James Schumacher, President of Aqua Turf International, Inc. (ATI) was one of several speakers at the 2015 International Usage of Water Resources Golf Forum held at Kylin Resort in Shenzhen, China on October 27 – 28, 2015. The Forum was the vision of and keenly sponsored by the Forward Group and Supported by Landscapes Unlimited. The Beijing Forestry University, the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Rain Bird, and Jacobsen co-supported the event. Other speakers included:
Dr. Bernd Leinauer – New Mexico State University Turfgrass Extension and Research Professor
Dr. Jia Shaofeng – Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources
Mr. Patrick J. Gross – Director USGA Southwest Green Section
Ms. Gan Yiping – Renowned Wastewater Researcher and Author
Mr. Rick Robbins – Past President of the American Society of Golf Course Architects
Mr. Christopher P. May – International Management Group (IMG)
Mr. Eric Boedeker – GCSAA Lead International Developer
Mr. Changjun Wang – Beijing Pan-China Sports Co. Ltd.
The conference focused on the key issues regarding water use efficiency specifically as it relates to golf. Several topics were discussed such as alternate turf types, alternate water sources, water use efficiency, effluent water use in China, water use regulations and irrigation design and efficiency.
Mr. Schumacher spoke specifically about irrigation design techniques and how irrigation design techniques affect water use efficiency, pitfalls to avoid, as well as system operation and water management by the superintendent.
The Chinese government has recently imposed water use allotments for golf courses, water use monitoring and other measures that have increased the cost of water. These measures have created a greater interest in water management and water use efficiency. Hopefully, these measures will result in installing highly efficient irrigation systems well managed by the superintendents and other golf course operators, ensuring optimum use of one of our most precious resources.
The conference was well attended by golf course operators, superintendents, media, and others interested in professional water use.
