Turf battle rages over
golf course chemicals

April 11, 1996
Web posted at: 5:45 p.m. EDT

From Correspondent David Mattingly

GRIFFIN, Georgia (CNN) -- As the world's best golfers walk down the lush green fairways of Augusta National Golf Club this weekend, they are not likely to be wondering if there is an environmental cost linked to the beautiful fairways they hope to conquer.

Many people, however, have been looking into just that question since the issue rose to prominence in the late 1980s. Golf associations, agricultural researchers, grass roots environmental groups, and the U.S. government are all investigating the effect of fertilizer and pesticide use on environments surrounding golf courses.

In the past it was believed by golf course superintendents that high concentrations of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides were necessary to keep a course glowing green, according to Stuart Cohen of Environmental and Turf Services, a turf maintenance company. (77K AIFF sound or 77K WAV sound)

Concerns arose, though, that runoff and seepage from chemicals used for course maintenance may get into public water sources, damaging the environment.

Golfing groups, led by the United States Golfing Association (USGA), say that runoff and seepage from golf courses is really not much of a problem, and that they are addressing the concern in a responsible manner.

They have some support from researchers. Preliminary findings from studies (partially funded by the golfing industry) at the University of Georgia show that most chemicals applied to golf courses tend to stay there. The Georgia researchers say that golf course chemicals, if used properly, pose little threat to the environment or public health.

Some environmental groups, however, feel that the industry and government are minimizing a situation that is faced by nearly every community from coast to coast. They point out that a single course averages about a half ton of chemical pesticides a year, and there are approximately 12,000 golf courses in the United States.

"The fact of the matter is the regulatory process does not protect the public. The golf course industry knows that," said Jay Feldman of the National Association Against the Misuse of Pesticides. "The vast majority of pesticides have not been fully tested under the law, and risk-benefit standard under the federal law is simply not protecting human health and the environment."

The golf industry says it is responding to those concerns with efforts to make course maintenance a "greener" practice. Last month, 16 golf and environmental organizations endorsed a set of environmental principles at the second Conference on Golf and the Environment.

In addition, the USGA maintains a staff of about 15 people to develop new methods of tending golf courses and new strains of grass requiring less maintenance. They also seek alternatives to pesticides and herbicides, such as using beneficial organisms to control pests. The USGA team's findings are used nationwide, on park land and other areas as well as golf courses.

While they applaud research into alternatives, environmental activists still want stricter government regulation.

And course superintendents, meanwhile, have to use what is available to keep their courses in shape for events such as the Masters, for which the beauty of the course has become a trademark.

Related Sites

• CNN Interactive Sports
• U.S. Golf Association Green Section -- information on turf management
• National Coalition against the Misuse of Pesticides
• Turfgrass Links

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