Monthly Feature Hosted By:
	David Phipps, GCSAA Class A member at Stone Creek Golf Club, Oregon City, Ore.

Combined with a growing population, a long term drought can spell trouble for those that are managing turf. This month’s case study will feature the water conservation efforts of golf courses in the southern region of Nevada. Southern Nevada is dependent on the Colorado River to provide 90% of the areas water supply. With a population that is the fastest growing in the nation, superintendents are implementing some extraordinary measures to conserve water.

I have experienced some moderate drought conditions in the Northwest and have had to watch my home watering to a degree, but it is hard to imagine some of the restrictions that are being brought forth to land and business owners alike in Southern Nevada. While doing some investigation on this case study I reviewed the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s website and learned of some interesting techniques they have implemented in conserving water. They have set restrictions on the total square footage of turf that can be installed for areas including front yard landscapes and golf courses. There is a fee assessed for water waste and you are restricted to water only on specified days during certain times of the year. There is even a rebate offered to land owners for converting their turf to non-irrigated or drip irrigated landscape for up to $2 per square foot.

The golf courses in the region are committed to becoming part of the solution. They are voluntarily removing areas of turf that are out of play and they have managed to save billions of gallons of water to date. Patrick Watson’s case study will describe how golf courses determine the areas to deem as Xeriscape. Patrick is reporting that superintendents are also realizing other benefits that go beyond conservation. Follow this study and learn of the great techniques that superintendents like guest columnist Brian C. Bagwell, Director of Golf Course Maintenance at Sun City Summerlin, are implementing in the Southern Nevada region to conserve water.

If you are compelled to share an environmental case study, we would love to hear from you. Your completed case study will earn you 0.25 service points. If you have any questions feel free to contact myself at dcphipps@bctonline.com or Mark Johnson, GCSAA’s Senior Manager, Environmental Programs.

August's Guest:
	Brian C. Bagwell, GCSAA Class A member, Director of Golf Course Maintenance, Sun City Summerlin Community Association

Golf course superintendents in Southern Nevada have been very proactive in water conservation.  Unfortunately, not all golf courses in the Las Vegas area were originally designed as desert-style golf courses.  This has given many superintendents an opportunity to remove turf and convert to desert landscaping.

I had the opportunity to be part of a desert conversion at my previous employment, Desert Willow Golf Course in Henderson, Nevada.  There, we converted 15 acres of turf to landscape rock and incorporated low-water use landscape plants.  We worked closely with the Southern Nevada Water Authority and participated in their rebate program. 

This was an exciting yet challenging opportunity for us at Desert Willow.  The golf course is predominately Perennial Ryegrass, so eliminating turf for us was very crucial because of water requirements for cool-season turf.  One of the most difficult tasks in the process was the irrigation redesign.  We wanted to remove as many heads as possible and still have proper coverage for the remaining turf.  The majority of the conversion was turf adjacent to the homes on the golf course.  Piping and irrigation wire for the irrigation system was not always available due to the car path.  Therefore, crossing the car path in multiple locations was challenging.

Currently, new and different challenges have come up with the addition of numerous drip valves and systems.  Desert Willow has now hired a full-time horticulture specialist who works predominately on the desert landscape.  The desert conversion has saved a significant amount of water and is very aesthetically pleasing.  Golfers and homeowners have agreed that it has been a tremendous improvement for the community.  

I am currently employed by Sun City Summerlin Community Association.  There are three golf courses here that have also participated in the water savings program and removed turf.  We have removed a total of 65 acres and are looking into removing an additional 15 acres to continue our water conservation efforts.