Over the weekend, Golf.com’s Josh Sens penned a piece (“No water, no problem”) on the site of this year’s US Senior Open site, Newport Country Club, and its lack of irrigation for the fairways. Remember that Newport Country Club was not only host to the Senior Open but was one of the USGA five founding clubs. It was founded in 1893 and was the venue for the first US Open and first US Amateur Championships in 1895. Tiger Woods won the second of his three consecutive US Amateur titles there in 1995. It’s place in the annals of golf’s history is quite secure.
In a game that values its traditions but where clubs often compete in what I call “the space race” for ever more perfect conditions and widely use high tech and high priced means to establish that perfection, this was a welcome change. While the competitors enjoyed more than adequate playing surfaces, they were presented with conditions more similar to (British) Open Championship than those typically found at US Opens. While I don’t know what the maintenance budget is at Newport, I strongly suspect that it’s considerably less than other top American clubs, and the program is likely more environmentally sustainable, if for no other reason than the dramatically reduced water usage.
I have observed for years that top clubs in England and Scotland spend considerably less on golf course maintenance than premiere clubs in the US. While, in many cases this is climate related I see maintenance costs at upscale clubs in the US ranging upward from $2 million per 18 holes, while most top clubs in the UK and Scotland maintain the conditions we American golfers travel to experience for typically well less than $1,000,000 per 18 holes. I recall hearing on TV last month during the US Open broadcast that Pinehurst #2 during its last renovation reduced the number of irrigation heads from 1,750 to 450.
As many in the more arid western and southwestern regions of the United States already know, water is a precious resource. The climate scientists tell us that it’s only a matter of time before water becomes more scarce in other parts of the US and its use regulated. That’s why I promote an idea that may gain favor with both sides of the political aisle that could benefit the golf industry.
While turfgrass experts are constantly developing new varieties that require less water and provide excellent playing surfaces, there are options. Newport and the recent US Open at Pinehurst have both highlighted the use of more efficient irrigation and more natural areas that reduced both chemical and water usage. If golf courses were to become even more environmentally conscious and invest in these types of changes, maybe the politicians in Congress could be convinced to provide tax credits for golf courses that invest in better irrigation systems, drought resistant turfgrasses and renovations that reduce the amount of irrigated turf areas. It seems to me that the political interests of those on the right would be happy with the tax benefits and those on the left would embrace the environmental benefits. Golf courses might be able to reduce operating (maintenance) costs and the investment that could be spurred by this would benefit those industries that serve golf courses and clubs, such as golf course construction, irrigation, turfgrass and more. Win, win, win!
IMHO, the big question here is the acceptance of brown (“green”) golf courses by the American golf consumer. Would (where climate conditions permit) golfers in the US enjoy and embrace the “firm and fast” conditions at home that they spend significant travel dollars to experience in Scotland, Ireland and England? This year’s US Open and US Senior Open could be a trend for golf in the US, which is constantly striving for sustainability. Will other exclusive private clubs, like Newport, consider firm, brown fairways when Mother Nature dictates that?
Later this month, I am headed for the Scottish Highlands for my (lately) annual visit to a style of golf and atmosphere that is truly traditional. I can’t wait. Golf was never supposed to be as “fair” as modern conditions can make it. I’ve learned to enjoy the unexpected bounces, both good and bad. If potentially reducing the cost of my favorite game helps it grow, makes it more environmentally friendly and even more profitable and economically feasible, everybody, including clubs and course owners will realize more value.