The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) are encouraging players to say thank you to their course’s superintendent by launching ‘Thank a Golf Course Superintendent Week’.

Running from 8-14 May, the initiative aims to celebrate the work superintendents do to keep courses in great condition and enhance their sustainability.

“If you love golf, you owe much of your enjoyment of the game to superintendents,” said Rhett Evans, chief executive officer of the GCSAA. “They diligently work each day to provide excellent playing conditions, and they lead the charge on sustainability so the game can remain strong for decades to come.”

From 2005 to 2013, the amount of water used on golf courses in the US was reduced by almost 22 per cent. This was driven in part by the country’s superintendents, and ultimately helped save more than US$150 million across that eight-year period.

Superintendents are also increasingly using recycled water on golf courses, which now accounts for more than 25 per cent of water use on US golf courses.

A growing number are also using their expertise in the field of agronomy to reduce irrigation acreage. This has led to a growth in the use of targeted irrigation systems, ground moisture measurement tools and weather monitoring systems.

“This week, let’s recognise the men and women who work behind the scenes,” Evans said. “If you love golf like I do, then next time you’re on the green, offer your thanks for the playability and sustainability of the course. And thank your super with a social media shout out using #ThankASuper.”

For more on Thank a Golf Course Superintendent week, take a look at this video on the GCSAA website.