Play Your Part
Five ways that superintendents can help drive for net zero
By Jamie Graham
There are approximately 39,000 golfing landscapes globally. Because the sport is played outdoors, we all have a duty to be responsible custodians of the land. Golf-course superintendents can help deliver a better future for golf, people, and the planet by driving for net zero. No sport can turn a blind eye to the issues around climate action. Many courses have been negatively affected by coastal erosion, floods, and droughts.
Photo Credit: Bear Trace
Sustainable golf practices can help deliver business benefits, such as time and cost savings. These can free up resources for other projects.
Here are five ways to help to drive for net zero.
1. Change mowing patterns.
While plenty of skill and experience can go into creating eye-catching mowing patterns, they may not be ideal when it comes to conserving resources.
One example of this in action comes from The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay—an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature course located in Harrison Bay State Park outside of Chattanooga, Tenn. Deciding to move from striping fairways to cutting in a more traditional pattern has brought many benefits.
By mowing one side of the fairway towards the green and the other towards the tee boxes, the course saved 312 hours annually. This practice freed up a significant amount of time for other projects around the course. The practice also saved 811 gallons of fuel and 18,641 pounds of point-source CO2 emissions.
There was also no impact on playability for golfers. The aesthetics of the course are important to those who play on it, but this new pattern made for a great trade-off for more sustainability and less damage to the environment.
Can you do something of a similar nature at your course?
2. Naturalize out-of-play areas.
Naturalization is a popular and easy way to sequester more carbon. One method of achieving this is planting native wildflower meadows in out-of-play areas. Many courses have land that doesn't have any practical use, and is only in play for the most erratic golfers off the tee! But do the research into which native plants sequester the most carbon before implementing naturalization.
Afforestation and restoration of existing forests is another way to use nature-based solutions to drive down the carbon footprint in and around the course. A mature tree is estimated to absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 pounds per year. This figure should factor into carbon calculations when looking at ways to mitigate the CO2 footprint.
And, at TPC Scottsdale, planting and developing native-grass plants help to reduce erosion in desert waterways. During monsoon season, these washes fill with water very quickly and are subject to erosion. By populating with grasses, the underlying desert material is more stable.
When done well, naturalization also increases habitats for local wildlife to enjoy. Wildflowers can help brighten a golfer’s experience and make a round more memorable, for little financial investment.
Can you find some quick naturalization wins at your course?
3. Adapt irrigation.
The next logical step from naturalization is irrigation. Are you watering non-playing areas on a course and wasting energy in the process?
Better accuracy and uniformity of application from sprinkler heads is another benefit of monitoring how efficient irrigation is in real terms.
Conserving resources is a cornerstone of effective sustainable golf practice. Figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration for 2020 found an average of 0.85 pounds of CO2 emissions was produced per kWh of electricity. By auditing an irrigation system, you can not only save water and cut costs but also reduce the carbon footprint by limiting the amount of time you’re running the system.
With increasing emphasis on sustainability in every part of our daily lives, including sport, golf won’t get a free pass. Getting ahead of the curve now means you can gather reliable data and demonstrate how you’re making a positive difference.
When did you last conduct an irrigation audit?
4. Use technology to reduce energy.
When looking to replace course machinery, it may well pay to go electric in order to take a step towards net-zero carbon emissions. Referring to The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay, 18 pieces of the maintenance fleet were converted from gasoline-powered to electric-powered. This conversion of mowers, bunker rakes, greens rollers, and utility vehicles eliminated over 174,000 pounds of point-source carbon emissions per year, 11,000 gallons of gas, and 157 gallons of waste oil. Also, expenses were cut by over $30,000.
Paul Carter, CGCS, the Certified Golf Course Superintendent at The Bear Trace, has this advice: “Reducing carbon emissions and protecting the environment can be accomplished on any level budget, even lower-tiered ones.
“Doing your due diligence when looking at a new piece of equipment is important,” he says. “Don’t base your purchase solely on the price, but also look at the long-term implications.
“Electric equipment may cost a bit more upfront, but not in all cases. However, the savings garnered over the life of the unit makes electric equipment the more attractive option, not only for operators and the budget but for the environment as well.”
5. Review the supply chain.
Examine suppliers for all course-maintenance activities. This action can have two-fold benefits—supporting local businesses and reducing the associated carbon footprint on deliveries.
You may have inherited several suppliers when you accepted the position, but it’s a good idea to review them through an environmental lens.
This activity can cover everything, including turf, top dressing, and equipment.
While budgetary considerations are often a factor, there’s no harm in exploring options. There might be better alternatives that will result in a win-win-win situation of better quality at a lower price and with lower CO2 emissions.
With an increasing emphasis on environmental considerations, asking current suppliers about their sustainability policies is an excellent way to kick-start the conversation about options.
Start Small
While the five ways noted above will help drive net zero, it’s important not to feel overwhelmed. Taking just one action to get started on your sustainability journey will make a difference. And when you see the results, you’ll want to do even more.
The global, sustainable golf community is growing rapidly. This includes public and private courses, new developments, and professional tournaments.
Sustainability is good for golf, society, and the planet. How will you play a part?
Jamie Graham is the Communications Manager at GEO Foundation for Sustainable Golf. Contact hello@sustainable.golf and learn more at www.sustainable.golf