Water Conservation Sustaining golf in Arizona is a complex and controversial subject. 95% of our state is in severe to exceptional drought conditions with little end in sight. Yet, the contribution of golf to Arizona’s economy is undeniable and growing with golf’s resurgence. Debbie Johnson, Director of AZ’s Office of Tourism was quoted in a December 2020 AZ golf industry survey as saying “Golf is core to the state’s tourism activity. The sport’s impact goes beyond just golf courses, it also impacts the broader tourism industry including resorts, hotels, restaurants and bars, and general retail activity.” The industry survey explains golf related water use is only 2% of total statewide use (73%+ for crop irrigation) but fully drives $4.6B in estimated economic activity, making it “a wise investment.” Nevertheless, FOPRG directors are keenly aware that Pusch Ridge Golf Course (PRGC) is currently relegated to using potable water because extending access to reclaimed water proved cost prohibitive. This makes PRGC’s water use a uniquely divisive issue in Oro Valley. FOPRG directors are committed to advocating for all practical water conservation measures to be considered and implemented. To that end, FOPRG recently facilitated a meeting between golf agronomist and Friend, Harold Vaubel, premier golf course architect, Forrest Richardson, and Town of OV leaders. Both near-term turf and water reducing measures, including some recommended by the USGA, as well as long-term redesign of the PRGC to a more sustainable (and competitive) short course were discussed. FORPR must rely on the experts and public officials to implement cost-effective potable water conservation measures until such time a creative financing strategy to bring reclaimed water to PRGC can be devised. Until then, FOPRG will continue its advocacy, not allowing PRGC stakeholders to lose sight of our environmental and fiscal responsibility to find a sustainable solution to water use at PRGC.
Friends Don’t Let Friends Golf Alone We are committed to a goal of 500 Friends of Pusch Ridge - let’s get the word out!
More Friends will help generate more rounds of play at the course. If we can help generate strong daily play we hope to influence the need for reopening of the Pro Shop. Plus, if we can help achieve sufficient positive momentum through the upcoming season, we can hopefully influence the Town and Indigo to consider opening the course for more months during year two. Here’s how you can help us achieve this goal:
Forward this e-Newsletter onto your friends
Post a request to join on your Facebook or NextDoor accounts
Direct people to https://www.friendsofpuschridgegolf.org/join
A short sentence or two can be added to your messaging. For example: “Hi [name of person], I joined this great group of people who are working with the Town of Oro Valley and Indigo Golf to promote, restore, preserve, and sustain the nine-hole Pusch Ridge Golf course. The course is due to open this fall and the Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf are trying to increase their reach by getting more people to join them. I encourage you to join this group too so that we can maybe play together a few times! There’s no financial commitment and they are planning to do many fun events in the future! Fill out their form at https://www.friendsofpuschridgegolf.org/join”
Course Renovation Activity
The Town/Indigo has been busy trimming and removing trees located on the 5th and 6th greens. The trees selected are those in which are diseased, dying or that are seriously hindering the ease of play. In addition, the greens have been watered almost every day. Plus the monsoon season has been kicking in and helping too!
Here is a list of the ongoing maintenance items at Pusch Ridge to be addressed over the next 2-3 weeks:
Driving (& Chipping & Putting) to 10,000 Rounds!
Pusch Ridge Golf Course has been described as “the best kept secret in the Tucson area”.
Let’s make it our goal to erase that tagline and make Pusch Ridge “the golf course that EVERYONE is talking about”.
The best ways to achieve that goal are to:
Attract new golfers, or golfers who have not previously played Pusch Ridge
Increase the number of rounds from golfers who know the course
Pusch Ridge is a unique golf course, so unique promotions and events are totally on target. We would love to hear your ideas and suggestions! Drop us a line at contact@friendsofpuschridgegolf.org or reply back to this e-Newsletter.
Mark Your Calendars! Event details are forthcoming.
August 19, 2021 @ 3:00 pm: Open Friends Zoom meeting with Town of O.V. and Indigo Golf representatives
October 30, 2021: Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf Reopening golf event
November 1, 2021: Pusch Ridge course opens to the public