The first half of 2025 provides two clear examples of the importance of engaging with federal and state regulators on the ground. Why is it important to do this? Hosting golf course tours for regulators offers several key benefits for golf facilities, primarily by fostering a positive relationship and improving communication that we hope translates into good public policy.
GCSAA hosted a golf course tour on April 9 for 45 individuals from the U.S. EPA (mostly from the Office of Pesticide Programs) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS, the Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation team). These federal government officials are responsible for administering the EPA’s Endangered Species Act Workplan and associated strategies that will impact future pesticide labels. They also play an integral role in the registration and registration review of pesticides used on golf courses.
Since EPA and USFWS staff help make decisions that impact pesticide labels, it only makes sense to have them understand the footprint of a golf course and to understand how golf courses are professionally managed throughout the year.
The April 9 federal golf tour was hosted by GCSAA members and grassroots ambassadors Eric David, CGCS, at U.S. Naval Academy Golf Club in Annapolis, Md., and Logan Freeman, GCSAA Class A superintendent, at Mountain Branch Golf Club in Joppatowne, Md. Both of the 16-year GCSAA members provided 20-minute presentations that showcased their professional journeys and talked about their passion for the profession. Then they took the tour attendees out onto the golf course to look at five stations of information.
Attendees were able to see how 6 acres of tees and greens are the most intensively managed part of an average 150-acre, 18-hole golf course. David and Freeman showed off different turfgrass types; irrigation systems; state-of-the-art mowing and spraying equipment; the latest golf course management tools; rain gardens; pollinator gardens; bat boxes; and so much more. It was an invaluable hands-on learning experience, and the EPA and USFWS staff asked many thoughtful questions.
In late March, the Washington State Department of Agriculture reached out to GCSAA with a unique request. It was coordinating the Western Region Pesticide Meeting, a gathering of pesticide state lead agency representatives from West Coast states, held in Vancouver, Wash. Topics on the agenda included pesticide user training, worker protection standards and the Endangered Species Act, but the department wanted to visit a golf course so attendees could see golf course management in action.
On April 30, while National Golf Day activities were underway in Washington, D.C., 60 state lead agency representatives traveled across the Columbia River to Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Ore., to participate in another tour. Jim Myers, CGCS, a 32-year association member, and his team opened their doors, giving attendees a firsthand look at how best management practices help protect water quality and wildlife habitat. State representatives in attendance were from Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, as well as Guam and American Samoa.
The tour was a collaborative effort. Friends from EnviroLogic Resources Inc., the USGA and Oregon State University helped Myers provide information on: GCSAA’s BMP initiative; history of the Oregon Stewardship Guidelines; moisture management (wetting agents, data, moisture meters, precision irrigation); nutrient and pest management (water quality studies, clippings management, buffer zones); and cultural practices and habitat considerations.
Feedback from the tours on the coasts for state and federal regulatory officials has been overwhelmingly positive. Facility tours allowed regulators to see a golf course operation firsthand, promoting transparency and building trust. This demonstrated a commitment to compliance and responsible business practices.
Site visits create opportunities for open dialogue and discussion, allowing regulators to clarify doubts and address concerns directly. Hosting tours is a form of proactive engagement, demonstrating a willingness to cooperate and work with regulatory bodies.
GCSAA government affairs will be focused on more of this positive, proactive engagement in the future. Our thanks to the GCSAA staff and members who played an integral role through these tours in advancing the profession.
Chava McKeel is GCSAA’s director of government affairs.