USGA's Water Summit tackles golf's use of water

• By Steve Burkowski
• Nov 6, 2012 12:00 PM ET

GRAPEVINE, Texas – The U.S. Golf Association held its first ever Water Summit Tuesday outside Dallas, where a collection of experts in water resource management, golf course management and scientific research made the trip to the Lone Star state to discuss one of the most important issues facing the game.

Water continues to be an extraordinarily valuable resource, but it is still an imperative element in golf course maintenance. One of the main goals of the summit – which will conclude Wednesday – is to find innovative solutions in order to preserve the sustainability of golf. The USGA is realistic with its approach, knowing this meeting is just the first step in a long process of educating the industry on challenges regarding water.

A few key items:

• The USGA has long been at the forefront of promoting environmental sustainability, as its mission dates back to 1920 when the USGA Green Section was established.

• The USGA has provided more than $40 million in research grants since 1983, to help with the development of dozens of turfgrass varieties that are more resistant to heat, thus requiring less water.

• Golf uses 1/2 of 1 percent of the water in the U.S.