Water becomes the annual theme of BGV

“Water” is the annual theme of the Bavarian Golf Association 2024. “Our goals are to raise awareness among golfers and golf courses, to communicate the topic to golfers and non-golfers and to present golf positively to the outside world,” explained Arno Malte Uhlig, President of the BGV, at the BGV press conference at the start of the year in Munich. “In the past, we were always the land wasters in the public eye, now we are the water wasters,” he said, alluding to the often negative portrayal of golf courses in recent years in connection with the irrigation of the courses.

Data collection for more clarity

In order to change this perception, BGV 2024 is focusing on targeted data collection to create clarity on the topic of water management. “We need figures, data and facts to explain our position,” said Uhlig. A water survey is therefore planned for all Bavarian golf courses, which will provide anonymous information about their water consumption and the type of water used.

For Heidrun Klump, Managing Director of the association, it is necessary to take a closer look at the topic of water despite the wet phase of the past few months, which has also meant that there is no longer a drought situation anywhere in Germany. “Otherwise, the golf courses will end up in the press again very quickly during the next dry spell. To be well positioned here, we need better data. At the moment, we don’t know how much water our golf courses in Bavaria really use.” Based on the water survey, the development of guiding principles on the topic of water at the golf courses and the creation of action plans at the golf courses will also be promoted.

Motivating in small steps

It is also important to the Bavarian Golf Association to slowly sensitize golfers in particular to the issue and to motivate them to use resources carefully in small steps. The high level of participation by Bavarian golf courses in the Blühpakt Bayern project in particular shows that the motivation to take part in environmental protection projects is high, according to those responsible.