation is a necessary component of their management. It is the responsibility of golf’s leadership to ensure that our most valuable natural resource is used in the most forward -thinking, responsible manner. Meeting Organized by Jim Moore Kimberly Erusha Kay Moore Proceedings Edited by Ali Harivandi Paul Brown Mike Kenna ©2012 by United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game Please see Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section TGIF Record Number 214431 Publications. Suscribe to the USGA Green Section Record. Proceedings From “Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game” Dallas, Texas November 2012 ©2012 by United States Golf Association All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America By USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online Volume 11, Number 12. December 2012. ISSN 1541-0277 ©2012 by United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game Please see Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section TGIF Record Number 214431 Publications. Suscribe to the USGA Green Section Record. Contents Welcome Mike Davis, Executive Director ............................................................................................................. 1 Welcoming Remarks Glen Nager, President, USGA ............................................................................................................. 2 Federal Perspectives on Water and Golf Veronica Blette, Chief, WaterSense Branch, USEPA ........................................................................... 5 A National Perspective on Water Issues Mary Ann Dickinson, President and CEO, Alliance for Water Efficiency ........................................... 8 Starting with an Open Hand: Working with Regulators and Legislators Mark Esoda, CGCS, Atlanta Country Club, Georgia ......................................................................... 12 How Much Water Does Golf Use and Where Does It Come From? Greg Lyman, Environmental Programs Director, GCSAA ................................................................. 14 Lean and Green: Water Efficiency in the Las Vegas Golf Industry Doug Bennett, Conservation Manager, Southern Nevada Water Authority .................................. 16 Maintenance Up the Middle: Great Golf and Water Conservation are Not Mutually Exclusive Chris Hartwiger, Senior Agronomist, USGA Green Section .............................................................. 21 Case Studies in Water Use Efficiency in California Pat Gross, Southwest Director, USGA Green Section ....................................................................... 25 Irrigation Puzzle: Sourcing Water for Golf Courses Dr. Ali Harivandi, Environmental Horticulturist, University of California Cooperative Extension ................................................................................ 29 Research Accomplishments to Meet the Present and Future Water Use Needs of Golf Dr. Mike Kenna, Director, USGA Green Section Research ............................................................... 32 Irrigating With a Toxin Tim Hiers, Golf Course Superintendent, Old Colliers Golf Club, Florida .......................................... 38 Strategies to Reduce Water Use: Case Studies from the Southwestern United States Brian Whitlark, Agronomist, USGA Green Section ........................................................................... 41 Water Impact on Golf Development and Operations Henry DeLozier, Global Golf Advisors Jim Hinckley, Century Golf .................................................................................................................. 45 Making Hard Decisions about Hard Times: Benefits of Proactive Drought Planning Karen Guz, Conservation Director, San Antonio Water System ....................................................... 49 Shifting Watering Decisions from Art to Science Dana Lonn, PE, Managing Director, Center for Technology, The Toro Company .......................... 52 Uncovering the Past to Find Our Future Bob Farren, Director, Grounds and Golf Course Management Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina ....................................................................................................... 56 Designing Golf Courses for Water Conservation Bill Love, Golf Course Architect ........................................................................................................... 58 APPENDIX Agenda ..................................................................................................................................................................... 63 Speaker Information .............................................................................................................................................. 65 ABOUT THE USGA The USGA conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open and U.S. Senior Open, as well as 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships and international matches. Together with The R&A, the USGA gov- erns the game worldwide, jointly administering the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, equipment standards, and World Amateur Golf Rankings. The USGA's working jurisdiction comprises the United States, its territories, and Mexico. The USGA is a global leader in the development and support of sustainable golf course management practices. It serves as a primary steward for the game’s history, and funds an ongoing “For the Good of the Game” grants pro- gram. Additionally, the USGA’s Course Rating and Handicap systems are used on six continents in more than 50 countries. OUR MISSION Who We Are Golf’s governing body that is passionate about, dedicated to and expert in the game of golf. Who We Serve Everyone who loves and respects the game of golf. Our promise based on a shared love and respect for golf, we preserve its past, foster its future and champion its best interests for everyone who enjoys the game. USGA'S ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT The USGA will work to make the game more sustainable through research, education, and a commitment to protecting the environment. Golf, perhaps more than any other sport, is To realize our commitment to the environment, the dependent upon a healthy environment. As USGA will: the national governing body for golf in the Develop a comprehensive environmental United States, the USGA recognizes the management plan for the Association that proactively importance of taking proactive steps to promotes awareness and protection of the environment. minimize our environmental footprint and Train and educate staff to consider and incorporate integrate environmental considerations into environmentally-sound principles and practices into daily all aspects of our activities. business decisions and operations. Embrace environmentally responsible technology that it is To further our priority as a responsible citizen, fiscally sound. the USGA will continue a rigorous evaluation Conduct championships in an environmentally- of our consumption of natural resources and responsible manner given the distinct and local challenges energy use, the integration of new of each event. technologies, and changes in behavior. Measure environmental responsibility with the goal of Decisions concerning environmentally- continuous improvement. responsible practices must be economically Continue to support turfgrass and environmental research sound and maintain a healthy balance and focus research efforts on pesticide and nutrient fate, between established management systems protection of water quality, and water conservation. and environmental sustainability. race Promote and encourage environmental responsibility environmentally responsible technology that it is among golfers, Member Clubs, allied associations, and fiscally sound. vendors through education and support. ©2012 by United States Golf Association. All rights reserved. Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game Please see Policies for the Reuse of USGA Green Section USGA Turfgrass and Environmental Research Online Publications. Suscribe to the USGA Green Section Record. Volume 11, Number 12. December 2012 1 Welcoming Remarks Glen D. Nager, USGA President Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center Dallas, Texas November 6, 2012 On behalf of the USGA, it is a pleasure to welcome you to this summit on the use and management of water in golf. We have gathered experts from various industries to present their thoughts about water, a subject that will gain in importance and urgency around the world in the years to come, not just for golf but for all of humanity. The management of water already has come under intense scrutiny, when wide swaths of