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2001 GCSAA Leadership Survey

The 2001 GCSAA Leadership Survey, a real-time, computerized, opinion poll conducted at GCSAA's conference and show in Dallas, examined the opinions of 990 superintendents on trends in golf and golf course management. The survey is designed to position the golf course superintendent as an expert in trends affecting the golf industry.

Personal technology
Personal technology

Infographs

(Downloadable JPEG images are available by using the links below or clicking on the picture.)


Media coverage of the survey

"The media has an almost unquenchable appetite for data and uses the information from the GCSAA Leadership Survey throughout the year," says Bruce Dodworth, Mullen vice president.

  • Raleigh New Observer, March 20
  • GolfWeek's Superintendent News, March 30
  • Leader Board, March/April issue
  • Golf Today Magazine, April issue
  • Golf Course Management, April issue
  • Minnesota Golfer, April issue
  • Tuscon Citizen, April
  • Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, April 29
  • The Toledo Blade, April 30
  • Golf Coast Monthly, April issue
  • USGA Golf Journal, May issue
  • Golf Digest for Women, May issue
  • Golfdom, May issue
  • Golf World,May 11
  • Boston Herald, May 13
  • Long Island Golfer,May issue
  • Golf Georgia,May/June issue
  • The Grass Roots, May/June issue
  • Philadelphia Golfer, June issue

The GCSAA 2001 Golf Leadership Survey, a real-time, computerized, opinion poll conducted at GCSAA's conference and show in Dallas, examined the opinions of 990 superintendents on trends in golf and golf course management. The survey is designed to position the golf course superintendent as an expert in trends affecting the golf industry.

Are you using recycled water/effluent water on your course today?
Yes 19%
No 78%
Don't know/No answer 03%

 

If yes, what percentages do you use?
Less than 10% 07%
11% - 25% 10%
26%-50% 21%
51%-75% 16%
76% - 100% 40%
Don't know/No answer 05%

 

In your opinion, what single environmental or weather-related condition do you fear might negatively impact your course next year? (Rank top 3)
  1st Choice  2nd Choice  3rd Choice
Drought 45% 15% 07%
Flood 08% 07% 05%
Tornado/Hurricane/Major wind damage 04% 08% 07%
Forest fire 01% 02% 01%
Increased population of geese 05% 07% 09%
Increased population of prairie dogs 01% 0% 01%
Increased population of gophers 01% 03% 02%
Turfgrass disease 14% 24% 18%
Insect damage 03% 09% 13%
Restrictions on pesticide usage 05% 11% 14%
Ice/Snow damage 09% 09% 10%
Other 01% 03% 08%
Don't know/No answer 02% 01% 03%

 

In your opinion, what is the greatest single challenge to the continued improvement of golf course conditions in the next five years?
Increased regulation of water 15%
Increased operating costs 20%
Decreased labor pool 24%
Damage caused by turf disease 2%
Insect overpopulation 0%
Increased rounds of golf 07%
Increased regulation of pesticides 13%
Extreme weather conditions (drought, flood, tornadoes, hurricanes) 09%
Golfer lack of attention to etiquette 07%
Other 02%
Don't know/No Answer 02%

 

In your opinion, what wildlife causes the most destruction on your golf course?
Geese or other ground feeding birds 41%
Deer/Elk 10%
Gophers 09%
Armadillos 06%
Squirrels 02%
Skunks 08%
Raccoons 05%
Snakes 01%
Moles 11%
Possums 0%
Rabbits 02%
Beavers 01%
Don't know/No Answer 11%

 

In your opinion, what is the most beneficial wildlife on your golf course? (Rank top 3)
  1st Choice  2nd Choice  3rd Choice
Hawks 41% 20% 10%
Eagles 05% 08% 04%
Robins 04% 11% 09%
Bats 18% 18% 12%
Snakes 07% 12% 11%
Owls 07% 12% 18%
Other 08% 07% 17%
Don't know/No answer 10% 03% 07%

 

In the last five years, have you added or subtracted wildlife habitat on your golf course?
Added 66%
Subtracted 06%
No change 25%
Don't know/No answer 04%

 

If you have added wildlife habitat ? how much did you add?
1 acre or less 22%
2-5 acres 39%
6-10 acres 13%
10-20 acres 09%
More than 20 acres 13%
Don't know/No answer 03%

 

In your opinion, what insect or pest poses the greatest threat to golf course conditions?  
Beetle  06%
Mole cricket  12%
Tick 02%
Scorpion  01%
Plant/turf-eating pests - gypsy moths, etc. 10%
Root-feeding insects - grubs, etc. 60 60%
Locust 01%
Fly 02%
Don't know/No answer 07%

 

In your opinion, what innovation in golf equipment technology has had the most impact on the game?
Graphite shafts  06%
Metal woods  19%
Alternative spikes 37%
GPS 04%
Golf cars 16%
Golf ball design/materials 14%
Other 01%
Don't know/No answer 04%

 

What do you use the Internet for? (Rank top 2)
  1st Choice  2nd Choice 
Industry information 27% 19%
General information - general news, sports 19% 24%
Commercial purchases 01% 03%
Personal purchases 02% 05%
Communicating with others/email 35% 15%
Accessing information from GCSAA 11% 18%
Other 01% 02%
Don't know/No answer 04% 01%

 

What is the most important piece of personal technology in your job?
Cell phone 17%
PDA - Palm Pilot, Blackberry, etc. 01%
Two-way radio 37%
Fax 01%
Personal computer 41%
Pager 01%
Other 01%
Don't know/No answer 02%

 

What is the most important piece of technology for your golf course operations?
Satellite weather reports 13%
Computerized irrigation 65%
Internet/personal computer 14%
GPS 01%
Other 03%
Don't know/No answer 04%

 

In your opinion, should golf manufacturers market equipment that does not conform to the requirements of the USGA?
Yes 26%
No 66%
Don't know/no answer 08%

 

In your opinion, who is the most influential person in golf?
Arnold Palmer 08%
Ely Callaway (Chairman, Callaway) 01%
David Fay (USGA Executive Director) 09%
Tim Finchem (PGA Tour Commissioner) 10%
Hootie Johnson (Chairman, Augusta National) 01%
Phil Knight (Chairman, Nike) 0%
Mark McCormack (CEO, International Management Group) 01%
Jack Nicklaus 09%
Wally Uihlein (President, Titleist) 01%
Ty Votaw (Commissioner, LPGA) 0%
Tiger Woods 48%
Don't know/No answer 10%
Other - (open ended question) 04%

 

In your opinion, what would you want your course to be bordered by?
Shopping mall 0%
Body of water (ocean, lake, pond) 18%
Naturalized habitat (woods, wetlands, desert) 69%
Housing development 02%
Park 02%
Office complex 01%
Airport 02%
Casino 02%
Interstate highway 01%
Another golf course 02%
Other 01%
Don't know/No answer 02%

 

What is your favorite hole in golf?
12th at Augusta 27%
18th at Pebble Beach 28%
17th at TPC Sawgrass 09%
17th at St. Andrews (Road Hole) 15%
Other - open ended 21%

 

Who is your favorite golf course architect?
Pete Dye 08%
Donald Ross 21%
Robert Trent Jones Sr. 11%
Rees Jones 02%
Tom Fazio 12%
Jack Nicklaus 06%
Michael Hurdzan 05%
Alister MacKenzie 09%
Robert Trent Jones Jr. 03%
Arnold Palmer 03%
Other 13%
Don't know/No answer 08%

 

In the Supreme Court case between Casey Martin and the PGA Tour regarding the use of golf cars by PGA players during PGA tournaments, which side do you support?
Supreme Court 54%
Casey Martin 37%
No opinion 09%

 

What is your favorite professional golf tournament/exhibition to watch on TV?
Masters 53%
US Open 20%
British Open 10%
PGA Championship 02%
Ryder Cup 11%
Skins Game 01%
TPC Championship 01%
Other 02%

 

What team do you think will win the 2001 Ryder Cup?
United States 77%
Europe 15%
Don't know/No answer 08%

 

What is your favorite golf movie?
Legend of Bagger Vance 05%
Tin Cup 15%
Caddyshack 62%
Caddyshack 2 01%
Happy Gilmore 08%
Other 03%
Don't know/No answer 07%

 

If you could play golf with a famous celebrity, who would it be?
Clint Eastwood 10%
Michael Jordan 18%
Regis Philbin 0%
President George W. Bush 16%
Celine Dion 01%
Kevin Costner 05%
Bill Clinton 05%
Oprah Winfrey 01%
Cameron Diaz 09%
Jack Welch 01%
Jack Lemmon 03%
Faith Hill 15%
Other (Open ended) 16%

 

Compared to last year, has your capital budget increased, decreased or stayed the same?
Increased 44%
Decreased 19%
Stayed the same 33%
Don't know/No answer 04%

 

Do you plan on making a major capital expenditure in 2001?
Yes 70%
No 25%
Don't know/No answer 05%

 

If you answered yes to the above, what are you doing? (Check all that apply)
Improving irrigation system 42%
Improving drainage 40%
Resurfacing greens 10%
Buying new maintenance equipment (tractors, mowers) 82%
Buying office computers 16%
Retrofitting golf course to make it handicapped accessible 13%
Constructing new maintenance facility 19%
Don't know/No answer 02%

 

In the next five years, what do you foresee being your single biggest challenge for maintaining your golf course?
Increased pesticide regulation 22%
Increased restrictions on water usage 13%
Increased emission control standards for maintenance equipment 01%
Adherence to noise ordinances 02%
Rise of pesticide-resistant turf diseases 04%
Reduction of labor pool 28%
Reduction of operating budget 11%
Increased traffic/rounds 09%
Endangered species regulations/restrictions 01%
Effluent irrigation 04%
Other 04%
Don't know/No answer  

 

What golf event/exhibition would you most like to host?
PGA Tour event 11%
LPGA Tour event 04%
Senior PGA Tour event 06%
USGA Amateur Event 12%
Made for TV exhibition - Skins game etc. 06%
International tournament - Ryder Cup, President's Cup 09%
PGA Championship  03%
British Open 03%
US Open 20%
None 21%
Other 02%
Don't know/No answer 04%

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