Colorado Golf Industry Best Management Practices
The Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association (RMGCSA) published a Colorado Golf Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide in 2019 to provide standards of golf maintenance across twelve key areas to drive environmental stewardship, economic impact, and optimal golf course conditions. The Colorado Golf Industry BMP Guide provides an educational reference for Colorado superintendents and golf maintenance professionals, the industry, community, regulators, and state legislators.
Colorado Golf Industry BMP Guide highlights include:
BMPs to promote water conservation and quality, wildlife habitats, and pollinator protection.
Sections include planning, designing and construction; irrigation; surface water management; water quality monitoring and management; nutrient management; cultural practices; integrated pest management; pesticide management; pollinator protection; maintenance operations; landscape; and energy.
RMGCSA members were provided education online, via email, social media platforms, and at the annual RMGCSA state education conference with more than 350 superintendents, assistants, and golf maintenance professionals in attendance.
Access the Colorado Golf Industry BMP Guide at https://rmgcsa.org/CO_BMP_Guide_E-magazine
“We're proud that Colorado golf facilities are leaders in environmental stewardship. Our BMPs are focused on protecting the environment, promoting optimal playing conditions, and preserving natural resources.”
Kyle Merritt, Superintendent Eaton Country Club, President RMGCSA
Colorado Community Safety
The health and safety of Coloradans is the highest priority of Colorado golf courses. Pandemics and other crises can involve circumstances where golf course play must be modified to help ensure public safety while providing recreational opportunities. The golf industry collaborated to establish “Back2Golf,” a plan outlining operational guidelines for golf facilities which adhere to nationally established protocols and best practices in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. For additional information: http://wearegolf.org/back2golf/.
BMPs were developed at the facility level to limit touch points in order to reduce risks and help provide safe playing conditions.
It is important to adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html
For additional resources related to golf course recreation and operations, visit:
https://www.coloradogolf.org/covid-qna/