Bold landscapes abound in Nevada, from the Sierra Nevada to the Mojave Desert. Golf contributes greatly to the state’s tourism industry, with travelers spending an estimated $744.3 million on golf-related activities in 2018. Photo courtesy of the Southern Nevada GCSA
The Sierra Nevada GCSA and the Southern Nevada GCSA have collaborated to publish the Nevada Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide.
The Nevada BMPs were developed in part using the BMP Planning Guide and Template from GCSAA, which was funded by the association’s Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) through support from the USGA.
The two GCSAA-affiliated chapters received $15,000 in BMP grants from GCSAA, funded in part by the PGA Tour. The BMP grant program administers funding through the EIFG to GCSAA-affiliated chapters for developing new guides or updating existing guides, or for verification programs. GCSAA’s goal is to have all 50 states offer established BMPs by 2020.
Nevada’s BMP manual consists of 13 sections: planning, design and construction; irrigation; water management; nutrient management; cultural practices; integrated pest management; pesticide management; pollinator protection; maintenance operations; landscape; energy; air quality; and community engagement.
The Nevada BMP committee began work on the BMPs in October 2018 with the assistance of Radius Sports Group, a Reno, Nev.-based sustainability consulting firm. Gina Rizzi, president of Radius Sports Group, served as co-chair of the committee, along with Jeff Jensen, GCSAA field staff representative for the Southwest region.
GCSAA members who served on the committee were Scott Delpiere, superintendent at Cascata Golf Club in Boulder City, Nev.; Dale Hahn, CGCS, golf course maintenance director at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas; Jeff Lezon, CGCS, superintendent at Aliante Golf Club in North Las Vegas; Scott Sutton, director of agronomy at The Club at Sunrise in Las Vegas; Robert Williams, director of agronomy at The Club at ArrowCreek in Reno, Nev; and Patrick Watson, conservation services administrator for the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
“We have two very distinct geographical regions in the state,” says Jensen. “So coming together to create a document that addresses the needs of all was extremely important.”
In addition to outlining best management practices in each of its 13 sections, the Nevada BMP manual features links to state regulatory requirements as well as a color-coded guide in each section that indicates BMPs that are required, those that are recommended and those that exceed expectations. Through the diverse information within the publication, the committee was able to identify agronomic concerns in both the north and south regions of Nevada.
“(The BMPs) are going to help superintendents be able to communicate their concerns and educate golfers, lawmakers, regulatory agencies and communities on the sustainability and water management efforts of golf courses in the state,” Jensen says. “It’s important to share the message that golf is good for the state.”
View all state BMP documents and learn more about GCSAA’s BMP program.