The meeting was initiated by Cactus & Pine secretary and GCSAA board candidate Rory Van Poucke, who serves as the general manager/superintendent of Apache Sun Golf Club. In addition to Van Poucke and Ruggiero, also representing the Cactus & Pine was President Andy Huber and board members Kai Umeda and Jim Marshall.
With Arizona and the Southwest U.S. in the midst of a severe drought, the meeting centered around water use and conservation on golf courses. The congressman and his staff were educated on reclaimed water use, turf reduction programs, irrigation efficiency and technology, turfgrass research, BMPs and the industry’s work on assisting with the development of model drought compliance legislation.
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| Pictured are members of the Cactus & Pine GCSA with U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04) and his key staff members at Apache Sun Golf Club in Queen Creek, AZ. |
Van Poucke also provided an economic impact study that outlined the golf industry’s $3.4 billion impact on Arizona’s economy. Golf is now the leading driver of tourism to the state.
Additionally, the EPA’s newly proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule that GCSAA and the golf industry is opposing was discussed. The congressman has condemned the EPA’s new rule and understands the devastating economic consequences it will have for golf, agriculture and small businesses throughout Arizona and the U.S. if it is implemented.
The Cactus & Pine GCSA appreciates Congressman Gosar and his staff’s time and any questions concerning the meeting can be directed to Rory Van Poucke or Jeff Jensen.
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