The CSGA Links Volume 6 Issue 2 May, 2018 | Page 6

FIRST SHOT
Message from the CSGA Executive Director - Mike Moraghan
When Ignorance Rears Its Ugly Head

M

y favorite college professor, Howell Smith, used to say, “There is a difference be-
tween ignorance, and ignorant people. You can be forgiving of ignorant people. But ignorance
itself should be stamped out whenever it rears its ugly head.”

It’s difficult at times to make that distinction, and not grow tired of seemingly intelligent
people who are completely ignorant about golf. Those who make assumptions about golf based
upon a false narrative.

You feel like saying, “Wait a minute, do a little research, or maybe actually walk out onto a
golf course and look around before dumping on this amazingly complex and wonderful environ-
ment.” Why does it matter if some of the public doesn’t understand or appreciate golf ? Sometimes
it doesn’t, but it really does matter when the ignorant are decision-makers or influencers whose
judgments affect people’s lives and livelihoods, and effectively ruin something that is essentially
good.
The Water Issue

Back in April, we sent an email to every GHIN holder in Connecticut urging resistance to
language that was included in the 600-page State Water Plan. We did this to protect golf courses,
and to prevent groups who don’t like or understand golf from threatening course operations.

The State Water Plan is the work of Connecticut’s Water Planning Council, which over-
saw various committees with representatives from a number of interested stakeholders and con-
stituencies. The Plan was developed over the
course of four years. For golf ’s part we had
Peter Gorman, the superintendent at Pine
Orchard, representing golf as a member of
the Water Council’s Scientific Subcommittee.
With his wealth of knowledge and real-world
experience, Pete’s contribution to the process
was significant and invaluable.

Around the time of the final public
hearing on the Water Plan (late last fall), a num-
ber of environmental groups in Connecticut
reached out to their members encouraging
them to petition the Water Planning Council
to include “Public Trust” references and lan-
guage in the final draft of the plan.
A golf course: good for the environment.
6 | CSGA Links // May 2018
www.csgalinks.org