Environment And Evolution Will Shape Golf

The appearance of giant hogweed, which can blister skin and potentially blind somebody, out east is an example of how the environment can change.

Hopefully, hogweed doesn’t affect golf courses out there or spread west, but it illustrates the point that, as golf courses, we have to be aware of the environment.

We need to be on the leading edge, Gone are the days of not worrying about what you’re putting down. We need to be very sensitive about the environment, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also to protect the future.

There are going to be new species of plants and trees because that’s evolution and, as a result, what will be the look of golf courses in the future?

Water restrictions, for example, are going to come over time, so what effect with they have?

At Cottonwood, we’re very big on course beautification. We plant lots of flowers and we have lots of colour, We’ve got a team of three or four that is directed by a horticulturalist. That’s important to our owner, Lyle Edwards, and always has been.

That’s what make us unique. We’re not bare prairie, but at some point in the future, will budgets or water restrictions limit what we can do in our efforts?

Will there be more rough and environmentally-sensitive areas that we don’t have to cut and don’t have to spend labour hours on?

I think golf courses 40 years from now are going to look pretty much the same as they do now, but what will the generation after that see? There are going to be environmental restrictions and if a golf course is looking after the environment, people are going to want to be part of that.

Our superintendent, Jay Leach, is very sensitive and doesn’t put down anything that would have any environmental concerns. I think most superintendents are like that – they work hard to find products that won’t hurt anybody or the environment.

They carry a big flag and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with the same guy for 20 years, but he isn’t the only one with an eye on the environment. Look at James Beebe at Priddis Greens near here.

Every superintendent’s mandate is to make sure the golf course is cared for and the environment is protected and they’re making sure that happens, but there may come a time when golf courses have to change as part of the evolution of the game and the environment.

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