Thursday, August 18, 2022
9 a.m. — 2:30 p.m.
History of the Summit
Water has been the subject of myriad forums and symposiums over the years. It is a staple of GCSAA Chapter meetings. It is the subject of multiple research and academic studies. University and college “Field Days” are dedicated to it. Magazine articles about it abound. And for good reason. Mother Nature may provide enough of it in much of the nation, but irrigation is the lifeblood of the game in California and the Southwest.
For much of the region that irrigation is dependent upon imports; local supplies don’t suffice. And with both main sources of those imports – California’s Sierra Nevada snowpack and the Colorado River Basin – producing less precipitation, that less precipitation coming more in the form of rain instead of snow and that less snow yielding less runoff for transportation to the population centers, it’s clear that instead of dealing with periodic drought, we may well be dealing with permanent drought.
With all of that in mind, the game’s alphabet soup of leadership organizations determined that the time had come to combine forces to produce something more comprehensive than another focused forum or symposium. They decided to produce something genuinely meriting the appellation, “summit” – less educational conference than blueprint for golf continuing to be a robust part of California’s recreational tapestry.
Some might call that an existential challenge. And they’d be right. As much as golf has done to reduce its potable water footprint, it has to do that much more in order to remain viable in this land of permanent drought.
Event Organizers
SCGA
The SCGA is devoted to providing all Southland golfers with the best experience possible. Its primary goal is to enhance the enjoyment of the game for those who actively live the golf lifestyle or have just learned to swing a club. Advocating on behalf of our community of passionate golfers, the SCGA provides accessible and affordable opportunities for anyone looking to be involved with the game. Whether crowning champions at amateur tournaments or providing a Handicap Index to track a golfer’s progress, the SCGA is committed to providing exceptional service to its members.
SCPGA
The Southern California Section was established in 1924, and today is comprised of over 1,700 golf Professionals working at over 500 facilities within the Section. The mission of the Southern California Section (SCPGA) is the purpose of the PGA of America, to promote the enjoyment and involvement in the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals and the golf industry. The SCPGA provides competitive playing opportunities, educational seminars, and growth of the game initiatives, within a geographic area that stretches from San Luis Obispo to the Tijuana Border, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Nevada and Arizona borders.
GCSAA
The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America is the professional association for the men and women who manage and maintain the game’s most valuable resource — the golf course. The golf industry recognizes the association as a key contributor in elevating the game and business. Since 1926, with a focus on golf course management, GCSAA has been the top professional association in the United States and worldwide. Headquartered in Lawrence, Kan., it provides education, information and representation to more than 19,000 members in more than 78 countries. Its mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and improve communities through the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf.
USGA
The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, the USGA conducts many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open. With The R&A, the USGA governs the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where they honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California serves 26 public water agencies — cities, municipal water districts and one county water authority — that then deliver supplies directly or indirectly to 19 million people in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. It has imported water from the Colorado River since 1941 and from Northern California since the early 1970s. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is the largest single contractor of the State Water Project and a major supporter of Southern California water conservation and water recycling programs, along with other local water management activities.
CGCOA
CGCOA is dedicated to developing strategic partnerships and strategies to help golf course owners provide a thriving recreational facility for the local community. It creates opportunities for members to work together to better educate themselves on how to improve their golf course operations. Through personal contact with industry experts, members are informed of the latest expertise, technology, resources and ideas to help their courses run successfully. CGCOA members work together to enhance the game of golf.
Performance Resource Management
Performance Resource Management (“PRM”) is a premium agronomic service designed to deliver superior results. PRM uses a unique combination of biological processes and remote sensing technologies to rebuild the soil on farms and golf courses with massive implications for global environmental conservation. These results include creating a healthier food supply, increased carbon cycling (which slows climate change), a cleaner water supply (via less toxic chemicals and runoff) and reduced carbon footprint, while allowing businesses to greatly reduce operating costs alongside improved crop health and yield. PRM’s holistic approach to soil management restores the soil, saves water, and improves the health of our communities.