"The world is wasting water on a truly colossal scale, according to the United Nations."

/

Sarah Morrison in the Independent shares details from a new United Nations report to be presented at the World Water Forum on the future of water usage. The good news? Golf didn't get mentioned. The bad news? Well, just read the story...

Demand for water is expected to increase by 55 per cent over the next four decades, according to a new study to be presented at the forum in France. Framing the Water Reform Challenge, from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), points out that rapid urbanisation, climate change and the altering global economy are putting growing pressures on water supplies. In around 40 years' time, more than 40 per cent of the world's population – 3.9 billion people – are likely to be living in river areas in the grip of severe "water-stress". The UN warns this could also be felt in parts of Europe, affecting up to 44 million people by 2070.

Feherty At The Golf Industry Show

/
I have another post coming with an overall take on this year's Golf Industry Show (I know, you'll be hitting refresh all weekend in eager anticipation), but in the meantime enjoy GCSAA TV's Fuzz Martin reporting on David Feherty's address. It was the talk of the floor for all of the usual Feherty reasons--ED jokes, a rich assortment of anal humor and a war on Islam remark--and because he was the hit of the show.
Read More

Nice, Fun Muni Faces Closure Because Of Bad Greens!?

/

Thanks to reader Tom for Mark McGregor's disturbing look at the possible demise of Snyder Park, a 1929 muni that Tom says "is 6,300 yds. from the tips" and is "a wonderful old style course and a delightful walk." 

City finances and no direction on how to fix bad greens may cause the city of Springfield, Ohio, to close the place. Perhaps this would be a nice salvation job for the USGA to tap its surplus and the expertise of the Green Section to save a quality place for everyday golf? Oh there I go again.

City Manager Jim Bodenmiller said in a January commission meeting that the city challenged the park district to make Snyder and Reid Park courses self-sufficient. National Trail met that goal in two of three years, but a subsidy was necessary in 2011.

City Finance Director Mark Beckdahl said in the meeting that without the subsidy, the district’s bills and vendors would have gone unpaid.

“We had a rough 2011, there’s no denying that,” Smith said. “It’s tough when you’re dealing with the weather. Not everything you do (to fix turf) works.”

Early estimates to repair the greens range from $15,000 to $20,000. National Trail will know more in a few weeks once a golf turf expert examines the course, determines why conditions deteriorated and how much it will likely cost to restore them.

The city hasn’t decided whether it will pay to redo the greens or if it will instead close the Snyder Park course.