Oklahoma superintendents create Best Management Practices guide
Lawrence, Kan. (Sept. 8, 2020) – The work of the Oklahoma Golf Course Superintendents Association has resulted in the publication of “Oklahoma Golf Industry Best Management Practices”.
The Oklahoma BMPs were developed in part by using the BMP Planning Guide and Template created by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and funded and supported by the USGA.
The Oklahoma GCSA received a $10,000 BMP grant that GCSAA funded through the association’s Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) in part by the PGA Tour. The BMP grant program provides funding through the EIFG to chapters for developing new guides, updating existing guides or for verification programs. GCSAA’s goal is to have all 50 states offer established BMPs by the end of 2020.
The BMPs provide guidance in 12 key areas including maintenance operations, surface water management, nutrient management, integrated pest management and pollinator protection.The “Oklahoma Golf Industry Best Management Practices Guide” or “BMP Guide” in shorter terms, covers areas ranging from design and construction to pesticide management to water quality and wildlife protection. The BMP guide was a collaborative effort and the OKGCSA would like to especially thank the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the United States Golf Association (USGA), the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour, and the Environmental Institute For Golf (EIFG) for grant support in funding the BMP Guide initiative. The BMP Guide can be accessed from the home page of the OKGCSA at: http://okgcsa.com/
Chris Cook, superintendent at Bailey Ranch Golf Club in Owasso, Okla., served as chairman of the BMP steering committee.
“Oklahoma is a midwestern state with a community of people who hold midwestern values. Superintendents here love their families, neighbors, and the outdoors,” Cook said. “We manage beautiful green spaces where people can spend quality time and work hard to make a positive environmental impact. We believe this BMP guide will help us continue to do that for years to come.”
In addition to Cook, others who served on the Oklahoma BMP Steering Committee In collaboration with Radius Sports Group, a sustainability consulting firm, include Jeremy Biswell, superintendent at Belmar Golf Club in Norman, Okla.; John Daniels, USGA agronomist in Dallas, Texas; Dustin Harris, extension associate and MS candidate, Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University; Brad Jolliff, superintendent at Kickingbird Golf Club in Edmond, Okla.; Dennis Lindemann, account executive for Professional Turf Products in Euless, Texas; Nick Neal, superintendent at Canyons at Blackjack Ridge in Sand Springs, Okla.; Devin O’Neil, superintendent at Golf Club of Oklahoma in Broken Arrow, Okla.; Daniel Mills, superintendent at Duncan Golf and Tennis Club in Oklahoma City; Justin Moss, Ph.D., professor and department Head, Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture at Oklahoma State University; Cody Osborne, territory manager for BWI Cos. in Edmond, Okla.; Jason Vogel, Ph.D., P.E., director, Oklahoma Water Survey and professor, Civil Engineering and Environmental Science, at the University of Oklahoma; Johnny Walker, GCSAA South Central regional field representative; Charles Wise, superintendent at WinStar Golf Club in Thackerville, Okla.