How Can Golf Course BMPs Promote Sustainability and Benefit Communities?

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America offers tips for superintendents to demonstrate golf course environmental stewardship. BMPs cover key areas such as water management, water quality monitoring, integrated pest management, nutrient management, energy and pollinator protection.

In 2017, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) launched an initiative to create golf course best management practices in all 50 states. In January, GCSAA announced that the goal had been reached and all states now have specific BMPs featuring agronomic practices that support environmental stewardship.

Golf course BMPs offer guidelines for superintendents to manage their facilities in an efficient and environmentally sustainable manner. BMP manuals document all of the science-based practices and professional course management that many people need to see. While superintendents spearhead BMP efforts, the use of BMPs benefit everyone in the community that a golf course serves.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, here are five facts about the way golf course BMPs promote sustainability and benefit communities:
– BMPs cover key areas such as water management, water quality monitoring, integrated pest management, nutrient management, energy and pollinator protection.
– BMPs are voluntary guidelines for superintendents for managing golf facilities in an efficient manner while providing quality playing surfaces and protecting the environment.
– State BMP development was led by golf course superintendents working closely with others in the golf industry, university faculty and officials from various state agencies around the country in creating the BMPs.
– BMP manuals provide an easy, detailed reference for golfers, lawmakers and community members to better understand the operations behind the maintenance of one of their local greenspaces.
– State BMP manuals were just the first phase. The next phase involves individual golf facilities using their state guides as a starting point to develop a BMP manual specific to the needs of the course and community.

“Golf course superintendents are committed to their role as environmental stewards,” said Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO. “BMPs document and share the many ways people and wildlife benefit from the agronomic and environmental practices superintendents engage in every day.”

To learn more about golf course best management practices and see all of the state BMP guides, visit https://www.gcsaa.org/environment/best-management-practices.