Monthly Feature Hosted By:
	Bob Farren, CGCS, Director of Grounds and Golf Course Management for Pinehurst Resort and Country Club

When asked to describe some characteristics that successful golf course superintendents have in common, two things always come to mind. First, superintendents are good stewards and mangers of their available resources. Second, they develop good relationships with their fellow employees, golfers, community and government. Combining good management with solid relationships can lead to some positive results for the environment and community.

Our case study this month comes from James Houchen, GCSAA Class A member and superintendent at Sand Creek Station, Newton, KS. Sand Creek Station is owned by the City of Newton KS. This Golf Digest’s award winning course is located within a 560 unit subdivision and is a wonderful example of positive collaboration between Newton city officials, property developers, and Representative Todd Tiahrt from the 4th Congressional District of Kansas. The result is a win-win situation where the residents and golfers are benefiting from having a wonderful golf course and the city is benefiting from having an enhanced tax base. But that isn’t the end of the story.

James’ case study demonstrates that having good relationships with various governmental agencies can prove to be a great advantage. These relationships can have a very favorable impact the economic success of a project, such as the identification and procurement of alternative funding. In this case, the collaborators helped to secure funding for the infrastructure needed to provide recycled water as the golf course’s irrigation source. Their work helped to protect an important aquifer and to conserve water within a water sensitive area.

Congratulations to the team at Sand Creek Station and to Representative Tiahrt for their work to improve the environment and economic vitality of the City of Newton, KS.

May's Guest:
	Rep. Todd Tiahrt, 4th Congressional District of Kansas

As an avid golfer, not only do I enjoy the challenges of the game, but I always admire the well-groomed courses and the beautiful landscapes. However, keeping the golf course well manicured and properly irrigated can be an expensive effort – especially for public courses.

As the demand and cost for water continue to rise, many golf courses are opting to use recycled or reclaimed water as it is often called. One of these public golf courses is located in the congressional district I represent, Sand Creek Station in Newton, Kansas.

In 2004, I was able to help secure a $400,000 grant through the Environmental Protection Agency for the City of Newton for wastewater infrastructure improvements. This grant allowed the city to divert its effluent gray water away from a nearby water aquifer, known as the Equus Beds Aquifer, that supplies water for residential, agriculture and industrial uses for much of South-Central Kansas. By using this water for irrigation purposes on its golf course, the City of Newton was able to help safeguard the valuable underground water supply.

The use of reclaimed water at Sand Creek Station has proved to be a beneficial venture not only for the golf course, but also for the entire community and the environment. Recycled water is a reliable source during drought periods compared to city wells and lakes. It is also a cost-effective means of waste water disposal for the city.

In addition, recycled water is more economical than other water sources that could be used to irrigate the golf course. The impact on the environment has been positive because the turf grass provides a natural filtration system for the recycled water, reducing chances of contaminated groundwater.

Using reclaimed water for golf courses is a win-win situation. As the demand for water continues to increase, we must look for creative options that allow us to keep our golf courses operational and environmentally sustainable for the future. The City of Newton project will accomplish both.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt
4th Congressional District of Kansas