Water debate: Mayes says Arizona likely has excess golf courses

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes stated on Tuesday that the state likely has too many golf courses. The comment emerged from an interview with Politico regarding data centers and water usage in arid regions. It quickly became a central issue in the race for the top law enforcement post.

During the interview, Mayes discussed the need for better water management. She suggested that Arizona could do much more to conserve resources. She specifically cited tax incentives for rainwater catchment and removing lawns as potential solutions. Mayes noted that the state has way too much grass and that the golf industry probably has a surplus of courses.

Republican Senate President Warren Petersen responded to the remarks in a statement to Fox News Digital. He argued that golf courses support jobs, tourism, and small businesses. Petersen said Mayes should focus on enforcing laws and protecting consumers rather than dictating which industries thrive. In a separate social media post, he promised to remove Mayes from office.

Other political figures and business leaders joined the criticism. Republican Rep. Eli Crane said the state has a problem with Democrats, not golf courses. Tom Spengler, an e-procurement software CEO, noted that tee times are difficult to secure and rates have doubled or tripled since the pandemic. Justin Streiff of Turning Point USA claimed no one else had previously suggested Arizona had too much grass.

Courtney Coolidge, vice president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, provided economic data to counter the narrative. She cited a $6 billion economic impact from golf, 66,000 jobs, and $2.3 billion in wages. Coolidge stated that golf courses use 2 percent or less of the state's water. These figures align with a 2023 study by the Arizona Alliance for Golf.

Mayes responded on social media to clarify her position. She wrote that nobody was closing golf courses but that the state needs incentives to replace thirsty grass. She mentioned that she is addressing foreign mega-farms and data centers that drain the water supply. She also accused Petersen of spreading false claims about her intent.

The exchange continued on X, where some users called Mayes' response condescending. One user commented that they all heard her say to relax. Critics labeled her approach to the industry as communist. With Election Day approaching, Petersen is framing the controversy as a dispute over government intervention in the local economy.