Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2016 - 7

FRONT
BY THE NUMBERS
Ahead of the Deluge
Protecting water rights for Minnesota golf courses. 6M >CG9D< C69F@9
T
here is a water shortage problem growing in the United
States, and before it affects Minnesota, local officials
have been working to bolster the water rights of the local
golf course industry.
Currently, golf courses are considered a Category 6, non-essential
water user, which puts them on par with luxury water consumers,
such as homeowners washing their cars or watering their
lawns. But Jack MacKenzie, executive director of the Minnesota
Golf Course Superintendents' Association (MGCSA), has been
working to protect the golf industry despite that designation.
" Golf is considered a Category 6 water user, which is the lowest
[priority] level in the state, " MacKenzie says. " And that category
wasn't based on any economic value, or anything that we can figure
out. It was just created. "
About seven years ago, MacKenzie, the former superintendent
at North Oaks Golf Club, teamed up with Paul Diegnau, the
longtime super at Keller Golf Course, to put together the Environmental
Stewardship and Best Management Practices Certification
Program designed to combat the issue.
More recently, the MGCSA has joined with local golf associations
(including the MGA) and has been lobbying the legislature.
They are also working with the Department of Natural
Resources, not necessarily to change the Category 6 designation,
but to create some flexibility in the DNR's appropriation of water
permits that would allow for a staged reduction in usage (70 percent)
during drought conditions.
" The goal is to offer a BMP program in exchange for assurances
of limited water during a drought so a business such as golf
can retain its viability, " MacKenzie says.
MacKenzie says the industry recognizes its use of water, but
he rejects the common misperception that golf abuses it, saying
that's a bad business practice. Rather, the industry creates thousands
of jobs, attracts tourism dollars and enhances the lifestyle
of the more than 650,000 golfers in the state. Plus, golf courses
create an excellent means for water management as rain gardens.
" Golf courses are the community's largest rain gardens, "
MacKenzie says. " Let's start using them for the storm water management
and pollution mitigation that they provide. "
In late March, representatives of the superintendents, course
owners, club managers and MGA attended the Golf Industry Day
on the Hill at the state legislature, and found plenty of support
for a bill-but there was not enough time in that session to take
it through the proper committees. MacKenzie figures it will eventually
get done, but it will take a couple years. In the meantime,
he keeps spreading the word.
" It's not a crisis because we are out ahead of it, " says MacKenzie.
" But everybody [in the industry] has to be aware that our
water resources are not protected. "
70,000 7.8 BILLION
Acreage of land in
Minnesota devoted to
golf (approximately
490 golf destinations).
www.mngolf.org
Gallons
of water
managed by professional
golf course
superintendents
annually.
35 BILLION
Gallons of
water used
annually by
urban homeowners to
water their lawns.
27%
Decrease in water
consumption by Upper
Midwest courses
in the last decade,
according to GCSAA.
$2.4 BILLION
Revenue generated
by golf for direct and
indirect economic
stimulus in the state.
Summer 2016 MINNESOTAGOLFER
5
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2016

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