Golf's long-running efforts to secure a voice in discussions affecting the industry in the Carolinas continue to bear fruit. Carolinas GCSA Executive Director Tim Kreger was part of a select roundtable group that met recently with Federal EPA Chief Scott Pruitt and other high-ranking officials in South Carolina. Pruitt's visit was part of a multi-state tour gathering information for the EPA's plan to rescind and replace a federal rule governing waters of the United States known as WOTUS.

Kreger outlined potential major problems for the golf industry that could arise as a result of "ambiguous language in the rule" to the group that also included Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), South Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Kreger stressed that superintendents are committed to environmental stewardship and golf courses played a critical role filtering water's return to aquifers and rivers.

He also explained how, as it is written, WOTUS presents a major hurdle for golf courses considering renovation or improvement projects, the two major activities in the industry since the Great Recession.

"Golf is going through a transition," Kreger said. "There was a time when the U.S. was averaging a new course every day. Now we're closing one on average every week. WOTUS is preventing or delaying the one major industry activity there is at the moment which is renovations."

 

Kreger's presence at the roundtable was secured by the Carolinas GCSA's government relations counsel in South Carolina, Charlie Rountree. Other groups represented included the state Home Builders Association, SCE&G parent company SCANA, the state's electric co-operatives, the SC Chamber of Commerce, Duke Energy, Santee Cooper, the SC Farm Bureau, the Forestry Association of South Carolina, Mixon Seed Co., Clemson University and several farmers.

"You talk about golf having a seat at the table," Kreger said. "It's hard to imagine getting a better seat than that. WOTUS is a big deal for all of the golf industry not just our members. So having the opportunity to make that case to Administrator Pruitt was extremely valuable."