Golf Channel is celebrating 'Water Week,' which begins today, and will focus on golf course water conservation and best practices for courses to combat obstacles they are facing with respect to water consumption. The network's daily news and lifestyle program, Morning Drive, throughout the week (7-9 a.m. ET) will invite industry experts to weigh in on the subject; dedicate features on courses on the forefront of battling the issue; and showcase a two-part roundtable discussion which will outline the biggest determinants contributing to the issue, as well as highlight the potential solutions for long-term stability and sustainability. And on Thursday, NGCOA CEO Jay Karen will make an appearance to discuss the issue as it related to golf course operators and superintendents.
Schedule of Guests:
Monday, Nov. 8 - Golf course design and architecture author Geoff Shackelford will raise concerns about the water issues facing golf course operators and superintendents in California.
Tuesday, Nov. 9 - Part I of a roundtable discussion on the biggest issues facing golf courses when it comes to water consumption. Panelists are among some of the game's leading experts on the issue, including: Bob Farren, Director of Grounds and Golf Course Maintenance, Pinehurst Resort; Craig Kessler, Director of Governmental Affairs at Southern California Golf Association; Jim Moore, Director of the USGA Green Section Education Program; and Dana Lonn, Managing Director, Center for Advanced Turf Technology, The Toro Company.
Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will consider the pressure on superintendents of balancing water conservation efforts with high expectations from golfers for immaculate playing conditions.
Thursday, Nov. 11 - Steve Symers, Vice President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA) will weigh in on water conservation from a course designer perspective, and discuss how new courses are being designed with water conservation in mind. NGCOA CEO Jay Karen also will join to discuss how the issue is affecting golf course operators and superintendents.
Friday, Nov. 12 - John Ashworth, founder of Linksoul golf apparel will bring to light a separate project he became involved in, at Goat Hill Park, a golf course along the coast of Southern California which was on the verge of extinction before Ashworth organized a rally around it.
Saturday, Nov. 13 - Part II of the industry expert roundtable discussion will center around golf course water conservation best practices, and ways to reduce water consumption.
Features Schedule:
Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Pinehurst Resort: A look at Pinehurst No. 2, site of the 2014 U.S. Open in the Sandhills region of North Carolina, and how the decision to restore the course to its original design meant moving away from the mindset that it had to look green and lush to be considered a pristine venue suitable for a major championship.
Thursday, Nov. 11 - Pasatiempo Golf Club: Examining a model example of golf course water conservation after Pasatiempo received a mandated water restriction put in place by the city of Santa Cruz, Calif. In response, the Club developed an aggressive renovation plan to restore irrigated turf with native grasses and installed a sprinkler system which contributed to a reduction of 20 million gallons of water used in a given year, and a savings of $100,000 in annual maintenance costs.
Friday, Nov. 12 - Goat Hill Park: The story of an 18-hole municipal golf course north of San Diego which was in complete disrepair, on the verge of extinction and close to being sold before Ashworth stepped in to help salvage the public park and restore it while conserving water by focusing on turf reduction, focusing on water efficiency, transitioning to a drought tolerant grass, and establishing a plan with the city to implement reclaimed water.
Saturday, Nov. 13 - Poppy Hills Golf Course: On the forefront of golf course water conservationism and long-term sustainability, Poppy Hills has developed a technology-driven system - with the help of The Toro Company - along with an irrigation redesign, a grass that requires minimal water, and a commitment to the using of reclaimed water to provide a consistent playability for golfers while establishing a systematic approach to saving water.
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