Landscape Architect Articles

2008 February LSMP Around the Grounds: Golf Course Saves Water, Sets Example03-03-08 | News

Golf Course Saves Water, Sets Example

Established in 1962, Pinetree Country Club in Cobb County, GA ?EUR??,,????'??+ near Atlanta?EUR??,,????'??+only uses water taken from a lake on the 16th hole to irrigate its course.

As a landscape superintendent you understand the vital role water plays on the grounds you care for. For golf course superintendents, trying to maintain fields of green can be an even greater challenge, especially when your region is in the midst of a historic drought. Battling government regulation and public perception can seem overwhelming when trying to keep your facility running smoothly and above water (pun intended). But one business in Cobb County, near Atlanta Georgia has decided to fight for its survival. And in doing so, it is setting an example for other courses.

There?EUR??,,????'???s nothing glitzy about the Pine Tree Country Club in Kennesaw.

?EUR??,,????'??These are regular people that enjoy golf for recreation,?EUR??,,????'?? explained Pine Tree general manager Barbara Jodoin. ?EUR??,,????'??We have middle class families that belong to this club. These are people who worked very hard for their success.?EUR??,,????'??

Pine Tree is a reflection of its membership.

?EUR??,,????'??We are not the evil stewards of consumption,?EUR??,,????'?? Jodoin emphasized. ?EUR??,,????'??We are really stewards of concern.?EUR??,,????'??

Pine Tree Country Club does not use a single drop of drinking water on its golf course.

On hole 16, a 14 million gallon lake. The lake supplies the 110 acre golf course with every drop of water that it uses. The good news is the recent rains have filled the lake to capacity. The bad news is Pine Tree still faces severe restrictions by the state.

?EUR??,,????'??We are only allowed to water greens,?EUR??,,????'?? said Jodoin. ?EUR??,,????'??Which is a serious hardship for golf courses as we come into the spring and summer months. We could lose significant turf very quickly.?EUR??,,????'??

Pinetree installed a new weather station to better monitor conditions on the course. Complete with a computer controlled irrigation system, and pumping station, the course can now get the most out of the very little water it affords itself.

But Pine Tree has put in a new weather station to better monitor conditions. It has installed a new computer controlled irrigation system, and a new energy efficient pumping station.

?EUR??,,????'??It allows them to accurately apply the water where they need it, and when they need it and it makes it easier to do,?EUR??,,????'?? explained irrigation system expert Mike Williamson. ?EUR??,,????'??It also enables the golf course to shut down the irrigation system mid-cycle if the amount of rainfall reaches a certain level.?EUR??,,????'??

Pine Tree employs 85 full time staff. Yes it is a country club, but it is also a business.

?EUR??,,????'??To stand and shake your fist at the government is not going to change anything?EUR??,,????'?? admitted Barbara Jodoin. ?EUR??,,????'??We?EUR??,,????'???re trying to take care of business today, and we?EUR??,,????'???re taking a very positive, pro-active approach.?EUR??,,????'??

The Pine Tree Country Club will be installing water saving measures in its club house, and will be installing a cistern to use rainwater to top up its swimming pool. Pine Tree has formed a community coalition to find ways to use water as wisely as possible. The ideas that work there, can work for everyone.

Source: 11 Alive News, GA