This issue of Club Director focuses on one of the most important issues facing not only the club community these days, but on one of the most important issues facing our nation and the world—the environment. There are plenty of things to debate about this issue—some scientific, some emotional and some political. One thing, however, all of us in the club world and especially in the golf community should not debate is the need for those in leadership positions within the club industry, to speak out about the positive role our clubs play when it comes to the environment.
When it comes to the environment, the record of the private club industry and the game of golf is one of innovation, care and success. Each year, organizations like the U.S.Golf Association and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America invest millions of dollars to develop turf that requires less water and less chemicals to maintain. Educational programs for general managers and golf course superintendents focus on ways they can operate their clubhouses and golf courses in a more environmentally friendly manner. Clubs with golf course facilities provide acres of open space. In my neck of the woods, the Metropolitan New York area, there are more than 400 golf courses in close proximity to New York City, and they provide a wonderful buffer to the buildings, highways and asphalt of urban sprawl. Providing a refuge for wildlife, preventing runoff and protecting our water supplies, and turning carbon gases into oxygen are just some of the positive outcomes our industry is fostering, and the list goes on and on.
Why, then, are private clubs and golf so often the target of negative reporting when it comes to the environment? I think there are two basic reasons. Most reporters don’t know much about golf or private clubs. They view the game or club life in general as elitist, so it’s easy to knock. It’s sad, because this is almost all the non-golfing public hears and it creates a negative perception about anything that has to do with golf or private clubs. This brings me to my second reason as to why we are getting so much negative press: those of us in the club industry have gotten lazy. All too often we sit back and don’t do or say anything about the good things we are doing. We wait until a negative article appears and then we try to play catch up with the media and the general public. And, let’s face it, when it comes to golf and private clubs, the media and the public are not going to be our advocates so, unless we work at it, we are always going to be facing an uphill battle.
Strive for a Great Environmental Record
So, what do we do? First, recognize that, while our record is good, it’s not perfect, and everyone in a position of influence should look at every aspect of the operation of our clubs and ask what more can we be doing to improve our environment. If we have a good environmental record, let’s work at every level within our industry to make it a great environmental record. Every club should have an Environmental Committee as a standing committee with real authority to work with general managers and golf course superintendents to provide direction on the way the club house is operated and the golf course is maintained. Recycling programs, energy audits, limiting the use of water and chemicals, and outreach programs for local schools and community groups to showcase environmental programs are good practices that all clubs should be following.
I also have a special request for my fellow golfers and club members, because perhaps your role is the most important. We all have to learn to match member expectations with the realities of today’s world. We have to learn to accept a bit less when it comes to our golf courses and accept some new things when it comes to club operations. First, please forget about Augusta National and what you see on television every April, or at the U.S. Open at Bethpage this year—that’s “la la land.” Realize what it takes to produce those conditions—more water, more intense maintenance practices, and, not to mention, more money. Also remember that those golf courses are being prepared for one special week, for the best players in the world. A little brown around the edges and a more natural look is not only acceptable, it will probably improve playing conditions. I can’t tell you how many golfing friends come back from a trip to Scotland or Ireland and brag, “The greens were a bit brown and slow, but it was great—golf the way it was meant to be played.” Then two weeks later, at his home club, that same golfer complains if the greens aren’t putting at 12’ on the stimpmeter and everything isn’t as green as the Emerald City. The same goes for the clubhouse—can we do with a little less air conditioning and maybe even shorter hours of operations? Doing things that are good for the environment are also good for the bottom line and, in these challenging economic times, that’s not such a bad thing for clubs.
Green is the Future
Speaking of economic challenges, I know that all clubs are working hard to ensure that they will not only survive, but thrive. Today, clubs look at ways to reduce expenses and operate more efficiently and, as noted above, apply eco-friendly practices. What is really most important to the long-term health of most private clubs, however, is attracting members. While many might not think of it, I, for one, feel that attracting members is also directly linked to the environment. For the next generation of potential members, the environment is going to be a central part of their everyday lives and will be a factor in all of their major lifestyle decisions—including whether or not to join a private club, and what private club they will join. As an industry, we have to work harder than ever to change public perception when it comes to our clubs and the environment, and every club has to be sure that it is looked at as a positive part of their local community. If we don’t do these things, the most important factor in determining the future success of our industry, attracting the next generation of members to our clubs, will be difficult or impossible.
So, our job is not an easy one but, in my mind, we have no choice. When it comes to the environment, we have to go the extra mile and make a good record even better. We have to take a proactive position and be passionate about the great things we have accomplished, and then be sure the work we are doing is recognized both within and outside the club community.