Golf Courses Respond to Drought

Our area’s Level Four watering ban is causing some headaches for area golf courses, but the ones we surveyed seem to have things well in hand at this point.

Rules of Drought Response Level Four prohibit golf courses from all outdoor watering, with the exception of irrigation of greens. They may water fairways and tees using only reclaimed wastewater.

Golf Course Superintendents are already experts on water conservation. Mark Hoban at Rivermont Country Club says that the club monitors its water
needs for turf grasses and measures its greens for moisture on a daily basis, watering only when necessary.

“We have not changed our practice because of the drought conditions in the Level 4 stage. In all other turf grass areas, we have made adjustments by raising mowing heights, controlling golf cart traffic, and applying plant protectants that will aid water uptake and retain soil moisture,” Hoban reported.

He also stated that Rivermont is converting an additional two acres of managed turf grass into a non-irrigated, non-mowed, and non-fertilized area of drought-tolerant grasses and native plant material that requires less water.

“We are looking toward the long term of reducing our future water and resource needs and increasing our ability to control run-off by keeping tall grasses along lakes and streams, and increasing the wildlife populations by providing additional food sources and cover for animals. We are also continuing our nest-box program,” he said.

Hoban also said that Rivermont is replacing “full circle” irrigation sprinkler heads to “part circle” heads to further conserve water.

“We have met with Fulton County representatives to tie into the re-use water treatment plant that is under construction near our facility, so that our long term water needs will not impact state waters,” he said.

Hoban went on to say that one of the good points resulting from the water restrictions is better communication with the membership at Rivermont.

“The golfers are a bit more aware that just because the fairways are not as lush and green as they once were, they are still able to play the ball down and the get the bonus of extra yardage on the roll-out. They have been more receptive to the conversion of out-of-play areas (tee surrounds and edges of the course) into areas of tall, un-maintained native and drought-hardy grass types. Even though the occasional shot into these grasses is comparable to hitting it into the ocean, you have to reload.

“We have seen some areas, where we have shallow soils, not fully recover from the lack of water, and other areas that golfers were sure were dead, make a complete recovery. The full story of the damage won’t be known until next spring -- our weakened turf has to survive the winter weather.”

Ken Mangum at the Atlanta Athletic Club also says that the Level 4 water restrictions have had little impact on the club from the golf standpoint.

“We [the AAC] were the first to sign up for re-use water from the new Cauley Creek Plant back in late 2001. All irrigation and wash areas have been converted to re-use water. This plant produces excellent quality water that has virtually eliminated our use of water from the river,” he said.

“We have had a permit to pump out of the river since the course moved here in the 1960’s, but realized that we needed another water source for the future. As the water demand continues to increase, human consumption will always have priority over recreational uses. Using reuse water instead of taking it out of the river is just the right
thing to do,” he added.

Mangum feels that it’s unfortunate that much of the metro area does not have the infrastructure and piping in place to distribute the reuse water that’s available.

“Some of the older plants also do not produce the same high quality water that the Cauley Creek plant does. More plants and dual piping can help reduce the amount of potable water used for irrigation,” he said.

Though neither Rivermont nor the Atlanta Athletic Club’s courses have suffered greatly from the watering ban, Hoban still takes exception to the Level 4 Drought rules.

“I am disappointed that golf courses are being lumped into the Level 4 rule because we have been leaders in water conservation in the ways stated above, and in turf grass selections, and our management practices and plans have been submitted to the State. I don’t know of any other group of water-use industries that can even come close to saying that. We have the tools to monitor our water needs daily and I look at our group as some of the last bastions of green spaces and protectors of the environment and its wildlife,” he said.