The golf industry has long been a leader in sustainability and innovation, establishing nationally recognized best practices for prudent water management. The industry judiciously uses just two percent of the state’s overall total water use producing over $4.6 billion dollars of economic activity. The industry’s superintendents, general managers, course owners, industry partners, and others have worked tirelessly for decades to be excellent stewards of Arizona’s water supply.
The industry works collaboratively with various regulatory agencies, including the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR). ADWR is currently in the process of drafting the 5th Management Plan, which will determine and apply water allocation limits for the industry when the plan takes effect on January 1, 2025. In an effort to bring unity and cohesion to the various voices within the golf industry, the Arizona Alliance for Golf is working to position the industry to achieve a win-win outcome that will allow golf to continue to be economically viable, while also helping the ADWR meet its statutory conservation goal.
Water continues to be one of the most complicated – and political – policy issues in the state. The Alliance’s work on behalf of many industry groups will help position the game of golf as an authoritative voice on policy conversations in the years to come. The Alliance remains focused on ensuring a viable path for golf and the state on the 5th Management Plan, and looks forward to even greater engagement from the industry on these issues that stand to have a tremendous impact on our business, which fully drives the $4.6 billion in annual economic impact and is a defining element of Arizona’s identity.
