Golf courses are responsible for just 1.3 percent of water used in the U.S., according to the USGA Green Section. The game, however, receives a disproportionate amount of blame for how much is required to keep turf playable.
The USGA has published a guide to help turf managers become better stewards of water with an eye trained on sustainability, as well as providing a valuable PR tool.
The Water Conservation Playbook, says the USGA, “is a comprehensive effort to provide courses with the latest tools and techniques to more effectively manage water utilization.”
The guide, available as a free download at USGA.org, was written by Green Section personnel and several contributors, and is part of the USGA’s 15-year, $30 million investment to help golf courses reduce their overall water usage.
“Golf is currently in a time of great growth, but the threat of water availability and cost, combined with changing weather patterns, poses long-term threats to our playing fields,” says Mike Whan, CEO of the USGA. “We want to put the best intelligence into the hands of those who are making decisions and working on courses every day, and spur innovation toward a more sustainable game.”
Log onto PGAmagazine.com for PGA Magazine’s July 2025 cover story on Golf and the Environment.
U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley has named Gary Woodland as his fifth and final Vice Captain for the 45th Ryder Cup, which will be played Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York.
Bradley previously appointed Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson and Brandt Snedeker as Vice Captains.
“I have an incredible amount of respect and admiration for Gary and all he has accomplished in this game,” says Bradley. “As a major champion and someone who is still competing at a high level, he is well aware of the demands of performing on golf’s biggest stages.”
Woodland will be making his first Ryder Cup appearance as a Vice Captain or player. The 41-year-old represented the U.S. in the 2019 Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, where he tallied 1.5 points in a 16-14 U.S. victory.
“I am extremely excited and grateful to Keegan for the opportunity to support the U.S. Team at the 2025 Ryder Cup,” says Woodland. “Keegan’s passion for this event is contagious and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”
The Topeka, Kansas, native is a four-time winner on the PGA TOUR with nearly 60 top-10 finishes in more than 380 career starts. Woodland captured the 2019 U.S. Open title at Pebble Beach (California) Golf Links.
PGA of America Members can receive complimentary tickets to the 2025 Ryder Cup at New York’s Bethpage Black on Sept. 23-28. Streamline your experience by pre-registering for you and your additional guests by Sept. 15. PGA of America Members can bring one accompanying spouse/partner or guest and immediate children under the age of 21. To learn more about complimentary access and to pre-register, log onto PGA.org.
