Golf course owners, superintendent associations collaborate on multiple initiatives

As the golf course management industry comes together in San Diego this week for the annual Golf Industry Show, the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) announce their intentions to collaborate on several important initiatives aimed at strengthening the golf industry and enhancing the knowledge shared between superintendents and owners.

NGCOA and GCSAA will continue working in cooperation on the following programs:

• NGCOA will help match course owners and operators with GCSAA’s First Green program, an innovative environmental and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education outreach program using golf courses as environmental learning labs.

• NGCOA will encourage course owners and operators to have their golf course management staff join GCSAA to accelerate their professional skills and positive impact at the golf course business.

• GCSAA will encourage GCSAA members to have their facilities join NGCOA to take advantage of a variety of business-related benefits.

• NGCOA will publish important turf and water management news and findings from GCSAA that is most relevant to facility owners and operators to help them make informed decisions about the most important physical asset at their businesses, the golf course.

• NGCOA will promote GCSAA’s Best Management Practices (BMP) initiative, including development and adoption of state and facility BMPs created through GCSAA’s BMP Planning Guide and Template to support model operations with regard to nutrient, drought, water and pest management.

• GCSAA will offer insight and expertise to NGCOA’s Top Agronomic Officer (TAO) special interest group, that represents the nation’s largest multi-course operations. The biennial meeting of the TAO will continue to take place at the GIS.

• GCSAA and NGCOA will continue to collaborate on any advocacy and research initiatives aimed at advancing the interests and health of the golf industry.

“As long as maintaining land and water is an important part of the golf business, you will see a close working relationship between NGCOA and GCSAA,” said Jay Karen, NGCOA CEO. “While the golf industry is quite large in many ways, the industry is too small not to work closely together on our most important initiatives. I look forward to continuing our work with GCSAA.”

“As allied associations both working to grow the game of golf and to improve the professional lives of the men and women who make their living from this great game, collaboration between GCSAA and NGCOA benefits us all,” Rhett Evans, GCSAA CEO said. “We look forward to a continuing our close relationship with NGCOA and its members.”

About the NGCOA

The National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) is the leading authority on the business of golf course ownership and management. The association represents and promotes the interests of golf courses as the principal businesses and economic assets of the game of golf. The not-for-profit organization is the only trade association dedicated exclusively to golf course owners and operators. Through advocacy, education and information resources, purchasing programs and networking opportunities, the NGCOA helps golf course owners and operators run more successful businesses. For more information, visit www.ngcoa.org or call 800-933-4262.

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 more than 18,000 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.

Media Contact:

Renee Flowers
Director of Marketing and Communications
rflowers@ngcoa.org