The development of the Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses was made possible by superintendents in the state of Maryland, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the Eastern Shore Association of Golf Course Superintendents, and turfgrass scientists at the University of Maryland. Representatives from each organization provided their time and expertise to develop and review drafts of best management practices specifically for the state of Maryland to protect the state’s natural resources. The steering committee for this effort and the reviewers of drafts of this document have been an invaluable source of guidance and expertise in the creation of realistic and implementable guidance for the state’s turf industry.
Funding and support of this effort were made possible with grants from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) and with materials from the Best Management Practices Template developed by GCSAA with funding from the Environmental Institute for Golf (EIFG) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America
GCSAA is the professional association for the men and women who manage and maintain the game’s most valuable resource: the golf course. Today, GCSAA and its members are recognized by the golf industry as one of the key contributors in elevating the game and business to its current state.
Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas, the association provides education, information, and representation to more than 17,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession, and enhance the enjoyment, growth, and vitality of the game of golf.
Environmental Institute for Golf
EIFG fosters sustainability by providing funding for research grants, education programs, scholarships, and awareness of golf’s environmental efforts. Founded in 1955 as the GCSAA Scholarship & Research Fund for the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, the EIFG serves as the association’s philanthropic organization. The EIFG relies on the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs to advance stewardship on golf courses in the areas of research, scholarships, education, and advocacy. The results from these activities, conducted by GCSAA, are used to position golf courses as properly managed landscapes that contribute to the greater good of their communities. Supporters of the EIFG know they are fostering programs and initiatives that will benefit the game and its environment for years to come.
United States Golf Association
USGA provides governance for the game of golf, conducts the U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Senior Open, 10 national amateur championships, two state team championships, and international matches, and celebrates the history of the game of golf. The USGA establishes equipment standards, administers the Rules of Golf and Rules of Amateur Status, maintains the USGA Handicap System and Course Rating System, and is one of the world’s foremost authorities on research, development, and support of sustainable golf course management practices.
