1 / 29

The ‘Links’ Between Golf and the Environment

The ‘Links’ Between Golf and the Environment. Scott Duzan Ens Senior Capstone Project 5-1-05. Overview. Introduction to the system Focus areas: Water usage and management Fertilizer/Pesticide usage and management Wildlife management Eco-friendly practices for golf courses

bernad
Download Presentation

The ‘Links’ Between Golf and the Environment

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The ‘Links’ Between Golf and the Environment Scott Duzan Ens Senior Capstone Project 5-1-05

  2. Overview • Introduction to the system • Focus areas: • Water usage and management • Fertilizer/Pesticide usage and management • Wildlife management • Eco-friendly practices for golf courses • Suggestions and conclusion • Q & A session

  3. Impact of Golf Courses on the Environment Impact of Golf Courses on the Environment • Water usage • Fertilizers and pesticides • Wildlife and biodiversity • Land usage • Traffic and noise • Energy usage • Economic benefits • Visual impact

  4. Golf’s Popularity on the Rise Golf’s Popularity on the Rise • Game gains notoriety: 1970’s • Course construction boom: 1980’s • Popular athletes, golf-related movies are catalysts • Recent USGA report: • $18 billion industry • 24.5 million Americans play golf • 14,500 golf courses (public and private)

  5. Impact of the Environment on Golf Courses Impact of the Environment on Golf Courses • Outdoor experience “No other land based sport has as much human-environment interaction as does the game of golf”Stuart Bloch, former USGA President

  6. Concerns Arise Concerns Arise • Environmental issues become hot topics: 1970’s • Shift: ecologically sound to environmental disaster • Rejection of course construction projects • Fear, mixed feelings among turf industry leaders • USGA takes a stand; intensive research projects 1989-1997

  7. Water Usage Water Usage • Irrigate, Irrigate, Irrigate • Highly visible action • Depleting local water sources • Polluting local water sources • USGA responds

  8. Water Management 1 Water Management 1 • Develop new cultivars: • Require less water • Use brackish water or ocean water • Collaborate with CIT • Improved technology: • Weather, climate stations on site • Irrigation system upgrades • ‘Best Management’ practices

  9. Water Management 2 Water Management 2 • Alternative water sources • Use brackish water or ocean water • Reverse osmosis desalinization plants • Employ principles in course design • Education and awareness • Collaborate with EPA, ACSP, Sierra Club…

  10. Fertilizer/Pesticide Usage Fertilizer/Pesticide Usage • Pressure to have lush, bright green turf • Credited for golf course development • Again, highly visible action • Nutrient/pesticide leaching • Nutrient/pesticide runoff • USGA responds

  11. Fertilizer/Pesticide Research Fertilizer/Pesticide Research • Divided projects among 12 universities • Leaching and runoff impacted by: • Sandy soils and heavy irrigation – increased rates • Younger turf – increased rates • Dense turf and aerated soil – decreased rates • Less dangerous than agricultural fertilizers/pesticides • Risk assessment: exposure to pesticides is low

  12. Fertilizer/Pesticide Management • Follow manufacturer’s directions: • Apply at proper time of year • Apply recommended amount • Use slow-release fertilizers/pesticides • Increase frequency, decrease dosage • Develop more accurate mathematical models • Employ integrated pest management (IPM): • Structured monitoring

  13. Wildlife Management Concerns Wildlife Management Concerns • Negative image in media • Habitat fragmentation, loss, modification • Introduction of non-native species

  14. Wildlife Management 1 Wildlife Management 1 • USGA claims: • Golf courses = attractive habitat • High biodiversity • High density of earthworms; indicator species • Courses control local pest populations • USGA makes efforts to protect wildlife: • Protect sensitive, endangered species • Use native plant species when possible • Use biological, non-chemical controls for pests

  15. Wildlife Management 2 Wildlife Management 2 • Burrowing Owl study: • Endangered species • Suited to golf course ‘habitat’ • Low cost, low maintenance artificial habitat • Owls provide pest management, charisma

  16. Wildlife Management 2 Wildlife Management 3 • England biodiversity studies: • Courses do have increased biodiversity • Older courses usually provide more habitat • Patch dynamics, metapopulation considerations

  17. Eco-friendly Practices 1 Eco-Friendly Practices 1 • What does eco-friendly mean for golf courses? • Course construction • Site selection • Turf management • Water usage and management • Pesticide/Fertilizer usage and management • Wildlife management • Golf courses not inherently good or bad

  18. Eco-friendly Practices 2 Eco-friendly Practices 2 • Environmental consulting firms join the fray • Services provided • Rating systems • Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program: • Low cost • Complete evaluation • Certification in seven areas • Lists of eco-friendly golf courses • Golfers willing to pay more for certified courses • Extensive economic study

  19. Green Fees

  20. Course Location

  21. Results • Golf courses are substitutes for open space • More or less guaranteed • Most courses use peak-load pricing • Avg. Green Fees • Non-certified course: $54.16 • Env. planning certified course: $71.04 • Env. planning plus certified course: $72.18 • Audubon Sanctuary course: $87.25 • Audubon S. Signature course: $87.95

  22. Eco-friendly Practices 3 Eco-friendly Practices 3 • Pros get involved • Course design • Education and awareness • Eco-friendly golf supplies • Biodegradable balls, tees • Price vs. Performance

  23. Permaculture Ideas Permaculture Ideas • Permaculture = permanance + culture • Zone and sector planning: • Planning tools for best relative location • Seek energy efficiency • Zones: • Many elements support each function • Multiple functions for each element • Sectors: • Observe first, design second

  24. Suggestions Suggestions 1 • Continue fertilizer/pesticide research • Examine new grass cultivars effectiveness • Integrate accepted ecological principles with golf courses • Advertise ACSP • Improve education; more publications • Get more pros and course designers involved

  25. Suggestions Suggestions 2 • Conduct environmental impact surveys • Make small-scale changes • Recycle whenever possible • Compost grass clippings • Carefully consider site selection process • Utilize what nature has provided

  26. Conclusion • Quasi-promising future: • Certified eco-friendly courses on the rise • Golfers willing to pay a premium • Many ecological questions still to be answered

More Related