Golf Course Water
Conservation in Minnesota
May 15, 2015
21st Century Issues- Chanhassen High School
Joseph Benson
I. Introduction
As the demand for freshwater rises across the Earth it is essential to study how we use
freshwater, especially the water being used for recreational purposes. Golf Courses are one of the most
prominent recreational water users in the world using about 2.5 billion gallons of water every day,
globaly (World Watch Institute). In the United States one-two-hundredth of the 408 billion gallons used
daily are used on golf courses (USGA). Drought, water rationing, and the insecure future of clean water
threaten the high standards of courses globally. All interviewed superintendents cited minimizing water
use as an area of highest priority due to the costs associated with pumping water and the environmental
effects of irrigation. In order to protect the future of golf and the conditions players expect
superintendents must learn to be more resourceful with their resources.
II. Executive Summary
Golf Course Water Conservation in Minnesota aims to educate superintendents of the current
water situation in the area and ways they can reduce their water consumption in creative, cost effect,
and simple ways. It suggests that all superintendents closely analyze the way they use their water and
where they can reduce use. In addition, a combination of effective ways to save water that can have a
large impact on the water needed to maintain a golf courses condition.
The driving question of my research was " What are the best ways to save water on golf courses
without dramatically effecting playing conditions?”. I answered this question with archival research and
a series of interviews I conducted with local golf course superintendents. My research concluded with a
job shadowing session with Duane Slaughter, head golf course superintendent at Stonebrooke Golf Club
in Shakopee, Minnesota.
Golf Course Water Conservation in Minnesota starts with a description of the current golf
course irrigation tendencies in Minnesota and the statistics regarding the current use of water saving
strategies. Currently, golf courses use an extraordinary amount of water, efficient use of water is crucial
to the future of golf and the prosperity of local golf courses. However, golf course superintendents are
currently not making the most of every drop of water used on their golf courses. Organizations like
Audubon International and courses like Vineyard golf club are taking the lead in golf course
sustainability. These courses are showing that a course can be sustainable while still maintaining high
levels of condition and prosperity. The five categories of water saving strategies are a complete list of
the best ways golf course superintendents can save water while maintaining conditions. The five
categories are- modern grasses, course design elements, alternative water sources, turf grass
management and irrigation system technologies.
III. Problem Statement
In order for golf to have a successful future in society courses must be maintained in an
affordable and sustainable manner. To achieve this goal course superintendents must be able to reduce
water use while maintaining conditions and profitability. In addition, water saving methods should be
simple and easy to learn for course employees.
Currently, most courses are not utilizing enough water saving methods. The average American
golf course is about 133.5 acres (Colding and Folke). Eighty percent of maintained golf course turf grass
is regularly irrigated (USGA), much less than is subject to regular play. Very few courses take full
advantage of the modern technologies available to save water like modern grass strains, modern
irrigation systems, new applicants, alternative water sources and course design elements. The most
common water saving techniques are wetting agents (92%), hand watering (78%) and keeping grass
drier (69%) (USGA). The most common strategies are less effective than more uncommon strategies like
course design elements, alternative water sources (brackish waters, storage ponds, recycled water) and
irrigation system technologies (modern irrigation systems, weather tracking, and correct use of
equipment). It would take the same number of gallons to support 5.2 billion people as it would to
irrigate all the golf courses in the world (World Watch)
IV. Actions and Solutions
Case Study
A great organization taking the lead in golf course sustainability is Audubon International .
Audubon's goal is “To work with others to deliver high-quality environmental education and to facilitate
the sustainable management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources in all places people
live, work, and play” (Betchel). For golf courses, Audubon International has the Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary Program for Golf, a certification program that teaches golf course superintendents to protect
the environment. The program teaches professionals how to implement environmental management
plans that promote conservation efforts, conserve resources and improve efficiency. The plan focus on
environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water
conservation, water quality management, and education. More than 500 golf courses have completed
the certification to date (Audubon International 2012). The three courses discussed below are all
certified by Audubon International.
Vineyard Golf Club is located in Edgartown, Massachusetts just off the coast of Cape Cod on
Martha's Vineyard island. The course is best known for its beauty and challenge. One of the most
sustainable clubs in the world, Vineyard is placed on protected land and a fragile ecosystem. Vineyard is
completely organically grown with no synthetic pesticides and only natural fertilizers applied. Excellent
condition is maintained by hand-weeding, bio-stimulants, and composted fertilizers (Vineyard Golf
Club). Patrons of the course understand that they are sacrificing lush conditions for the beauty of the
natural landscapes.
Old Collier Golf Club in Naples, Florida is not only known for its sustainability but also its
remarkable beauty. The course is set on 267 acre of rolling shore, but more notably was the first course
in the United States to plant brackish water tolerant, Seashore Paspalum grass (Old Collier Golf Club).
This allows the course to pump brackish sea water for irrigation instead of potable water from a well or
municipality. Not only focused on saving water the course is also refuge to many different species like
foxes, gopher tortoises and over one hundred species of birds.
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most famous courses in the world, less famous than the
par 3 7th hole is the course's water recycling program. The Pebble Beach company has sponsored a $67
million Wastewater Reclamation Project that coverts wastewater into recycled water suitable for
irrigation (About). In addition to the water recycling program Pebble Beach also uses efficient golf carts
and composts organic waste created by the course.
Proposed Actions
There are five main strategies to saving water on golf courses. These five basic categories all can
save a course varying amounts of water, combined these tactics can make a dramatic difference on the
water used on any given course.
The first water saving category is grass optimization. There are now grasses which are more
stress resistant, water dependent and even adapted to brackish waters like recycled and ocean waters.
Texan bluegrass, Buffalograss, Kentucky bluegrass and bermudagrass are a few examples all
exceptionally drought proof and adapted to the high traffic levels on golf courses. Use of these grasses
properly can cut up to 60% of water uses during drought seasons (Deford). At some courses, mainly
coastal, courses use water exclusively pumped from the ocean. Using seawater is much more
sustainable than draining groundwater from local water shelves.
Another useful tactic for water saving is irrigation system technologies. Golf course
superintendents everywhere are utilizing more advanced irrigation systems with weather tracking and
irrigation uniformity. Using a system with weather tracking ensures that the course is not watered after
a large amount of rain or on cooler days with less sun when less water is needed. Irrigation uniformity
keeps track of where water is being used prevent certain areas from being over watered. Also falling
into this category is hand watering. Hand watering is not by any means an advanced technology but by
greens keepers manually applying water it prevents mechanical errors and overwatering. Irrigation
technologies are by no means one of the most effective saving techniques for courses across the board
but some courses can see substantial improvements by repairing unknown faults in their irrigation
systems.
Turf Management is a very broad group of techniques that can deals with how the
superintendent manages the turf. The use of wetting agents, pesticides, herbicides, and nutrients on
turf has a large impact of the water demanded by the ground. Wetting agents are the most commonly
used water saving tactic nationwide with over 90% utilizing them (Bastug and Dursun) . Wetting agents
settle in the first few inches of the soil and hold water there. Instead of water draining through to the
lower levels of the soil, water is kept where the turf grass can access it, preventing wasted water.
Pesticides, herbicides and other similar applicants prevent the death of the turf and avoiding the need
for reseeding and germination. Nutrients maintain the turf's health, healthy turf needs less water to
recover from stresses like divots and cart traffic.
Alternative Water Sources like storage ponds, recycled water and brackish waters can be very
expensive and challenging to implement on a course put are effective over time. Storage ponds store
surface runoff from rain and excess irrigation, this water can then be repurposed for later irrigation.
Recycled water from the city or the own courses waste can reduce the need of a well or municipal
supply. Brackish waters can completely eliminate the need for ground or municipality when utilized
correctly. In order to use brackish waters however, you must have a source like a sea or large lake; also
the course must have a grass that is adapted to the harsh water like Seashore Paspalum.
Finally, course design elements like naturalized areas, drainage design and soil consistency can
improve not only beauty but also water use. Naturalized areas where native plants area seeded and left
to their own means without applicants and irrigation can improve the cosmetics of the course and need
no maintenance or irrigation. Courses that are designed with proper drainage in mind can eliminate
casual water after heavy rains and prevent the destruction of turf from carts and foot traffic after
precipitation (ACES).
Project Description
The primary purpose of this project was to look into the sustainability of golf and how golf
courses can be preserving as much water as possible. The objective was to answer the question "How
environmentally sustainable is golf in Minnesota and the surrounding states and how can golf courses
use as little water as possible without creating inferior conditions?". I used research to determine the
best ways to save water on golf courses and how much water courses in the area are using. I then
started to contact local golf course superintendents who I interviewed about their concerns about water
use and the measures they take to conserve water on their courses. The end product of my work will
result in a mail out and communication with local superintendents to educate them on varying ways to
conserve water on their courses and how to make their courses more environmentally sustainable.
Driving Question
As my project evolved I the driving question of my research became, What are the best ways to
save water on golf courses without dramatically effecting playing conditions?
SMART Goals
The goal of my work was to create a flier that could to sent to local superintendents in order to
inspire them to use water effectively and to educate them on different water saving methods them may
not be utilizing currently.
Action Plan
My plan to complete my SMART goal was to research water saving methods, reach out and
interview local superintendents, organize my research into a usable format that can be presented to
local golf course superintendents.
Implementation
Part of my research was shadowing Duane Slaughter, superintendent of Stonebrooke Golf Club.
During my job shadow, Mr. Slaughter showed me how he manages his irrigation system, shared his
opinions on many aspects of golf course water conservation and gave me an overview of his daily tasks
managing the condition of his golf course.
I have mailed out my golf course water conservation flier to almost 50 of Minneapolis's finest
golf courses. This flier will educate the recipient on background information about water conservation
and inspire the recipient to save water on their course. The flier contains my contact information and so
I can receive feedback from the recipients.
Research Findings
My driving question was answered by my above stated golf course water conservation
strategies. Irrigation Technologies, Modern Grass Strains, Turf Management, Golf Course design, and
Alternative water sources. These ways of reducing water use on golf courses can be implemented by
superintendents to create a more sustainable, profitable, and superiorly conditioned golf course.
Works Cited
"About - Green Initiatives at Pebble Beach Resorts, California." Pebble Beach Resorts: Golf and Spa
Resort Vacations in California – Official Site. Web. 01 June 2015.
ACES. "Golfers and Golf Courses Benefit from the Use of Native Grasses in Roughs." Golfers and Golf
Courses Benefit from the Use of Native Grasses in Roughs. University of Illinois of Urbana
Champaign, 12 June 2014. Web. 01 June 2015.
Betchtel, Doug. "Audobon International- Home." Audobon International. Wild Apricot, 24 Apr. 2010.
Web. 1 June 2015.
Bastug, Ruhi, and Dursun Buyuktas. "The Effects of Different Irrigation Levels Applied in Golf Courses on
Some Quality Characteristics of Turfgrass." N.p., 12 Oct. 2002. Web. 01 June 2015.
Colding, Johan, and Carl Folke. The Role of Golf Courses in Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem
Management. Rep. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.
Deford, Frank. "Water-Thirsty Golf Courses Need to Go Green." NPR. NPR, 11 June 2008. Web. 01 June
2015.
"Environment - The Old Collier Golf Club." Home - The Old Collier Golf Club. Web. 1 June 2015.
USGA. "Golf and the Environment." (n.d.): n. pag. United States Golf Association. 6 Aug. 2014. Web. 1
June 2015.
USGA. "Golf and the Environment." (n.d.): n. pag. United States Golf Association. 6 Aug. 2014. Web. 1
June 2015.
"The Vineyard Golf Club - The Private Golf Club of Martha's Vineyard ." The Vineyard Golf Club - The
Private Golf Club of Martha's Vineyard . Web. 1 June 2015.
World Water Institute. "Water Facts | The Water Information Program." Water Facts | The Water
Information Program. N.p., 4 Oct. 2014. Web. 01 June 2015.
World Watch Institute. "Matters of Scale - Planet Golf." Matters of Scale. N.p., Mar. 2004. Web. 01 June
2015.
Bibliography
Barton, John. "How Green Is Golf?" Golf Digest. N.p., May 2008. Web. 1 June 2015.
Beard, J. B., & Green, R. L.. ”The role of turfgrasses in environmental protection and their benefits to
humans. Journal of Environmental Quality",May. 1994. Web. 01 June 2015
Gaus, Irina. "Effects of Water Extraction in a Vulnerable Phreatic Aquifer: Consequences for
Groundwater Contamination by Pesticides." N.p., May 2000. Web. 01 June 2015.
Gilhuly, Larry, and Derf Soller. "Precision Irrigation - The Key To Firm And Fast Playing Conditions."
USGA. N.p., 5 Aug. 2010. Web. 01 June 2015.
Koch, Mathew. "An Overhead Irrigation Screening Technique for Salinity Tolerance in Cool-season
Turfgrasses." Crop Science Society of America, 8 Mar. 2010. Web. 01 June 2015.
Martorana, Karlene. "The Price of Reclaimed Water-too Much to Stomach?" Hein. N.p., May 2012. Web.
1 June 2015.
Napton, Darrell, and Christopher Laingen. "Expansion of Golf Courses in the United States."
Geographical Review. N.p., Jan. 2008. Web. 1 June 2015.
Contacts
Joseph Benson
Chanhassen High School
15bensonj@isd112.org
golfwaterconservation.weebly.com
Duane Slaughter (Job Shadow)
Stonebrooke Golf Club
Head Superintendent
(952) 445-4442
John Maloy
Bearpath Golf and Country Club
Head Superintendent
(952) 975-0123
Mark Moers
Chaska Town Course
Head Superintendent
952-443-3642
Mike Brower
Minnesota Valley Golf Club
Head Superintendent
(952) 884-8733
Nathan Peters
Burl Oaks Golf Club
Head Superintendent
(952) 472-4909
Tom Fischer
Edinburgh USA Golf Club
Head Superintendent
763-315-8575
Keith Greeninger
Baker National Golf Course
Head Superintendent
(612) 473-3369.
Rick Plemel
Mississippi Dunes Golf Links
Head Superintendent
(651) 768-7611
Audobon International
Doug Betchel
Executive Director
http://www.auduboninternational.org/
Graphics
Audubon International
United States Golf Association
Naturalized Areas
Naturalized Areas at Pinehurst No. 2
Kiawah Island, Seashore Paspalum grass used throughout the course
Map of Uniform Irrigation System
Dry fairways at Shinnicock Hills Golf Club while hosting the US Open
Stonebrooke golf club uses a stress resistant strain of
bentgrass on their greens to improve health and
decrease water consumption.
The Wilds Golf Club is an example of a spread golf course with housing and water storage between holes
Hazeltine National Golf Club is a compound golf course because the holes lie adjacent to each other
Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown, MA
Old Collier Golf Club has Seashore paspalum turf and houses hundreds of species in the courses native areas
Parts of a golf course explained