WHY GOLFERS WANT SHORT ROUGH

The Growling Frog Golf Course - Australia

The Growling Frog Golf Course has won a number of international and national environmental awards. The course is watered with recycled water, including the use of reclaimed water from the Whittlesea Treatment Plant and recycled sewer effluent from the clubhouse.

The clubhouse contains water saving plumbing devices as well as a range of other environmentally friendly features, such as high performance solar control glass and thermal and acoustic insulation in the walls and ceiling.

After the recent exciting discovery that confirmed the presence of the nationally threatened Growling Grass Frog at the Growling Frog Golf Course, Council is hoping to secure funding to secure the habitat of this species.

As part of the Living Rivers Program, a concept plan has been developed that looks at options of catching and treating stormwater runoff from the carpark and the roof of clubhouse at the golf course.

This water will be used to create new wetland areas. It is hoped this initiative will further enhance the site as a potential breeding ground and ensure that the Growling Grass Frog has a secure future at the golf course that bears its name.

Learn more here

The Greenest Clubhouse?

We are looking for the greenest clubhouse in North America and we need your help.

The building could be LEED Certified, Strawbale, Solar/Wind powered, anything as long as you think the building is going beyond the industries norm to be "green".

For some "Green Building 101" check out this article from inhabitat.com

Post your pick below in comments.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is named a top green golf resort again

From core recycling and experimenting with different turf varieties to "Global Development Hot Spots", Golf Inc's coverage of Environmental Excellence is a fantastic collection of properties going above and beyond, and the companies that are helping them do it.
Check out Golf Inc. Magazines article here

"Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been named one of the world's most environmentally sensitive golf resorts by Golf Inc. magazine in its September 2008 issue, winning its inaugural "Green Award." This comes only a few short months after Golf Magazine named Kiawah Island Golf Resort one of the top "green" golf resorts in the U.S. in its April 2008 issue."

Read a great review of the issue from Worldgolf.com

FORE GREEN

Probably one of the most encouraging things I've found in my time writing this blog!

foregreen.org is a site created by Derek Oakey, a young professional golfer from LeGrange, GA.

You know what, just check it out here.

Well done Derek.

Greens Getting Greener

Prairie Restoration - Why Golf Courses Need Grants

If your going to be in Iowa, then check it out.

From way back in 2006 - Green Golf Awards from GOLF.COM

Listed from the article:

Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island, Fla.
888-261-6161, aipfl.com
A master plan that dates to 1971 includes protections for the native tidal marshes, oceanfront dunes, grasslands and savannahs. In addition, the resort created a 40-foot vegetation buffer to allow waterways to remain pristine.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa
Austin, Tex. 800-336-6158, bartoncreek.com
In 2001, Barton Creek received the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) National Environmental Steward Award. And the efforts of all four courses to provide sanctuary for wildlife led to Audubon certification.

The Broadmoor
Colorado Springs, Colo.
866-837-9520, thebroadmoor.com
The initiatives fostered here include a massive recycling program, water use restrictions and the conversion of 50 acres of turf grass to native grasslands and wildflower areas.

Kapalua Resort
Maui, Hi.
800-527-2582, kapaluamaui.com
Both of Kapalua's courses are Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, its Pu'u Kukui summit is the largest private nature preserve in Hawaii, and its Honolua and Mokuleia Bays are Hawaii State Marine Life Conservation Districts.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, S.C.
800-654-2924, kiawahresort.com
Thanks to its seamless blending into the Lowcountry environment, all five courses plus the grounds at The Sanctuary hotel have recently been certified by Audubon International as Cooperative Sanctuaries.

Mauna Lani Resort
Big Island, Hi.
808-885-6622, maunalani.com
The resort's three-acre PowerLight photovoltaic system allows Mauna Lani to generate more solar electric power than any resort in the world.

Pebble Beach Golf Links
Pebble Beach, Calif.
800-654-9300, pebblebeach.com
The list of eco-friendly projects at Pebble Beach is extensive, including protecting Harbor Seal nursery areas and waterfowl habitat, and wastewater reclamation schemes.

Pinehurst Resort
Pinehurst, N.C.
800-487-4653, pinehurst.com
An early arrival to the green-golf movement, Pinehurst established the Safe Harbor Program way back in 1995, which protected and enhanced habitats for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker.

Reynolds Plantation
Greensboro, Ga.
706-467-0600, reynoldsplantation.com
In addition to enjoying Audubon certification for four of its golf courses, Reynolds Plantation recently received the Outstanding Business Leadership Award from Rivers Alive, an environmental outreach program that centers on keeping waterways clean.

Turning Stone Resort & Casino
Verona, N.Y.
800-771-7711, turningstone.com
Three of the four courses here — Shenandoah, Sandstone Hollow and Kaluhyat — earned Certified Bronze Audubon Signature Sanctuary status from Audubon International.

"Troubled Waters: Golf's Future in a Thirsty World "

Well the title says it all, but it's this line from the NGCOA report titled "Troubled Waters: Golf's Future in a Thirsty World" that surprised me:

"balanced with the ethical consideration that at the end of the day there are things in the life of a community more important than a game."

Wow! That's coming directly from the National Golf Course Owners Association.

Click here and here to learn more.

Organic Golf Course - Kabi

Check out a great article about Kabi here.

Some Highlights on Kabi's Organic Golf Course Maintenance

The Kabi golf course and orchard are BFA {Biological Farmers Association} certified. Kabi is the only golf course in Australia that is currently certified by the BFA. Research has shown us that Kabi is potentially the only golf course in the southern hemisphere if not the world that is certified organic by a government body.

KEEPING THE GREENS: The main grasses used are warm-season Couch and cool-season Poa, which have been chosen for their lower water requirement. Inputs include good quality composts as well as beneficial microbiology in combination with minerals.

WEED CONTROL: Seasonal weeds are controlled mainly by hand weeding and some biodynamic practices.

PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL: Mole crickets, black beetles and ants are controlled with biodynamic practices and various botanical oils.The main disease encountered is dollar spot, which is controlled with beneficial biology.