Continuing the momentum from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s golf course visit in mid-October in New Jersey, GCSAA hosted EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy on Oct. 30 at Swope Memorial Golf Course in Kansas City, Mo. The visit provided another valuable opportunity to demonstrate the golf industry’s commitment to environmental stewardship and strengthen relationships with federal regulators.

Superintendent Josh Linn, nine-year GCSAA member, led the tour, highlighting the historic municipal course’s recent renovation and the innovative management practices incorporated into the project. Best management practices (BMPs) served as a foundation for the renovation, with particular emphasis on water conservation, turfgrass research, stormwater management and environmental protection.

One of the most compelling examples is the course’s new stormwater retention pond, which captures runoff from approximately 21 acres. Combined with advanced irrigation technology and drought-tolerant turfgrass cultivars, these improvements are projected to reduce reliance on municipal drinking water by approximately 18 million gallons annually. Linn also demonstrated how precision irrigation, automated leak detection and improved turfgrass varieties help reduce water use, labor demands and disease pressure

Additional highlights included vegetated buffers, improved drainage, wildlife habitat and the transition to electric golf carts equipped with GPS technology to protect sensitive turfgrass areas and reduce emissions.

GCSAA Government Affairs Director Chava McKeel discussed the association’s work with EPA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA and the Department of the Interior. Government Affairs Senior Manager Michael Lee, Grassroots Advocacy Specialist Kelly Lonker and Director of Environmental Programs Josh Tapp also participated

The visit reinforced an important advocacy message: Golf courses provide meaningful environmental and community benefits while continually improving resource efficiency through research, technology and science-based management.

With two EPA leadership visits in October, GCSAA is building valuable relationships and creating opportunities for superintendents to demonstrate their expertise directly to policymakers. These tours support our broader advocacy priorities, particularly water conservation, pesticide management and recognition of golf’s environmental benefits, while reinforcing GCSAA’s role as a trusted resource for federal agencies.