The word Sustainability has been tossed around like a garden salad, and has been addressed in all different types of industries. Some seam more reasonable than others, and some need more detailed explanation – such as golf. We know golf course clientele’ desire attractive, playable, green spaces, while according to non-golf public opinion, golf courses are a meaningless waste of resource and space. Sustainability in golf course management seems like an oxymoron to many. With that said, it only makes sense that the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, is now leading a collaborative industry-wide effort toward a sustainable approach to golf facility management.
With the well known challenges the Golf Course industry faces, whether from government regulation or public perception, the association recognized the need for a sustainability plan that is focused, organized, and fosters collaboration, unity, transparency, and participation as important principal elements. They have sent out on a journey to ensure the “triple bottom line” – people, planet, and profit – is met.