Louisiana, Mississippi latest states to publish BMP guidelines for golf courses
The Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA leads the development of statewide best management practices with a grant from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
Lawrence, Kan. – The hard work of the Louisiana-Mississippi Golf Course Superintendents Association has resulted in the publication of two documents for best management practices for golf courses in the states, “Nutrient BMPs for Golf Courses in Louisiana and Mississippi” and “Water Resource Management BMPs for Golf Courses in Louisiana and Mississippi”. The documents are now available in GCSAA’s online BMP tool.
The Louisiana-Mississippi BMPs were developed in part by using the BMP Planning Guide and Template created by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded and supported by the USGA.
The Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA received $18,350 in BMP grants that GCSAA funded through the association’s Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) in part by the PGA Tour. The BMP grant program provides funding through the EIFG to chapters for developing new guides, updating existing guides or for verification programs. GCSAA’s goal is to have all 50 states offer established BMPs by the end of 2020.
The Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA is primarily comprised of superintendents from both states, and the BMPs are relevant to both.
Stephen Miles, CGCS, director of golf operations at The Preserve Club in Vancleave, Miss., was part of the Louisiana-Mississippi GCSA BMP Steering Committee.
“The LMGCSA recognizes that environmental stewardship is a great business management plan for the game of golf and simply means being more efficient with the resources we use on a daily basis,” Miles said. “The best management practices developed for Louisiana and Mississippi are based on scientific principles that can help golf course superintendent make the best decisions possible for their facility. BMPs help improve our operation, protect our environment and protect the game we love.”
In addition to Miles, other GCSAA members who serves on the committee include Jeremy Stevens, superintendent at The Preserve Club in Vancleave, Miss.; Mitch O’Banion, superintendent at Money Hill Golf & Country Club in Abita Springs, La.; Brandon Reese, director, golf course operations, at TPC Louisiana in Avondale, La.; and Ron Wright, CGCS, GCSAA Southeast regional field representative.
Representatives from Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University also played key roles including Jeff Beasley, Ph.D., associate professor, LSU AgCenter; Jay McCurdy, Ph.D., assistant professor, MSU; Brian LeBlanc, Ph.D, professor, LSU AgCenter, and Louisiana Sea Grant at LSU; Barry Stewart, Ph.D., associate professor, MSU; Beth Baker, Ph.D., MSU; and Stacia Davis Conger, Ph.D., LSU AgCenter.
To read “Nutrient BMPs for Golf Courses in Louisiana and Mississippi” and “Water Resource Management BMPs for Golf Courses in Louisiana and Mississippi” and to learn more about GCSAA’s BMP program, visit www.gcsaa.org/bmp.
About GCSAA and the EIFG
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) is a leading golf organization in the United States. Its focus is on golf course management, and since 1926 GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the U.S. and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to nearly 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. The association’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit our industry-leading magazine at GCMonline.com.
The Environmental Institute for Golf is the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA. Its mission is to foster sustainability through research, awareness, education, programs and scholarships for the benefit of golf course management professionals, golf facilities and the game. Visit EIFG at www.eifg.org, or find us on Facebook or Twitter.
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