USGA Kicks Off Water Summit For Absentee Voters

Great to see the USGA convening a summit to discuss water management and arguably the most important issue facing the game in America. But on election day?

Hunki Yun with the gory details and there is also this list of guest speakers.

Titled “Golf’s Use of Water: Solutions for a More Sustainable Game,” the summit will feature 20 speakers from both within the golf world and from other industries that impact course maintenance practices.

“With events like this summit, the USGA is taking substantive steps to move the golf industry toward a healthier, sustainable future,” said USGA President Glen Nager. “We understand that water management and sustainability are long-term issues, and the path forward won’t be easy.

“I hope that years from now, we can look back at this gathering as a significant milestone on the path toward a more sustainable game.”

Comments

[ol Harv]

I believe these type summits are good if the information that comes from them is getting into the hands of the right people. It does no good if they keep this information to themselves and don't educate greens chairmans, superintendents, club presidents, GM's, and even the everyday golfer. The days of saturation are over. We have to become more accepting of a little bit browner conditions and understanding that it's not a bad thing. Most golfers, not everyone, will accept less if the alternative is explained as far as cost and sustainability.

[greg c]

They should have been doing this years ago.

ol Harv, I wish you were right...but the first thing Joe Golfer says when he sees a little brown on the course is "why is it dead." Even with education, most golfers just don't get it.

[KLG]

Had a conversation with our GM, who has been a PGA professional for 30 years, this weekend on the condition of the course. It is time for the Bermuda to quit growing, but we had a dry October. The course is tan all over and in the best shape I have ever seen it, fairways, greens, tees. The ponds are full enough, so they could be watering but aren't. Has it finally dawned on the complainers who see dead instead of healthy grass that 25-30 extra yards of roll off the tee is a good thing for them? That hard and fast beats soft, green, and mushy? And saves money? One can hope.

[Stanley Thompson]

There's a huge difference between dead and dormant.

[Jim Beckner]

I've got a good idea. Why don't we take control of the ball, max drive of say 270 yards, no more 197 yard 8-irons, courses of 6600 yards (wasn't that what Merion was when Hogan hit the great shot?), maybe some few courses up to 7000 yards, then we don't need all the water we use today. I just played a course on the RTJ Trail in Alabama. A very nice 8000+ yard course. There were two of them - each over 8000 yards. That requires a lot of water. Sorry the USGA didn't address the ball issue years ago.

And yes, certainly we need to use less water - because all golf courses don't need to be like Augusta National. Rough can rough, etc.

jb

[ol Harv]

KLG, You may be familiar with this in your area but there is a semi- USGA initiative called "maintenance down the middle" which makes lots of sense which basically says concentrate on greens-tees-fairways. Rough should be more of the native grasses that does not need to be fertilized and irrigated and cut as much. Was recently at a similar type summit and it is amazing that as far back as the 70's these things were being addressed by golf leaders but still nothing done. Reminds me of the oil problem now. If things begin to get better we tend to put these issues on the back burner. Again, I think many golfers, if educated, will be more accepting of a little less green.

[PABoy]

Ironic raise the height of cut if you want to cut wate use