Connecticut BMPApril 23, 2021

1 - Community Engagement

Connecticut BMPApril 23, 2021

For more than 90 years the CAGCS has been an active contributor to communities throughout the state. Real community engagement goes beyond one-way communication or a public relations campaign. Community engagement is more than providing updates to members, guests, neighbors, city or state officials from owners or course officials. Effective community engagement creates rich relationships with neighbors and local stakeholders, identifies concerns and values, optimizes resources, increases participation, improves decision-making, resolves conflicts, and creates trust.

Philanthropy and charitable giving are at the core of the golf industry. Golf clubs and courses provide exceptional venues for fundraising events and charity golf tournaments. Since 2012, golf as a fundraising vehicle has raised nearly $20 billion in charitable giving. The We Are Golf coalition estimates $3.9 billion in total annual charitable impact from golf. The Connecticut golf industry generates $32 million in charitable giving. (Connecticut Golf Alliance, 2010) Organizations include those focused on arts and heritage, education, environment and animals, health, and human services.

Connecticut golf course maintenance departments provide full-time and seasonal work for a diverse workforce. The association also supports scholarships for local students. Superintendents frequently hire students from local schools and universities for golf maintenance positions and internships.

kids class birdhouse.jpeg — Superintendents and their teams host field trips with local schools to explore golf courses from a science, math, biology, and learning perspective. This includes hosting First Green programs, an initiative of the EIFG.

Connecticut superintendents are focused on positively impacting their communities. Together with the GCSAA and partner advocates, the CAGCS meets annually with state legislators on environmental, economic, and health-related legislation including participation in National Golf Day, a day of golf industry advocacy in Washington D.C. Superintendents throughout the state are also actively involved with meeting with local representatives.

Developing rapport with neighboring community members, customers, legislators, regulators, and civic leaders helps all stakeholders better understand the actions golf courses are taking to protect human and environmental health.

Best Management Practices

Conduct stakeholder mapping to understand who to best engage in outreach efforts
Identify what is important to each stakeholder
Identify community values and principles
Establish engagement targets, goals, and desired outcomes
Understand the importance of building trust
Plan engagement efforts, strategies, and methods of communication
Engage community prior to design & construction; in addition to ongoing efforts

More information on community engagement: https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-community-engagement

Community Safety & Coronavirus

Pandemics and others crisis often involve circumstances where golf course play must be modified to keep the public safe while also allowing recreational opportunities. BMPs have been developed to limit touch points in order to reduce risk and help provide safe playing conditions.

Adhere to local, state, and federal guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html