GCSAA welcomed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and staff from the Administrator’s team to Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., for a firsthand look at the best management practices shaping modern golf course operations and environmental stewardship.
Key takeaways
- Golf courses continue to adopt sustainable management practices.
- Environmental stewardship is central to golf course operations.
- GCSAA is strengthening relationships with regulators to influence informed policy.
On Oct. 17, GCSAA welcomed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and other EPA staff from the Administrator’s team to Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J., for a firsthand look at the best management practices (BMPs) shaping modern golf course operations and environmental stewardship.
During the visit, Baltusrol Director of Grounds Greg Boring, 29-year GCSAA member, shared insights into the club’s championship history, course renovations and ongoing commitment to responsible course management. The discussion highlighted a range of BMPs including team development, electric equipment, water conservation, turfgrass system upgrades, data-driven decision-making, stormwater management, tree and vegetation management, and integrated pest management.
The visit also showcased Baltusrol’s environmental initiatives, including its Audubon Sanctuary Cooperative Program certification, Woodland Preservation Program and educational efforts. A guided course tour provided an opportunity to see these practices in action, with stops highlighting putting green technology, ground operations, and newly implemented equipment and systems.
Baltusrol’s Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Phil Wheeler was also on hand to discuss the history and culture of Baltusrol as well as the importance of Boring’s position at the golf course.
GCSAA’s Director of Government Affairs Chava McKeel attended the visit, reinforcing the association’s commitment to building relationships with federal agencies and providing regulators with a firsthand understanding of golf course management. Opportunities like this help demonstrate how golf course superintendents balance course conditions with responsible resource management, environmental protection and the long-term sustainability of their facilities.
Others in attendance included GCSAA’s Director of Congressional and Federal Affairs Bob Helland; Field Staff – Northeast Regional Representative Kevin Doyle; and Maureen Sharples, chapter executive of the New Jersey GCSA. Sharples shared a copy of the New Jersey GCSAA BMPs Manual with the Administrator.
GCSAA will continue engaging with agencies like the EPA to share industry expertise, highlight effective environmental practices and support informed policy discussions. By showcasing the innovation and stewardship taking place at golf facilities nationwide, GCSAA aims to strengthen understanding of the golf industry’s environmental contributions and its continued commitment to sustainable course management.
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