Golf Course Builders Association of America

09/01/2026

Water use continues to be an important conversation across the golf industry. 💧⛳

GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel participated in the Summer Meeting panel discussion to talk about responsible water use, golf course maintenance and the importance of sharing our industry’s story.

Thanks to Regina Sosing, “The Bridge Lady,” for capturing and sharing this moment from the conversation!

Allied & Association Leadership Panel | Did You Know Golf Courses Use Less Water? Justin Apel Explains Justin Apel, Executive Director of the Golf Course Builders Association of America (GCBAA), discusses how technology, innovation, and golf course design are helping the industry use water more effi...

08/31/2026

🧠Mental Health Monday

In our industry, there’s rarely a shortage of things demanding our attention — projects, deadlines, crews, equipment, weather, travel and the decisions that come with all of it.

But sometimes the things that make a difference are much smaller.

A walk outside. A conversation with someone on the crew. Taking a minute to appreciate a job well done. Enjoying the view of a project coming together. Or simply giving yourself permission not to overthink every little decision.

This article from Harvard Health shares a few simple ways to bring a little more happiness into the everyday — and it’s a good reminder that taking care of ourselves doesn’t always have to be complicated.

For our GCBAA members who spend their days building, creating and improving places for others to enjoy, don’t forget to find a few moments to enjoy along the way, too. 💚

What could you do today to feel happier? Three strategies drawn from positive psychology, a field that aims to improve moods and lives, may help. ...

08/28/2026

The 2026 GCBAA Summer Meeting may be behind us, but there are plenty of moments worth revisiting.

Great conversations. New connections. A memorable auction night. A little friendly competition on the golf course.⛳ And a whole lot of reasons we enjoy bringing the GCBAA family together.

👀 The photo gallery is now live. Take a look back at a memorable few days in Traverse City!

2026 Summer Meeting

08/27/2026

Great projects bring great teams together. ⛳

Work is underway on a major renovation at Travis Pointe Country Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan, bringing together two GCBAA members — MacCurrach Golf Construction, Inc., a GCBAA Charter Member and Certified Builder, and Chris Wilczynski, ASGCA, a GCBAA Professional Member.

We’re always proud to see GCBAA members collaborating and putting their expertise to work across the industry.

https://www.golfdaily.com/construction-underway-on-golf-course-renovation-at-travis-pointe-cc/

08/24/2026

Safety starts with what’s under the hard hat.

In the golf course construction industry, we talk a lot about jobsite safety—but not every risk is easy to see. Mental fatigue, stress and burnout can affect focus, communication and decision-making just as physical hazards can.

This article from Construction Business Owner shares practical ways construction leaders can make mental health part of everyday safety conversations—from checking in with crews to recognizing changes in behavior and encouraging people to look out for one another.

At GCBAA, we believe taking care of our people—both physically and mentally—is an important part of building a stronger, safer industry.

Safety starts with what’s under the hard hat

08/21/2026

There’s a lot happening beneath the surface.

A recent article from National Golf Course Owners Association highlights an encouraging trend for the golf industry: U.S. golf facilities have reduced irrigation water use by approximately 31% since 2005, according to GCSAA’s Golf Course Environmental Profile data.

It’s a great reminder of the continued progress being made across the industry through smarter water management, advancing technology, research, infrastructure improvements and collaboration.

From irrigation systems and water storage to monitoring technology and everyday course management, there are many pieces working together to help golf use water more efficiently.

Worth a read for anyone interested in the future of golf, water use and long-term resilience.

Across the United States, communities are confronting increasingly difficult questions about water. Population growth, drought, reduced snowpack, agriculture, development and emerging industries are placing additional demands on a resource essential to our communities and economy.

08/19/2026

Congratulations to our industry partner, GCSAA, on receiving Congressional recognition in honor of its 100th anniversary! We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and GCSAA’s century of service and lasting impact on the golf industry. 👏⛳

Congress is honoring GCSAA’s Centennial with bipartisan, commemorative resolutions in both the Senate and House of Representatives. H. Res. 1455 and S. Res. 834 each honor GCSAA’s 100 years of serving its members, advancing their profession and improving communities through enjoyment, growth and...

08/18/2026

Today, on National Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Day, we’re proud to recognize GCBAA Executive Director Justin Apel , who serves his local community as a volunteer firefighter.

Thank you, Justin, and all volunteer firefighters, for answering the call and giving your time in service to others. 🚒🔥

08/18/2026

Your mental health matters. 💚 Happiness isn’t about feeling great every day. This article is a helpful reminder to focus less on day-to-day moods and more on the things that keep us grounded and give us a sense of purpose.

A psychiatrist reveals the three components of happiness and what it means to achieve practical optimism in TODAY’s Expert Tip of the Day.

08/17/2026

Psychological safety belongs alongside physical safety on every jobsite. As Construction Su***de Prevention Week approaches, this is an important reminder that safety leaders can help create a culture where looking out for one another—and asking for help—is part of the job.

Read more from Occupational Health & Safety.

Construction Su***de Prevention Week highlights practical strategies safety leaders can use to address mental health risks, reduce stigma, improve access to care, and strengthen workforce resilience across jobsites.