Harper Lin
Golf is currently allowed in Arizona, but the state's golf courses are facing scrutiny for their water usage. Arizona's golf industry uses around 21,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River, which is about 1.3% of the state's total allocation. While some advocate for closing golf courses to alleviate water shortages, others argue that the water saved would not significantly impact the overall water shortage crisis. Additionally, the land that golf courses occupy is valuable for environmental conservation, and closing them could result in a 'dustbowl' effect. Arizona is facing increasing pressure to reduce water usage, and some golf courses are pushing back against the state's conservation plans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is golf allowed in Arizona? | Yes |
| Is golf course maintenance allowed? | Yes |
| Is there a water shortage in Arizona? | Yes |
| Is closing golf courses a solution to the water shortage? | No |
| Are Arizona golf courses pushing back against the state's plan to reduce water use? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Golf courses in Arizona use more water than they're allowed
Arizona is synonymous with golf courses, with the game's popularity booming after World War Two. However, Arizona's golf courses have come under scrutiny for their water usage.
The state's golf courses are unique in their layout and setup, often incorporating the natural desert landscape into their design to reduce water consumption. Despite this, Arizona's golf courses have been accused of using more water than they are allowed. An investigation by The Republic found that during the past two decades, 30 to 50 percent of Arizona golf courses have exceeded their water allotments each year. This amounts to an annual overconsumption of approximately 15,000 acre-feet of water, enough to sustain 45,000 single-family homes.
The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) has been criticized for its lack of punitive measures and for allegedly giving golf courses a "free pass." However, the Arizona Alliance for Golf argues that the increase in the number of courses in the state during the investigated period should be taken into account when considering water usage. They also emphasize that the golf industry contributes $4.6 billion to the state's economy annually and accounts for only 2% of the state's water usage.
Some golf courses have taken steps to reduce their water consumption, such as Lakes East Golf Course, which has implemented desert landscaping with low-water-use plants. However, critics argue that the lack of serious consequences for repeated overconsumption by some courses is concerning.
While there is a debate about the extent of the issue and the responsibility of golf courses in Arizona's water usage, it is clear that water conservation is a critical issue in the state, especially with the impact of the agricultural industry on water consumption. As the state grapples with the balance between economic activities and sustainable water usage, golf courses remain a point of contention for many Arizonans.
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Golf courses contribute to Arizona's economy
Golf courses in Arizona remain open for business, with the state boasting some of the country's most aesthetically dazzling golf courses. The golf scene in Arizona generates around $4 billion for the state every year, which is roughly 1% of the state's economy.
Arizona's golf courses are known for their desert-lined fairways, presenting a demanding style of target golf. The state offers a variety of topography, from desert courses to mountain courses, providing a unique and challenging experience for golfers. The best public golf course in Tucson, Arizona, is the Arizona National Golf Club, an 18-hole championship course nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains. This course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., offers stunning scenery, including panoramic mountain vistas, forests of giant saguaros, and the rare beauty of nine natural springs.
The Cholla course at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort is another notable golf destination in Arizona, ranked as the second-best course at We-Ko-Pa and among the top 10 public courses in the state. This Scott Miller design winds through the arroyos and ridges of the Sonoran Desert, featuring split fairways, stacked stone riverbeds, and 30-foot-tall cacti.
Chaparral Pines, a private mountain course designed by two-time major champion David Graham, offers a unique heavily wooded mountain setting for Arizona, reminiscent of golf in the Lake Tahoe area. This par-71 championship course provides well-manicured Bentgrass greens all year round due to its high elevation.
While Arizona's golf courses contribute significantly to the state's economy, there are concerns about their water usage. Some sources indicate that these courses use more water than they are allowed and that they have failed to reduce water consumption over the years. However, others argue that golf courses produce tons of oxygen and capture air pollutants, acting as nature reserves with an abundance of wildlife.
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Golf courses during the COVID-19 pandemic
Golf courses have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. While some courses were forced to close, many remained open, with golfers taking advantage of the outdoor activity when other sports and entertainment options were unavailable.
In Arizona, golf courses remained open for business during the pandemic. While the state implemented measures to combat the spread of the virus, including limiting restaurant service and closing bars, theatres, and gyms, golf courses were not included in these restrictions. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe closed its Casino Del Sol and Sewailo Golf Club until April 13, but other courses, such as Grayhawk Golf Club and Troon-operated properties, remained open and continued to take tee times.
In Triad, most golf courses also remained open during the pandemic. Courses implemented practices to limit the community spread of coronavirus, such as sanitizing golf carts and encouraging golfers to avoid touching flagsticks or bunker rakes. Social distancing guidelines were put in place, with golfers encouraged to ride in separate carts.
Northern Colorado golf courses saw a boom in traffic during the pandemic, with a 12% to 20% increase in rounds played and a 9% to 12% increase in revenue over 2019. Greeley, which kept its municipal courses open, experienced a substantial increase in demand that continued even after the pandemic. The National Golf Association reported a 14% increase in rounds played at the nation's 16,000-plus golf courses, despite temporary closures.
While the golf industry in some regions, such as Alberta, faced closures during the pandemic, there was optimism that golf would be one of the first activities to be allowed as restrictions eased. The industry expressed concern about the financial impact of closures, especially on public and semi-private courses, and advocated for golf as a socially distant activity beneficial for physical and mental well-being.
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Golf courses and water shortages in Arizona
Arizona is facing a water shortage crisis, with warnings that available water supplies are insufficient to support new subdivisions in the state's rapidly growing cities and suburbs. The Colorado River is facing an epic water shortage, and groundwater is declining in many areas beneath growing cities and suburbs.
In the face of this, Arizona golf courses have been criticized for using more water than they are allowed. Golf courses in the Phoenix area rely at least partially on groundwater, and managers of some courses have resisted plans to cut water use, arguing that the proposed reductions would damage their businesses. A group called the Arizona Alliance for Golf has formed to oppose water usage reductions, and they have sought to mobilize support for their cause.
Some have called for the closure of golf courses in Arizona to save water, but others argue that this would not make a significant impact on the impending water shortage. The Arizona agriculture industry uses around 70% of the state's total allocation of Colorado River water, and it is argued that even if golf courses stopped using water, it would go back into city usage rather than the Colorado River.
The debate continues over how much water golf courses in Arizona should be allowed to use, with some arguing that golf courses should only use grey water and captured water, and take a more organic approach to maintaining grass.
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Golf courses and water conservation efforts
Arizona is facing worsening water challenges, with the declining reservoirs of the Colorado River, where the state gets more than one-third of its total water supply. In this context, some Arizona golf courses have been criticized for their water usage.
In 2021, state officials proposed a plan to reduce overall water use on courses, which was met with opposition from some golf course managers. The proposal would require Phoenix-area golf courses that use groundwater to reduce their total combined water use by 3.1% compared to current allotments. The Arizona Alliance for Golf, a coalition of golf enthusiasts, argued that the proposed cuts were not realistic for the thriving industry and suggested a reduction of 1.8%.
However, it is important to note that the golf industry in Arizona contributes significantly to the state's economy and employs many people. Water is a major expense for golf courses, and they have an incentive to use it efficiently. The Arizona Alliance for Golf claims that the industry uses just 1.3% of the state's CAP water and that the total water usage by all golf courses in Arizona has not significantly changed between 2002 and 2020, despite the number of courses in the state increasing during that period.
Furthermore, closing Arizona's golf courses would not alleviate the coming water shortage. The water saved" would still be needed to maintain the land that the golf courses currently occupy, and it would go back into city usage rather than the Colorado River.
Nevertheless, there are ongoing efforts to reduce water usage on golf courses in Arizona. For example, many courses are reducing turf annually, and 30 courses have recently taken advantage of a state-sponsored incentive program to reduce turf at their facilities to continue saving water. Additionally, the Arizona Department of Water Resources' management plans have helped regulate golf course water use within the Active Management Areas, with a focus on limiting the acreage of turf.
In conclusion, while there is a push for golf courses in Arizona to reduce their water usage, it is important to recognize the economic impact of the industry and the efforts already being made by golf courses to conserve water.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, golf is still allowed in Arizona. However, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, some golf clubs were closed.
Arizona is facing a water shortage crisis and some people believe that closing golf courses will help alleviate the problem.
Arizona's golf industry uses around 21,000 acre-feet of water from the Colorado River, which is around 1.3% of the amount of water Arizona is allowed to use.
Some people argue that closing golf courses will not make a significant difference to water usage in Arizona. They suggest that the focus should be on the agriculture industry, which uses around 70% of the state's water allocation.
