8 | GSGA
ber course in the state is laser-measured
(and again whenever major changes are
made). Each course is rated every six to
eight years by a trained team of raters
who adhere to the USGA Course Rating
and Slope Rating System. Ratings are is-
sued for all sets of tees in play for both
men and women at each course. There is
no charge for these services as they are in-
cluded as part of membership dues which
are based upon a club’s total number of
golf members.
There are other significant services
that the GSGAhas fulfilled over the years,
such as supporting research of turfgrass
as far back as 1959. In more recent years
when Atlanta was plagued by drought
conditions and the golfing industry was
put under scrutiny for water usage, the
GSGA banded with its allied associations
to provide awareness of water-conserv-
ing, sustainability practices that course
operators have traditionally embraced.
In fact, many were being “green” before
green ever crept into the social conscious
through the advancement of reclaimed
water irrigation systems and other con-
servation strategies. The practices of golf
course superintendents in Georgia have
become environmental stewardship mod-
