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YOUR WATER
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Splish splash
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The sound of rushing waterfalls and gurgling ponds will fall on the ears of Golf Industry Show attendees as they peruse the vendor booths on the trade show floor next month in New Orleans. That’s because water, as the theme of this year’s construction project, “Water Use and Maintenance,” is incorporated into every aspect of the golf course microcosm.
Located at booth No. 1639, the project will be constructed with the help of the Golf Course Builders Association of America, the American Society of Golf Course Architects, GCSAA and the Irrigation Association. Occupying a 60-foot-by-70-foot area, it will showcase a drainage system, a fairway, a stream, a tee, water containment areas, rough areas, stormwater retention areas and ponds that serve to demonstrate how efficient water use and management can be enhanced by design and construction methods. Each feature displays one of the latest water management tools and techniques in the industry, says Aileen Smith, director of communications for ASGCA.
Products such as a weather station, sensors, sprinkler heads, pond liners and fertilizers will all be built into the golf course cut-out.
“We’ll even be growing different types of grasses just to get people thinking about picking the right grass for their geographical area that uses the least amount of water,” says Paul Foley, executive director for the GCBAA.
Using water-efficient inputs can make a big difference on a course.
“If you can put (water-efficient products) on your golf course, you can save a lot of water, be able to reclaim water and save a lot of money,” Foley adds. “It’s mainly designed for the superintendents. The main thing is helping their thought process, helping them save money and helping keep the golf course green like everybody likes it.”
Foley, a member of the planning committee for the project, says the water-themed display addresses the top concern of many superintendents.
“We think it’s one of, if not the most, important issue facing existing and new golf course construction,” he says. “We thought it was a good time to expose everybody to the different methods that people can use to control water use and maintenance.”
The builders’ portion of the exhibit begins on the Sunday prior to the trade show floor opening. “The architects drew up the plan, and we’re actually constructing the project, bringing in truckloads of dirt and sand to construct a mini golf hole,” Foley says, adding that the Irrigation Association will help install sprinkler products. The display will be complete by the time the trade show doors open on Thursday.
Representatives from all presenting organizations will be on-hand during trade show hours to answer questions and to deliver related educational programs on Thursday and Friday at one corner of the exhibit.
Foley adds that the planning committee specifically wanted to make the project hands-on and accessible — as a result, a bridge will be constructed over the exhibit to let attendees get closer to and even touch the water features.
The Groundwater Guardian Green Site program recognizes the groundwater and environmental stewardship of highly managed green spaces, including golf courses, by encouraging them to implement and document groundwater-friendly practices. The group encourages sustainability and provides opportunities for superintendents to educate themselves about groundwater resources. Designation as a GG Green Site results from completing an application and earning at least 70 percent of total applicable points based on current practices in fertilizer and pesticide use, water use, managing pollution sources, protecting water quality and environmental stewardship. Learn more by attending GCSAA’s webcast titled “Going Green for Groundwater” on Jan. 15, or catch it On-Demand. Visit www.gcsaa.org/education/webcast/webcast.aspx for more information. Are you thinking about making a switch to effluent water on your course? Consider these facts first. Golf courses can be effective wastewater treatment facilities because dense, well-managed turfgrass areas are among the best filtration systems for polluted water. Effluent is usually cleansed of major pollutants, but it still contains enough trace amounts of saline, heavy metals and bacteria to be undrinkable. Using effluent water on a course may pose challenges such as high salinity and other pollutants to superintendents, but golfers shouldn’t notice any changes, other than an occasional early morning odor. If effluent water is present on your course, post signage and warnings to golfers to not come in contact with the water — it can still contain E. coli and other bacteria. |
