LEGISLATION
Hot (Golf) Topics at the State Capitol
A
number of legislative issues are currently
being discussed and debated in Hartford all
of which may have a direct or indirect effect
on golf course operations in Connecticut. Topics
include taxation of golf course land, pesticide use,
and drought management. CSGA Executive Director,
Mike Moraghan and Yale golf course superintendent,
Scott Ramsey in concert with Mike Dugan of Capitol
Consulting have been at the forefront of efforts to
protect and assist the golf industry.
Drought Preparedness and Response Plan
M
oraghan, Ramsey and Dugan met with
Commissioner Jack Betkoski and other officials
from the state’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority
(PURA) in January to weigh in on Connecticut’s
developing plans for drought preparedness. Betkoski’s
group has been tasked with preparing a plan for both
moderate and severe droughts by Governor Dannel
Malloy, a two-year project that evolved from the
University of Connecticut’s need for additional water
for its campus at Storrs.
“Given the obvious and essential importance
of water to our golf course operations, it is important
that the golf industry be represented in the planning
phase of initiatives that could evolve into state policy,”
said Moraghan. “Our golf course superintendents
bring years of agronomic experience and real world
Top: CSGA Executive Director Mike Moraghan; Bottom-Left: Mike
Dugan of Capitol Consulting, LLC; Bottom-Right: Scott Ramsey,
Superintendent at The Course at Yale
36 | CSGA Links // March, 2015
knowledge as it relates
to water use. Their
contributions to the
committee developing
these plans can be
invaluable.”
“We are fortunate
that Connecticut doesn’t
have the drought history
seen in other parts of the
country, but preparedness
is still important,” added
Moraghan, “we want to
make sure our golf course operations are rewarded for
their conservation efforts and protected when water
use needs to be limited.”
“We had a very productive meeting with
Commissioner Betkoski,” said Ramsey, “it was
satisfying to see his enthusiasm for bringing golf
into the discussion.” Following the PURA meeting,
the Connecticut Association of Golf Course
Superintendents (CAGCS) and the CSGA nominated
Pete Gorman, superintendent at Pine Orchard in
Branford to serve on the Drought Preparedness and
Planning Committee.
Pesticide Issues
P
esticide use has been a focus of the State
Legislature’s Environment Committee for several
years. It was from this Committee that came legislation
banning the use of pesticides on school athletic fields in
grades K–8. Golf courses have thus far been exempted
from pesticide use restrictions, and initiatives to expand
restrictions are watched closely by the CSGA and the
CAGCS.
According to Moraghan, “We will continue
to monitor this issue and provide information as
needed to legislators and to the general public. Thus
far there has been a recognition by lawmakers that
golf course superintendents are certified professionals
whose minimal use of chemical products are properly
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