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Is organic golf realistic?
By Matt Nelson
May 2002 |
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Much of our society believes golf course maintenance is inherently bad for the environment. They see golf courses as artificial surfaces that are only possible through rampant and negligent use of fertilizers, pesticides and water. The perceived end result is the degradation of water resources and wildlife habitat and exposure risks to humans and animals.
To be sure, golf turf maintenance represents the horticultural extreme. Yet, our industry has stepped forward to investigate our environmental practices through independent university research studies that the United States Golf Association has helped fund. We have learned to identify best management practices that significantly reduce risk to the environment, and we have also learned that the turfgrass community is an amazingly dynamic system with its own network of environmental safeguards.
There are currently several communities throughout the country lobbying for the elimination of all synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use on golf courses. Without question, these voices are being heard and the stones cast are sending ripples throughout the golf industry. I would hope that those representing our industry will listen to these concerns and address them in logical, open-minded, scientific and concerned fashion.
Our industry has learned an incredible amount regarding golf course management and the environment in recent years. Products with reduced toxicity, mobility and persistence are constantly being developed. Integrated pest management strategies and best management practices are being adopted by numerous golf operations. Improved equipment, mapping technology, record keeping and product storage and handling devices are available. Grasses have been developed that require reduced inputs and have better adaptation to certain conditions. Golf course superintendents' skill and awareness has increased steadily in the last few decades. But, we're a far cry from being able to go "organic."
First, consistently reliable organic substitutes for pest management have yet to be developed and/or proven to replace products currently used to combat the myriad of diseases, insects and weeds found across our country's extremely variable climatic conditions. Testimonials don't cut it, we need scientific validation.
Second, golf is more than a game, it is big business. Our multi-billion-dollar industry supports many families and communities, most of which are inextricably linked to golf course maintenance. Golfers aren't likely to flock to golf courses with extended periods of widespread dead grass and playing conditions reminiscent of the early 1900s. If all-organic regulations are imposed, those are the conditions you can count on.
While you may hear of organic golf course management success stories from places like eastern Long Island or the Oregon coast, bear in mind that there are certain climates where turfgrasses experience significantly less pest pressure and environmental extremes than others. Without even judicious pesticide use, golf courses in St. Louis and Washington D.C. will croak every year from pythium, leaf spot and patch diseases and mole crickets and nematodes will chow through Florida's turf like one gigantic buffet line.
Safeguarding environmental quality should be the primary goal of the golf course industry. Our future depends upon it. Golf courses have and will continue to play an important part of landscape conservation in urban areas. They also are valuable community assets that must recognize diverse interests. But organic golf course management is by no means a reality. Perhaps someday our level of understanding regarding plant science will enable us to get there, but until that time realistic golf course management will continue to utilize management strategies and technological innovations proven to offer agronomic value and the least risk to environmental quality.
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