Committee hires third-party consultant Radius Sports Group to assist with guide completion

The Nevada BMP Committee has recently ramped up its efforts heading into the 2019 calendar year. The group met for the first time in person in October of 2018 and has another meeting scheduled for Jan. 17 in Las Vegas for section review. 

The committee is compromised of Wolf Creek Golf Club superintendent Scott Delpiere, TPC Summerlin superintendent Dale Hahn, GCSAA Southwest Field Representative Jeff Jensen, Aliante Golf Club superintendent Jeff Lezon, The Club at Sunrise superintendent Scott Sutton, Southern Nevada Water Authority Conservation Services Administrator Patrick Watson and The Club at ArrowCreek superintendent Rob Williams. 

The group is focusing on 13 sections: Plan, design and construct; irrigation; surface water management; water quality management; nutrient management; cultural practices; integrated pest management; pesticide management; pollinator protection; maintenance operations; landscape; energy and air quality.

The committee recently hired third-party sustainability consultant Radius Sports Group of Reno, Nev. to assist with completion of the BMP template. Led by Gina Rizzi, Radius Sports Group works with Fortune 500 companies and sports properties to activate marketing, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) platforms. Focusing on the intersection between sport and sustainability, Radius seeks ways to show shared values with customers, fans, communities, employees, and legislators.

The proactive implementation or utilization of environmental and agronomic BMPs at Nevada golf facilities will provide golf course superintendents, facility owners and managers, golfers, communities and government agencies with a framework for a sustainable approach to golf course management. As the golf industry continues to face critical issues, such as water conservation, nutrient management, wildlife preservation and the continued pressure from activist groups to reduce or eliminate use of inputs, the voluntary implementation of agronomic and environmental BMPs are key to the future of successful golf course operations in the state. 

Upon completion and online publishing of the state guide, it will be available for superintendents to download and customize to their facility and agronomic region. The guide will be free of charge and can be printed in a PDF format. 

Future plans include marketing the guide to superintendents, allied golf associations, media, regulators and lawmakers throughout Nevada.