Golf course management decisions must be made based on the principles of Sustainable Resource Management. This can be defined as a pattern of human activity that can be supported indefinitely. This means it must be synonymous with progress. It also means becoming less dependent on non-renewable resources and that activities associated with golf course management must not create a negative impact environmentally. In many people's eyes, golf courses have an image as an energy waster and polluter.
Environmental quality has many aspects.
Public perception and attitude is often influenced by the popular press. Upon inquiring as the types of studies into the problems associated with environmental quality and the Neuse River which focussed specifically on lawn and golf course problems, it was determined that there were none. The danger here is obvious. Since fertilizers and pesticides are used on lawns and golf courses they must create a pollution problem. What is lacking is good, scientifically valid data which identifies a specific problem which must be corrected.