Pennsylvania considering "amusement and recreation" sales tax

Pennsylvania has a budget deficit, and the golf industry could suffer the consequences. The state's General Assembly is considering expanding sales tax to include "amusements and recreational activities." This would include – you guessed it – greens fees. Other businesses subject to the tax include, but are not limited to: amusement parks, bowling alleys, marinas, car trade-ins, personal care services (what!?), RV and camping sites and movie downloads. In most areas of the state, this tax would total six percent, with exceptions of seven percent in Allegheny County and eight percent in Philadelphia.

So, what does this mean? It means higher costs for our customers. Consequently, the Pennsylvania Golf Owners group is drafting a letter to oppose this taxation, and our PGCSA logo will be included on the letter to support this opposition. Our main argument is that the golf industry continues to struggle for participants and their discretionary income. The addition of the sales tax would make golf more expensive to the consumer and that consumer will play less often, if at all. This is something the golf industry in Pennsylvania cannot afford. Additionally, some courses are already subject to a local amusement tax and the inclusion of a state sales tax would be double taxation.

When opposing such issues, it is important for us to share our industry's positive attributes with our state legislators. For example, Pennsylvania's 663 golf courses employ approximately 30,000 individuals. Likewise, the golf industry is responsible for nearly two billion dollars in direct economic impact in Pennsylvania. 

While there is not an official date set to vote on this issue, you can take action by calling or emailing your state legislators to voice your opposition. To find out who your representative is, please visit the state government website.

Please explain why we oppose this tax, what impact it could have on our industry, and the positive aspects of our economic impact in Pennsylvania. Furthermore, it is always beneficial to drive your point home by bringing it local – share how many individuals your course employs and other pertinent information that could highlight the impact of this change to that representative's district. As the old saying goes, "all politics are local."

A visit from Rafael Barajas

The GCSAA board of directors are working on getting out and interacting with chapters across the country. This past week, as a part of that effort, I was fortunate to host Director Rafael Barajas, CGCS. While the trip was relatively short, we were able to meet and visit with many superintendents of the Virginia GCSA. And although we wish we could have met with more chapters during that time, we hope in the future we can continue this outreach effort to meet with more chapters around the country and within the Mid-Atlantic region.

Rafael is a fifth-year director and has been the superintendent at Hacienda Golf Club in La Habra Heights, California since 1995. Our visit started off when I picked up Rafael at the airport on Sunday afternoon. From there, we enjoyed dinner with a few local superintendents and VGCSA Executive Director David Norman. It was an intimate group and provided ample opportunity for networking, discussion, and simply getting to know one another. 

On Monday, we participated in the Joe Saylor Tournament at Hermitage Country Club, just outside of Richmond. This tournament serves as a fundraiser for the Marines Toys for Tots Foundation, and over 100 toys were donated through the cause. Again, this event provided a great opportunity for Rafael to interact and meet members of the VGCSA. 

On Monday night, the VGCSA hosted their Annual Meeting in the clubhouse at Hermitage CC, where approximately 85 members were in attendance. In addition to a nice dinner and standard annual meeting business, the VGCSA honored three deserving members with awards for their respective career successes. Rick Viancour, CGCS, took home the Presidents Award for Lifetime Achievement, VGCSA's highest honor. Ken Giedd, CGCS, was recognized for his distinguished service, and delivered an eloquent speech that made it hard to believe he had not prepared any words beforehand. Lastly, Dan Taylor, CGCS, was honored for his environmental stewardship at Independence Golf Club. More on those awards here. 

On Tuesday, we attended the VGCSA annual conference, also hosted in the clubhouse at Hermitage CC. Rafael was part of great lineup of speakers, and he addressed the audience with "The GCSAA Perspective." Through that message, Rafael was able to prompt three new superintendents to sign up for GCSAA's Grassroots Ambassadors Program, which will help our government relations efforts in Virginia and across the country. 

In closing, I'd like to thank Rafael for taking time to visit the Mid-Atlantic region. The visit can certainly be deemed a success and we hope to get out and visit with more chapters in the future!

Where is your water coming from?

Unless you have been living in a hole, you have likely heard that California is in the midst of a historical drought. Consequently, golf courses residing in the state have been under the water-usage microscope. While this certainly presents challenges to our water-dependent industry, the situation also provides an opportunity to self-reflect, learn and try to get better in regards to water management.

I'm not here to sound the panic alarm, or shame our industry for using water. After all, in actuality, golf courses only use one half of one percent of all water withdrawn in the United States annually. And only 14 percent of golf courses use water from a municipal water supply. So you may be asking, "who cares then?" Well, a lot of people do, just read the news. I could go on with numerous anecdotal facts that support golf's claims as responsible users of water. And believe me, I buy into all of them. But that still doesn't mean that we can't improve.

Golf course irrigation can actually be mutually beneficial for golf, the environment, and other water consumers. How so? By using recycled water. In this story published by the Napa Valley Register, golf receives some positive PR as we learn about Napa Valley Country Club's conversion to recycled water. Sure, the upfront cost associated with installing the required infrastructure is certainly notable. But given the current state of water access in the state, I believe this is an investment well worth it. And as General Manager Todd Meginness points out, "aesthetically, environmentally, everybody wins. We'll be recharging the water table at the same time." Now that brings the initial point full circle.

Certainly, here in the Mid-Atlantic region, our weather conditions are quite different. We receive more rain, we experience a little season called winter when there is no need to irrigate (most of the time), and I would argue that public pressure for reducing water usage is not quite as high. But we still have a responsibility to do our due diligence and evaluate our current water management plans.

• Do you have the ability to use reclaimed water? If so, what are the costs/benefits long-term and short-term?
• How efficient is your current irrigation system? Have you audited recently?
• Do you have a drought management plan in place?
• Is there opportunity for irrigation reduction by replacing plantings with more drought tolerant plant species? 
• Is your club or association part of a water conservation task force? Should it be? 
• Do you have a relationship with your local water authority? Should you?
• Do you use soil moisture meters to determine irrigation requirements?
• Ever thought about building a retention pond and capturing runoff to use for irrigation?

The list goes on. As an industry we have more work to do with developing drought tolerant grasses, salt tolerant grasses, etc. A project that likely will never end, nor should it. Likewise, we are continually developing our BMPs, and water management is a key section. 

Similarly, water quality is not too different from water usage. Cue the Chesapeake Bay. Have you heard there is a water quality issue there? That is why I really like the idea of using recycled water, if at all possible. Not only does it benefit us, but it benefits everyone, and it is a great PR move for our industry. Maybe there are grants available. Maybe you and a local club could cost-share to get the appropriate infrastructure in place. Maybe the sanitation plant would cost-share. Maybe there would be tax write-offs. 

I don't know your specific situation. But I do believe it is our responsibility as an industry to evaluate our water management practices annually, and ask ourselves the question, "how is my water management, and how can I improve?"

Turfgrass research at Virginia Tech University

This blog post is the final installment of a mini-series highlighting university turfgrass research around the Mid-Atlantic region. For this entry, we turn our focus to Virginia Tech University, a key contributor of turfgrass research for the golf industry and a valuable resource for superintendents. Like all university conducted research, many look here for unbiased information regarding new products and practices.

On August 26, nearly 100 individuals gathered to learn more about current research being conducted at the Blacksburg,Virginia-based university. The field day got started at 8:00 AM and was split in to two separate tours: one for the "golf" contingent, and another for "lawn care, sod, and athletics" folks. Among those two tours, a total of 19 stations were displayed and described by the researching faculty member and/or their graduate students. Throughout the tour, attendees listened to presentations about NTEP trials, fungicide evaluations, herbicide assessments and more.

One of the early presentations by David McCall talked about how drones will and will not change our management strategies. Interestingly, Mr. McCall believes that drones will be able to disseminate great information for turgrass managers, but there is a long way to go before we can maximize the potential of this technology. Ideally, one day we would be able to learn what areas of the golf course need special treatment, simply by looking at data collected by drones.

Another study, which measured the impact of annual bluegrass on golf putt trajectories, used a pretty interesting tool (pictured below) called "PendulumPerfect." The tool essentially mimics a perfect putt, with the most consistent ball-striking possible. In any research project, repeatable experimentation is a key component.

Plant hormones highlighted a study by Dr. Zhang that evaluates the effect of adding auxin to trinexapac-ethyl for increased rooting in creeping bentgrass. Can you imagine the possibilities here!? Pretty cool stuff. Similarly, evaluations of plant activators and pigments are looking at these products for increasing shade tolerance.

Other displays throughout the day included discussions on green kyllinga, seedhead suppression programs, moss control programs, and dollar spot reduction with iron sulfate. For more information on any of these studies, please visit Vaturf.org for a full VA Tech research publication.

"PendulumPerfect" putting device

Dr. Askew discusses his research

Pylex research by Dr. Askew

A "tethered" drone system mounted on a golf cart

Discussing plant growth activators and shade tolerance

Turfgrass research at the University of Maryland

The University of Maryland is a key contributor of turfgrass research for golf courses in the transition zone. As an important resource for superintendents around the region, many people look to this university for unbiased information regarding new products and practices around the industry. And with the recent hiring of pathologist Dr. Joseph Roberts, the program shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. On July 15, about 100 folks gathered for the University of Maryland Biennial Turfgrass Research Field Day at the Paint Branch Turfgrass Research Facility.

The field day consisted of 23 stations, each of which was highlighted by a brief description from the researching faculty member. Throughout the tour, attendees listened to presentations about NTEP trials, fungicide evaluations, fertilizer assessments, wetting agent studies and more.

Dr. Roberts' research is cruising already, as he evaluates fungicide programs for the control of dollar spot on creeping bentgrass playing surfaces. He will continue to collect data on these trials throughout the year, and hopes to gain further insight on how to maximize the efficacy of fungicide applications. Looking to the future, Dr. Roberts plans to study microbial populations in turfgrass systems, as well as develop integrated pest management strategies to limit the occurrence of turfgrass diseases. No question that the University of Maryland is lucky to have Dr. Roberts, and his energy and experience will be an asset to the program moving forward.

As I've written numerous times on this blog, BMPs are a big topic around the Mid-Atlantic and throughout the country. Hence, Dr. Mark Carroll and his graduate student, Xiayun Xiao, are experimenting with the implementation of BMPs to reduce runoff and lawn fertilizer use. What is most interesting is that a lot of these plots are used as educational platforms for showing people outside the industry the effects of different management practices. As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, and these plots give great visual evidence that lawn fertility (applied in appropriate capacities), promotes a healthier lawn, which in turn reduces nutrient runoff and leaching. In this experiment, plots that were mowed at 1 inch and not fertilized or treated with herbicides were almost completely overtaken by weeds. Conversely, plots mowed at 3 and 4 inches, even without fertility or herbicides, showed a greater reduction in weed incidence, given the thicker stand of turf. However, the healthiest of plots were those that had a higher height of cut and received appropriate levels of fertility.

I was especially interested in research evaluating the practical application of using microclover in lawns to reduce nitrogen applications. Clover is a legume, which produces its own nitrogen in the soil. Breeding programs have developed this "microclover" in hopes that it can be implemented in home lawns to reduce the requirement for N fertilization. While you may initially be skeptical, I believe there is a future for it. In my own observation, the microclover sits underneath the turfgrass canopy enough that you really can't even see it while looking over the lawn. And while it doesn't completely eliminate all fertilizer applications, I believe it is a necessary consideration for an industry that is facing a possible county-wide pesticide ban just a few miles down the street from University of Maryland.

In a not-so-dissimilar study, Dr. Tom Turner is evaluating the effects of various nitrogen sources on annual grass and total weed coverage. Again, this research helps support collaborative efforts with the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Program and local ordinances aimed at eliminating lawn care inputs. In short, 3 pounds N/1000 square feet per year from urea nitrogen sources proved to eliminate total weed coverage more than the 1 pound rate. Furthermore, urea fertilizers seemed to suppress weed pressure more than organic sources. That being said, N rate proves to have a greater significance on weed pressure than does N source.

In closing, a big thanks to all of the University of Maryland faculty and staff who continue to do great work on behalf of the turf and golf industries. As these ongoing experiments wrap up this fall, I'm sure you will be hearing more about this research during winter educational seminars and beyond.

Dr. Roberts talks about dollar spot research on creeping bentgrass turf.

Dr. Turner presents some of his field research.

Xiayun Xiao explains her graduate research.

Turfgrass research at Penn State University

We all know how important university research is to the vitality and future success of our industry. This post will serve as the first feature of a blog mini-series highlighting the research being conducted around the Mid-Atlantic region. Next time, I will take you inside the research programs at the University of Maryland and Virginia Tech. To get us started, here is a little bit of what's going on in Happy Valley.

Dr. Max Schlossberg's research trials on Kentucky bluegrass are evaluating efficiency and recovery of controlled-release granular nitrogen fertilizers. These studies involve weekly measures of canopy color/density, growth, and fertilizer-N recovery. Field trials investigating organic N fertilizers and liming agents are also underway. Lastly, the Turfgrass Nutrition team is repeating several flux-chamber studies measuring ammonia volatilization (loss) following foliar and granular applications of urea and stabilized-urea fertilizers. The outcomes of this N-fertilizer research include guidance on fertilizer selection, rate(s), and cultural practice that support resilient golf course roughs, sports fields, and lawns; while limiting non-point N loading of water resources.

Dr. Ben McGraw and his team are working on interesting research involving turfgrass ants. Some believe that turfgrass ants are major predators of Annual Bluegrass Weevil (ABW) eggs, and Dr. McGraw wants to learn more. By monitoring these ant colonies using pit-fall traps and ABW egg stations, the entomology team hopes to gain insight into the impact that ants have on ABW populations. In answering this question, Dr. McGraw would gain insight on whether conserving these ants on fairways may actually help reduce ABW populations in the future.

Speaking of ABW, Dr. McGraw’s graduate student, Ben Czyzewski, is researching how different greens cultural practices (mowing height and N fertility) affect ABW survival rates, egg laying, and larval development. Since ABW damage is rarely reported on greens, this research helps gain insight into whether or not ABW can lay eggs on greens-height grass.  Furthermore, Ben is learning more about ABW foraging activities using a time lapse camera – pretty cool. He actually marks the adult ABWs with a UV pen, and then can easily pick up their activity on the camera. 

Dr. Kaminski and his research technician, Tim Lulis, are embarking on a long-term study looking at how to maximize playability without compromising plant health. In short, what is the point of diminishing returns when it comes to high intensity management and the expected gains? The idea is to come up with a sort of mathematical equation that can be used to attain maximum playability with the fewest necessary inputs. Think: Is that extra roll or cut necessary to attain speeds of “X”? Or, given “X” weather conditions, your greens can only attain “Y” speeds, with “Z” inputs. Complex, yes. But they hope this information is useful for tournament preparation in the future.

Some of the influencing factors include mowing frequencies, mowing heights, etc. As far as data collection, there is a ton, including thermal photography, ball roll, and plant color and quality. They are currently working on a bentgrass green, with plans to replicate the study on a fine fescue green as well. Pretty interesting.

Dr. Landschoot is working on some research that aims to control poa annua within a Kentucky bluegrass stand. While controlling poa is hard enough, controlling poa in a stand of Kentucky bluegrass is even harder, since both grasses are in the same genus. His research is showing a positive response to an Exonerate and Tenacity mixture. In this case, the exonerate kills the poa, and the Tenacity serves as a pre-emergent. While there is some phytotoxicity associated with this treatment, the results are pretty promising. 

Lastly, Dr. Andy McNitt and Tom Serensits, manager of Sports Turf Research, are working on a project looking at the playability of warm season grasses on athletic fields in northern climates. The trial is evaluating three bermudagrasses up against new Kentucky bluegrasses. Some of the evaluation parameters include traction and divot resistance. In other work, the McNitt group is experimenting with fraze mowing and various sodding techniques for NFL fields. 

In closing, I'd like to thank all of the Penn State Turfgrass Faculty and Staff for presenting their research, and the hard work they continue to put forth to serve our industry. 

A view of Valentine Turfgrass Research Center

Dr. McGraw's pitfall traps placed around a turfgrass ant colony

A look at Dr. Landschoot's poa control study

A story of winter recovery

We are well aware of the brutal conditions that the Mid-Atlantic region experienced this past winter. Horror stories of devastation on greens swept through the grapevine. Undoubtedly, turf kill was widespread. These situations require a lot of hard work and patience for recovery, and often times our golfer clientele do not fully understand the unpredictability of winter kill, nor the time and effort it takes to recoup putting surfaces. However, sometimes they do understand, and it's always nice to hear positive feedback from our customers during testy times.

That's why we were delighted when we got a phone call from Valley Country Club member Larry Klemow, praising the work of his superintendent, Eric Reed, CGCS. Eric has been busy babying his greens back to health after a challenging winter. Larry said of Eric's hard work, "There's a whole bunch of people who like you, and a whole bunch who don't. I'm one of those on his side. It's because of how much he respects his golf course."

Eric had nearly 20 percent damage on his greens coming out of winter, the worst he has ever had. He and a group of industry friends (volunteers) replaced approximately 8,000-9,000 plugs by taking live turf from the edge of greens and replacing it with the damaged plugs. This method allowed him to complete the work as quickly as possible since he eliminated the travel time of hauling plugs from another location. In working through restoration, Eric said communication to his greens committee was important for setting realistic expectations of recovery time.

As is typical with winter kill, it's hard to pinpoint exactly what caused the damage, but Eric believes it was a combination of crown hydration and ice cover. In preparing for next year, he plans on being diligent with his K fertility, as well as improve surface drainage by stripping and lowering the greens' collars.

Eric was also quick to acknowledge those who loaned a helping hand, and wants to recognize those individuals: Brian Bachman, Genesis Turfgrass; Charlie Miller, CGCS, The Springhaven Club; Patrick Knelly, Sugarloaf Golf Club; Matt Kuchta, Sugarloaf GC; Joe Horan, Sugarloaf GC; Chris Snopkowski, Wyoming Valley Country Club; Scott Kotula, Wyoming Valley CC; Chuck Usher, Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club.

As the saying goes, "a picture says a thousand words," so take a look:

Best of luck to Eric for the 2015 season!

Pennsylvania Golf Day rendered a success

On Tuesday, June 9, we made golf history in the Keystone State. This date marked our first ever Pennsylvania Golf Day hosted in Harrisburg, the state's capital.

What's Pennsylvania Golf Day? It's an opportunity. An opportunity to tell golf's story. An opportunity to build relationships with the legislators who govern the land where we reside and work. For superintendents specifically, an opportunity to promote ourselves as professional land managers and stewards.

We had seven participating organizations from around the state, including the CMA, two PGA sections, Pennsylvania Golf Owners (PGO), Western PA Golf Association (WPGA), Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP), and, of course, the PGCSA.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in about 80 meetings with state legislators and/or their staff. We talked about golf's economic impact in Pennsylvania – almost $2 billion annually. We talked about the number of jobs golf creates in the state – about 30,000 with a payroll approaching $500 million. We talked about the charitable contributions of golf – almost $4 billion annually across the U.S. We also met with chairmen of the committees that are responsible for fertilizer and drought legislation in the state, both of which impact the way we do business.

By cultivating these relationships with our state government, it improves our chance of having a "seat at the table" when new bills are proposed, or existing legislation is reviewed. If we can establish the trust that empowers our legislators to seek our opinions, then we are doing ourselves and our industry a great service.

In addition to the meetings, we had a large exhibit set up in the East Wing rotunda of the main capitol building. Imagine a trade show. There was a hitting simulator (huge draw), a putting green and booths for each participating organization. At our table, we promoted our BMP manual, multiple irrigation technologies, different types of turf plugs and anything else that highlighted water, fertilizer or environmental management. Anybody – including legislators – coming through the rotunda that day could stop and talk with us. The traffic was steady.

Everyone that participated found the day worthwhile and educational. Not only does this day help us promote the industry we love, but there is a great deal of learning that takes place simply by engaging. I think it's safe to render Pennsylvania Golf Day 2015 a great success. We look forward to building on that momentum in 2016!

Superintendents promoting our profession.

Left to right: Chase Rogan, Micah Lowell, Senator Vulakovich and  Tim Fitzgerald.

Our state's great capitol building.

A patron steps up to hitting simulator.

MAAGCS receives 'Circle of Friends' award

GCSAA chapters across the nation are dedicated to supporting and serving their local universities. Recently, the Mid-Atlantic Association of Golf Course Superintendents was recognized for their exceptional achievements in doing just that. 

Tip of the cap to this group. The association was acknowledged with the Circle of Friends Award from the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A fine distinction. Mike Barrett, CGCS and MAAGCS past president, accepted the award at the AGNR alumni banquet on April 16. The award is given to an organization that demonstrates "out of the ordinary service" to the college.

       

In the presentation, the chapter was recognized for its contributions to research, scholarship opportunities for students, contributions to offset travel expenses for GCSAA Turf Bowl teams and for consistently waiving registration fees for students at chapter education events. You make us proud, MAAGCS. 

MAAGCS Past President Mike Barrett, CGCS, receives the Circle of Friends Award from Dean Cheng-i Wei (left)

and Alumni Association President Robert Morris (right).

Promoting golf during Earth Day

Golf is a game played on earth's great landscapes. A chance to be outdoors, enjoying some of life's finest scenery, golf seems to bring people to a state of serenity and joy. From weather to wildlife, to scents of fresh cut grass and wild plants, what's not to love about the outdoors?

As Earth Day 2015 falls upon us (April 22), it's important that we highlight and share some of golf's greatest attributes regarding environment and sustainability. Below are 10 facts that you can share with others that will promote our sport in the context of Earth Day and beyond.

1.   Golf courses are professionally managed landscapes where environmental stewardship is important – from using water and nutrients more efficiently to implementing more and better methods of erosion control.

2.   In general, the golf industry is striving to deliver firm and fast playing surfaces that are better for everyone and improve the bottom line. More than two-thirds of golf courses report that they keeping turfgrass drier than in the past.

3.   The golf industry is continually investing in research to identify drought-tolerant grasses and improve water conservation through best management practices.

4.   Golf courses use only one-half of 1 percent of all water withdrawn annually in the United States.

5.   Only 14 percent of golf courses use water from a municipal water supply – with most using water from on-course lakes, ponds and recycled water sources.

6.   Golf courses provide environments for wildlife, including protected species.

7.   Updated and targeted irrigation systems and ground moisture reading tools, along with weather monitoring systems, provide the science to water only when and where it is needed.

8.   Golf courses routinely have recycling programs to reduce and reuse, with an ultimate goal of zero waste.

9.   More than 90 percent of a typical golf course is turfgrass, a water body or other natural areas that prevent erosion, serve to filter runoff, and provide for cooler temperatures in urban settings.

10. Through governmental affairs, professional education and public information, the golf industry is striving to make environmental responsibility a basic premise.

GCSAA launches "thank a superintendent" campaign

GCSAA is launching an exciting new outreach campaign, hoping to stir golfer appreciation for the great work of our members. By utilizing TV, radio, print and internet media, GCSAA's new "thank a golf course superintendent" campaign aims to reach the 25 million golfers who enjoy the fruits of our superintendents' labors.

The television spots (15 and 30 seconds long) are headlined by the Golden Bear, Mr. Jack Nicklaus, and feature other marquee names, including Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar, Michelle Wie and Nick Faldo. These big-name golfers have big-time influence, and GCSAA is using their testimonies to show the golf world why superintendents are a key component of the game's success and enjoyment. These ads will run on the Golf Channel throughout 2015, and you can check them out at http://www.gcsaa.org/thankasuperintendent.

The radio ads, similar to the TV ads, also feature Nicklaus and other brand-name golfers and will air on Sirius XM PGA Tour Radio (Sirius 208, XM 93), as well as local golf radio shows throughout the nation. Both TV and radio ads can be co-branded by GCSAA chapters and aired in their local markets. The radio spots can be heard on the same link provided above.

By tracking internet traffic on golf-related websites, these ads will take advantage of dynamic internet marketing to pinpoint golfers' web browsers and lure them in with a chance to win a trip to the 2015 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. When golfers view the ad, they are prompted to fill out a "thank your superintendent" form for their chance to win the trip to the PGA Championship. On the back end, GCSAA will then send that thank you note to the golfer's superintendent and the superintendent's employer. Pretty cool.

The project is spear-headed by two new faces to the GCSAA team: associate director of marketing Russell Sypowicz, and director of communications and media, Craig Smith. Both bring great experience to the GCSAA team, and look to continue making headway in future outreach and marketing initiatives.

In other news, Jenny Pagel-Guile is the new face of the GCSAA certification program, replacing recently retired Penny Mitchell. Jenny is working to help further develop and grow the CGCS program and wants to hear member feedback in order to provide more directed services. 2014 saw 22 newly certified members, and eight members have started the process in 2015. Please feel free to reach out to her directly for questions regarding the application process or eligibility at JPagel-Guile@gcsaa.org.

Pennsylvania Golf Day taking shape

On April 15, GCSAA and other allied organizations in the "We Are Golf" coalition will unite on Capitol Hill for National Golf Day. We will tell golf's story, promote our economic impact, share our charitable initiatives and meet with legislators who govern the land where we reside and work.

On June 9, the Pennsylvania GCSA will come together with our own statewide allies and follow that same model to promote the game at our state capital in Harrisburg. What is the purpose? We want to let our representatives know that golf is a business; it's a green space; it's a wildlife habitat; it creates jobs; and it's a valuable community asset. We want to establish trust with our legislators. We want to be perceived as experts in land management. And we want to help.

If we can build these relationships with our state government, it improves our chance of having a "seat at the table" when new bills are proposed. If we can establish the trust that enables and empowers our legislators to seek our opinions, then we are doing ourselves and our industry a great service.

We currently have seven allied organizations committed to participating in our inaugural state golf day, including the CMA, two PGA sections, Pennsylvania Golf Owners (PGO), Western PA Golf Association, Golf Association of Philadelphia and of course, the PAGCSA. We'd like two superintendents from each of our six Pennsylvania affiliated chapters to come to Harrisburg to participate in the day. That being said, if more want to come and see the event, you are more than welcome!

In addition to meeting with state legislators, we will also have a large space in the main Capitol building for each organization to set up an exhibit. If you have ideas on what we should include at our superintendent's exhibit table, please let me know! We want to make sure we are representing the industry well. PGA will also be setting up nets and tees so people can hit some golf balls and get some tips from a PGA professional - how cool!

I will update you further as details develop and we get closer to the June 9 date. I hope you are as excited as I am about this very important initiative -- one that we hope to continue on an annual basis. Stay tuned!

A new perspective on nutrient management plans

If you follow this blog, you have likely seen me write about the importance of Best Management Practices (BMPs) and the development of statewide BMP models across the country. By now, I hope we understand why these programs are important for advocacy and government relations initiatives. But if not, here is a refresher:

Golf has long been scrutinized as a contributor, even a large contributor, to the deteriorating water quality of the Chesapeake Bay. For that reason, many states in the Bay's watershed have embarked on legislative-driven journeys to create environmental accountability as it relates to golf course maintenance practices. So, how do we create that accountability? We develop statewide BMP models that we can promote to our legislators.

But once we develop these BMP models, how do we validate to our law-makers just how many golf courses are implementing these BMPs? This is where nutrient management plans come into play. Nutrient management plans ARE the validation for BMPs. Last week I had a long conversation with Peter McDonough, superintendent at The Keswick Club in Virginia, about this very topic. Peter has been instrumental in developing BMPs in Virginia, as well as working with the state government to implement nutrient management plans for golf courses.

In regard to the water quality of the Chesapeake Bay, the main "culprits" of interest are nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments. While Virginia state law allows so much of those given nutrients to be applied in a calendar year, the allowable quantity is usually more than what golf courses actually apply. By developing a nutrient management plan for each golf course, it shows that we are staying within our industry's Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). And most of the time, even below the allowable thresholds.

Each golf course in Virginia is required to have a nutrient management plan in place by 2017. And the VGCSA even worked with the state to secure funding assistance. Plans have to be written by a certified nutrient management plan writer and are required to be re-written every five years. Now, while this may sound like a huge expense and burden, the cost really isn't too bad - about $10 per acre. And remember, there is state funding to help aid the financial aspect.

Track with me -- nutrient management plans are a way to validate our use of BMPs, particularly in regard to fertilizer application. But, here is where this gets really interesting -- remember how I said we usually apply less fertilizer than our allowable thresholds? Well, imagine a credit system where we could sell TMDL credits to other industries. That's right, creating nutrient management plans could actually be a revenue stream in the future. And this isn't an outlandish, never-going-to-happen, crazy idea either. Peter McDonough is actually working on the approval of selling these credits in Virginia. And the financial gain could be significant, possibly even in the six digit realm.

So, to wrap this up and bring it full circle: We need to create statewide BMP models to illustrate our responsible use of water, resources and nutrient application. Development of nutrient management plans are a way of validating these BMP models, and possibly a future revenue stream. So not only are we bringing golf into the good graces of our state and federal legislators; these programs also help protect us and give us a "seat at the table" when we face future legislative changes. And last, but certainly not least, we could even make some money along the way.