Lawrence, Kansas, United States: The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will seek critically needed data from superintendents regarding property details and environmental stewardship practices to support the profession and industry as part of the on-going efforts to maintain necessary golf course management resources.

To collect the data, an in-depth questionnaire will be sent electronically to superintendents at approximately 14,000 facilities.

The property profile and environmental stewardship practices survey is part of the third phase of GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile survey programme, which consists of three surveys that are funded by the GCSAA Foundation. The property profile and environmental stewardship practices survey will be open through to October 17.

Since 2006, the data collected has enabled GCSAA to help members succeed and support the golf industry.

The GCSAA said it needs representation from across the US from members, non-members and all facility types. “Superintendents should look for an email from the National Golf Foundation, which is conducting the survey on behalf of the GCSAA, or find access on GCSAA’s website,” said a spokesperson for the Association.

The Golf Course Environmental Profile survey programme will be administered by Mark Johnson, Director of Environmental Programmes for GCSAA. The information will be analysed independently by J. Bryan Unruh and Travis Shaddox. All superintendents should participate, and those who complete the survey will receive 0.50 service points and be entered into a draw for prizes. 

“The data from the surveys has been vital in our efforts to advocate for the profession and industry,” said GCSAA President Kevin Breen, Superintendent at La Rinconada Country Club in California. “It demonstrates the proactive environmental best practices that superintendents use to maintain their facilities.”

The results from the property profile and environmental stewardship practices survey will be announced in 2023 and compared against numbers published from the first phase in 2007 and the second phase in 2017.

This is the last of three surveys in the third phase. The first survey, Water Use and Management Practices, was conducted in the fall of 2021 with results announced in July of 2022. The second, Nutrient Use and Pest Management survey was conducted in the spring of 2022 with results to come later this year. All the topics closely mirrored the first two phases.