Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Golf Course
Environmental Profile Project
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Golf Course Environmental Profile Project?
In 2006, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)
began conducting the first in a series of surveys to determine the physical
features found on golf courses, practices used by superintendents to maintain
golf courses and inputs and outputs associated with management of golf
courses. This effort is called the Golf Course Environmental Profile project.
The overall goal of the project is to develop an environmental profile
of golf courses.
GCSAA contracted the National Golf Foundation (NGF) to conduct the surveys
and analyze the data. All superintendents, whether GCSAA members or not,
will be invited to participate in all the surveys. Surveys will be available
via electronic or paper submission.
Why initiate a survey?
GCSAA and the golf industry need information specific to the environmental
attributes of golf courses. This will include natural resource inventories,
management inputs and current environmental stewardship practices. This
information will provide baseline data for documenting changes in environmental
practices over time and help to set priorities for education, research,
member services and other environmental programs. The data will also help
us respond to governmental inquiries and to answer the public’s
questions about environmental issues. Existing environmental data are
very limited, not complete, uniform, or centralized. Many times information
provided in the news media is inaccurate or misleading.
What kind of information will be requested?
Information on property features, water use and conservation, water quality,
habitat and wildlife management, energy consumption and inputs of nutrients
and pesticides will be collected in the series of surveys.
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How will the survey be performed?
The content of the survey was determined based on input from the GCSAA
Environmental Programs Committee and associated advisory panels, along
with contributions from GCSAA staff.
- The GCSAA will utilize the NGF to develop the survey instrument, conduct
the survey, and summarize the results.
- We will utilize an on-line survey, paper survey and other methods
to ensure a high return rate.
- The survey will be conducted in multiple installments, with a new
installment conducted annually. Over a multi-year period, we will collect
the entire data set needed.
- Once the first multi-year survey cycle and analysis has been completed,
GCSAA will begin the process for a second multi-year survey cycle to
document environmental change on golf course properties.
- The information will only be reported as aggregate data, summarized
by state, region or other geographic area.
- Responses from an individual golf course will not be published or
released.
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What’s Happening in 2009?
The information from the second survey, Water Use and Conservation, conducted
in the fall of 2006, was published within the science journal, Applied
Turfgrass Science. You can access the journal and manuscript at: http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/ats/element/sum2.aspx?id=7132.
View a pdf of GCSAA's report: Water
Use and Conservation Practices on U.S. Golf Courses or view the summary
of the report.
The information from the first survey, Property Profile Survey, conducted
during 2006, was published within the scientific journal Applied Turfgrass
Science. You can access the journal and manuscript at http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/ats/element/sum2.aspx?id=6714.
View a pdf of GCSAA’s report: Property
Profile and Environmental Stewardship of Golf Courses or view the
summary
of the report.
GCSAA launched the fifth survey in the series, the Energy Use and
Environmental Practices Survey during February 2009.
This survey collected information regarding energy use, such as electricity
used for the entire golf facility, total gallons of gasoline used, etc.,
and associated practices on golf courses throughout the United States.
Also, in 2009 the results from the Nutrient Use Survey and Pesticide
Use Survey are expected to be submitted to the science journal Applied
Turfgrass Science for review and publication.
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How will this information be used?
- Document changes in environmental practices over time.
- Assist in determining the future direction of GCSAA environmental
efforts.
- Key issues will be identified for potential research projects.
- GCSAA will have the ability to respond to governmental inquiries,
answer the public’s questions about environmental issues, and
promote the efforts superintendents are making on their golf courses.
- The data will provide a solid basis for comments on proposed regulatory
issues that may impact the golf industry.
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How do I participate?
Invitations to participate with the Energy Use and Environmental Practices
survey were distributed to superintendents via email and regular mail
in February 2009.
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What incentives are there for
completing the survey?
- GCSAA will award 0.25 service points for each completed
Energy Use and Environmental Practices Survey. Participants simply need
to fully complete the survey, provide their name and the name of their
golf course. GCSAA will process the service point credits.
- In addition, as a thank you for your participation and full-completion
of the Energy Use and Environmental Practices Survey, participants will
be automatically entered into a drawing to win one of seven $320 GCSAA
gift cards that can be used for any program or service offered by GCSAA
such as a membership, seminar, web cast, conference registration, etc.
A total of seven $320 GCSAA gift cards will be awarded by random drawing.
One gift card will be awarded to one winner from each of the seven agronomic
regions. Prizes may be taxable. Winners should consult their tax advisors.
- As an added incentive for completion of this survey, The Environmental
Institute for Golf and The Toro Company will conduct a random drawing
and award a superintendent’s golf facility the use of a new Toro
Pro Force™ Debris Blower for one year. One lucky winner will be
drawn at random from those who submit a completed survey by May 19,
2009. Toro has demonstrated their support for the Golf Course Environmental
Profile by providing a series of grants to fund all the survey work
of the Environmental Profile. Toro shares The Institute's belief that
the data collected will allow The Institute to act more effectively
on behalf of the golf course industry.
 More
about the Pro Force(TM):
Toro Pro The new Toro Pro Force(TM) debris blower delivers tremendous
air power for fast removal of grass clippings, leaves, aeration
cores, or other debris from your golf course, maintained turf areas,
and paved areas such as golf car paths and parking lots. Operated
by a wireless remote control with unmatched functionality, and with
design features such as the durable one-piece plastic nozzle, the
Pro Force sets a new standard. Visit Toro’s website: http://www.toro.com/golf/utility/debris/blower/proforce.html
The prize will be subject to an “Equipment Partnership Program”
agreement with the winner's local Toro distributor.
At a minimum the provisions of the agreement would be as follows:
1. The equipment, as described within the agreement, will be
provided to the customer on a no-charge basis, for a term of 12
months commencing upon the first day of the calendar month the
date of final signature.
2. The customer shall competently perform all maintenance, repairs
and service required or recommended by Toro or required to keep
the equipment functioning properly. During the term of this agreement
the customer is responsible for maintaining the equipment using
genuine Toro parts in accordance with the manufacturer’s
operator and parts manuals. The cost for this maintenance shall
be borne by the Customer except such costs which result from applicable
warranty coverage that will be paid by the designated Toro distributor.
3. The customer shall maintain and store the equipment in a secure,
enclosed area when not in use.
4. The customer will have the opportunity to purchase the product
from their designated Toro distributor at the end of the applicable
term. Should the customer decide to return the equipment to their
designated Toro distributor at the end of the applicable term,
it shall be in the same condition it was received, save normal
wear and tear.
5. The customer shall allow only those persons who have read the
operator’s manual, viewed the operator training video, if
available, and in the customer’s judgment, received adequate
training to operate the equipment. The customer specifically assumes
the duties of adequately training and warning all operators regarding
the proper use and risks associated with the foreseeable use of
the equipment.
6. The customer acknowledges that it has received a complete list
of additional available operators’ manuals, maintenance
manuals and training video tapes which are made available to the
customer by Toro at no cost.
7. This agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties and supersedes all prior agreements.
8. Any dispute arising out of the interpretation or execution
of any term or condition of this agreement shall be resolved through
binding arbitration upon written notice to the other side. The
arbitration shall be in accordance with the then existing terms
of the American Arbitration Association. In any arbitration, only
actual damages will be awardable. No punitive, consequential or
exemplary damages shall be awardable to either party. Each party
shall bear their own costs and attorney’s fees.
Prizes will be awarded in accordance with GCSAA's terms and conditions.
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Contact information
For additional information contact Mark Johnson, GCSAA Senior Manager
of Environmental Programs, by calling 800-472-7878, ext. 5161 or by email
at mjohnson@gcsaa.org.
 Supported
in part by a grant from The
Toro Giving Program
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