Advocacy efforts heat up

As winter weather breaks and spring heats up, as do advocacy efforts around the Mid-Atlantic. From involvement in government affairs to supporting programs that grow the game, each initiative has a purpose. So, as you choose initiatives to be a part, I encourage you to align your efforts with your purpose. There is no shortage of opportunities to engage.

Pennsylvania is planning its second consecutive Pennsylvania Golf Day set for June 22. Last year was the inaugural venture, as allied industry members from across the state coalesced in Harrisburg to represent the game at our state's capital. National Golf Day serves as the model for state golf days across the country, and we will look to build on last year's success by making the event even better this time around. If you’re interested in participating in PA Golf Day, please contact me!

Also in the government affairs arena, Virginia GCSA continues to build relationships with the state's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as they work on implementing certified nutrient management plans at all golf courses in the state by July 2017. The Virginia GCSA worked with the DEQ in establishing this nutrient management model, which will help the state stay within Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) recommendations for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Similarly, the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Shore Associations are working on their respective BMP models, which help position golf course superintendents as responsible environmental stewards.

On the 'growing the game' side of advocacy, interest in First Green is increasing around the area. First Green is an innovative environmental and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs. Golf course superintendents host students on field trips where they test water quality, collect soil samples, identify plants, and much more. If you are interested in learning more, please contact me! This is a great program that allows us to promote the game within the context of education.

Rounds 4 Research is entering the final stretch of its donation drive. The live auction will take place on April 1-10, so please get those foursomes donated ASAP! Not only does this program allow us to showcase our golf courses to auction bidders, but also helps us advocate our research and development efforts to the golfing public. Research efforts help us within the game, but also help establish baseline scientific facts that can be leveraged in government affairs.

No matter your chosen area to advocate, I challenge you to be involved somewhere, in some capacity. Many of us love the game for reasons beyond the weekly paycheck it provides, and those reasons alone merit our involvement in advocacy efforts. So go ahead, and pick your purpose.