Introduction
Positive Impact
Sustainability is integrated throughout our BMPs in order to help guide golf courses in balancing performance and economic impact with environmental stewardship and community. Cities, regions, and communities have varying levels of sustainability planning; courses are encouraged to collaborate within their communities for continuous environmental improvement to make a positive impact today and in the future
Texas, the largest state in the continental United States, is recognized for its rich history, agriculture, tourism, and a strong sense of American pride. There are more than 900 golf courses in the state, contributing over 98,000 jobs and $7.4 billion to the economy. Notable Texas golf courses include Whispering Pines, Dallas National, and Bluejack National. There are outstanding public courses such as the TPC San Antonio and unique municipal courses like Lions Municipal Golf Course, which is listed on the Registration of National Historical Places by the National Park Service. With nearly 1000 courses in the state, there are a myriad of options to choose from. The Lone Star Golf Course Superintendents Association (LSGCSA) is comprised of dedicated agronomists, golf maintenance professionals, industry partners, and educators who are responsible for the maintenance and sustainability of these golf courses throughout the state.
The LSGCSA encompasses five Texas GCSA chapters statewide, serving as a single, unified voice for providing education, resources, advocacy, and promoting best management practices. Texas superintendents are dedicated to providing high quality golf course facilities and healthy greenspaces for recreation, exercise, and environmental stewardship – with a goal to leave the land better than we found it. We take pride in the work we do and are committed within each of our communities.
We developed this guide of best management practices (BMPs) to serve as operating standards for superintendents to strive toward and an educational resource for all stakeholders. The document details 13 sections ranging from community engagement to irrigation to water quality protection, pollinator protection, and wildlife habitat, in addition to others. Each section contains BMPs and regulatory considerations, as well as local resources for additional information.
This science-based educational tool will be integrated within the GCSAA online BMP tool, with the ultimate goal for each facility in the state |to develop and adopt its own site-specific BMP guide. Visit the Texas Golf Industry BMP Guide dedicated website at www.texasgolfbmp.org for future updates.
The guide was developed in collaboration with Radius Sports Group, a sustainability consulting firm, and has been reviewed by leaders in golf course management, construction, regulatory, and academic fields.
On behalf of the LGCSA, Texas superintendents statewide, our educators, and allied partners, we hope that this BMP guide will help demonstrate the Texas golf industry’s leadership and commitment toward providing valuable ecosystem services, quality playing conditions, jobs, and economic impact for our State.
Environmental Stewardship
We share a strong sense of fellowship and are always striving for continuous improvement, helping each other out whenever we can. Sharing knowledge and resources are critical factors for contributing to sustainable golf course operations and environmental stewardship.
Texas Geography, Climate, and Soils
Texas is one of the most geographically diverse states in the United States, with forests, deserts, mountains, hills, prairies, canyons, and coastal plains. There are seven distinct geographical regions separated by different terrain. In the far west, Big Bend Country is known for being the only region in Texas with mountains. It displays typical characteristics of the American Southwest, with its rocky landscapes, vast deserts, and high elevations. Panhandle Plains is located in the northwest of the state and is filled with canyons carved out by rivers. The Prairies and Lakes region in central Texas has many lakes, forests, and gentle hills. The Easternmost region is Pineywoods, which has swamps and dense forests, and directly south of it is the Gulf Coast, known for its barrier islands, grasslands, and marshes. In the southwest, South Texas Plains is a blend of dry desert and countryside. Finally, right in the center of Texas is Hill Country, named after all of its hills, a distinct feature, along with natural springs and caves located there.
Texas Koppen Climate Zones
The state encompasses eight Köppen Climate Zones. Much of eastern Texas has a humid subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers, cool winters, and consistent precipitation year-round. Northwestern Texas is considered cold semi-arid, whereas southwestern Texas is hot semi-arid, with hot and dry summers. In the western part of the state, there are pockets of cold and hot deserts, with cold deserts being colder and receiving some snowfall in the winter.
Soil Orders of Texas
Throughout the world there are a total of 12 recognized soil orders. There are nine of these found within the state of Texas. Most Texas soils are classified into seven major soil orders: Alfisols, Aridisols, Entisols, Inceptisols, Mollisols, Ultisols, and Vertisols. There are also small areas of two other orders: Histosols and Spodosols. Texas has more than 1,300 soil series, with each classified into one of these nine orders. Understanding the unique topography and soils for a golf course is essential to healthy turfgrass and conservation practices.
Geography, climate, and soils create unique identities, benefits, and challenges for Texas golf courses. Golf course maintenance BMPs help promote stewardship of these lands, plant species and wildlife, and preservation of the state’s natural resources.
