Golf Channel to Examine Water and Golf

The Golf Channel's "What's in the Bag" series will examine water's relationship with golf in a 30-minute episode that begins airing the week of May 26. Ordinarily an equipment show, WITB will examine how Golf Course Superintendents Association of America members care for the most fundamental equipment: the game's playing field and the water used on it.

Golf Channel reporter Adam Barr uses the drought in Georgia as a backdrop to highlight the extreme restrictions faced by GCSAA members. Barr, along with producers Bob Swanson and Rusty Billingsly present the challenges of providing good conditions, while being good citizens.

GCSAA members featured include Mark Esoda, CGCS at Atlanta Country Club and GCSAA President David S. Downing II, CGCS, VP of the Signature Golf Group. Esoda and Downing were interviewed in Washington, D.C., as part of National Golf Day activities. They discuss the Georgia GCSA's and GCSAA's efforts to present a clear picture regarding water use and golf as means to educate lawmakers, the media and the public. Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs reviews some key data from the association's Golf Course Environmental Profile project.

On the ground, the piece will highlight three facilities: Mike Crawford, CGCS at TPC Sugarloaf will talk about forgoing overseeding due to limited water availability, and what it has meant to playability. Ken Mangum, CGCS at Atlanta Athletic Club explains how effluent water has reduced his reliance on potable water and allowed him to be exempt from restrictions. Ralph Kepple, CGCS at East Lake Golf Club and Bob Carrow, Ph.D., University of Georgia talk about new grass varieties that will require fewer inputs.

Barr said, "This is an important step forward from shafts, club heads and launch angles for 'What's in the Bag.' But we feel strongly that it's crucial to get golfers thinking and talking about this subject. What we found is golf is an efficient user of water, but with increasing demand for the resource, the scrutiny only intensifies. Golf has certainly made progress, but everyone from all walks of life will still be pressured to be even more water conscious. What we try to communicate is how that will impact the golfer."

Dates for the telecast include (all times Eastern):

* May 26 Monday 7:30 p.m.
* May 27 Tuesday 4:30 a.m.
* May 27 Tuesday 8:30 a.m.
* May 29 Thursday 1:30 a.m.
* June 7 Saturday 3:30 p.m.

"I applaud the Golf Channel for being willing to examine this subject," Downing said. "We feel it is important to take a fact-based approach to an important subject. GCSAA members want to be part of the solution to a more efficient manager of our water resources.

The 30-minute show is part of an extensive and diverse package GCSAA has contracted to produce with the Golf Channel. It includes the production and airing of 600 commercial segments, 10-12 live interviews associated with professional golf events, course set up sponsorship at LPGA events, a course preview segment for each PGA Tour event during the Sprint Pregame Show, presence on the Golf Channel Web site and in the weekly Golf Channel e-newsletter to more than 600,000 subscribers.