During a drought in Alberta that was driving ranchers out of business there was well that kept at least some of them from going under. A golf course used it as well and for the most part used the water responsibly but during the drought there was a charity tournament sponsored by the Great One himself. Because of the money it was going to raise and the benefits to future tourist opportunities the tournament was allowed to go and more water was used than normal in order to make course seem world class.
This proves the tournament organizers employed an unethical cost benefit analysis. Charity is noble but robbing the ranchers of their land, land that may have been in the family for generations just isn’t right. Step across the pond however and it has always been a like night and day compared to the Alberta fiasco. Golf at the St Andrews course in Scotland is played on public land. The Links link the sea and shore and are covered with hardy grass. There is no watering and almost no grooming. Because it is common land and people like to walk their dogs and or just enjoy being out there the course is closed on Sundays and if the Open is to be played there an order must be obtained from a judge. Looking at how the game has been transformed in North America says a lot about our culture. It takes millions to design and build a course and for most part the fairways and greens are emerald even when they are located in the desert.
photo from airforcenutrisoda
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