Carbon Neutral - The Next Big Buzz in Golf Tournaments?

First thing first, what is Carbon Neutral?

Being carbon neutral, or having a zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset. Best practice for organizations and individuals seeking carbon neutral status entails reducing and/or avoiding carbon emissions first so that only unavoidable emissions are offset.
Here's some more info from www.treehugger.com

Becoming Carbon Neutral has gained popularity within some of the larger golf tournaments, here's a few examples:
2010 Ryder Cup - The Most Environmentally Sustainable Event Ever? We'll keep our eyes on this one!
Celebrity Golf Classic
2008 Cadbury Schweppes Australian PGA Championships
2008 Washington Ec0-Golf Classic
Deutsche Bank Championship Tournament
British Peruvian Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament
RockTron Charity Tournament

Addressing the issue of Carbon in the industry - great article by Golf Environment Europe
A solar powered golf cart example here
Justin Rose (Pro Aussie Golfer) commits to go Carbon Neutral

Golf Course Profile - Club de Golf Rivermead

Welcome to Rivermead...


Notable Environmental Features:

• Expected to be Audubon Certified within the Winter of 08/09, with assisstance provided by OOAL
  
• Mature habitat zones with strong corridor connectivity along streams and pond features
• An ESD Waste to Water System, follow this link for more information
  
• Test Plot for "Biological Control of Turfgrass Snow Molds with the fungus Typhula phacorrhiza" with Dr. Tom Hsiang, Dept. Environmental Biology, University of Guelph. More Information Here
• Member within the Coalition for Responsible Golf

Photographs courtesy of superintendent Dereck Powers
Interested in more information on Rivermead?
Course Photo Gallery
Course History
Membership Information

Take A Gander At Some Goose Control Options

I'll be posting on this topic often, but figured I'd need to start somewhere.

Some specie background from Wikipedia here.

A few management guidelines can be found here, and from the USGA here.

A couple interesting contraptions can be found here.

Behavior Modifications Here.

Electric and Fuel Efficient Equipment - Chainsaws

We've discussed this before but not in much detail, and although this post only provides links, I plan on sourcing more information on this important topic area. You may not of considered it before, but emission restrictions will be implemented in many major metropolitan areas, the state of California has already come out with legislation that has restricted the sale of many brands. Its happening elsewhere in the states and in Canada.

But don't worry too much, the beauty of the free-market is providing many options before you'll have to dust off that Ol'Bow Saw.

Electric Chainsaws
The previous post got me thinking about electric equipment, specifically asking the question: Would it withstand the pressures that a woodland course demands of its chainsaws?
Whether they're battery powered or rely on a cord (there's lots of battery pack options now for field work) electric equipment has improved drastically in recent years. Keep in mind that electric equipment, although smaller, unable to tackle the big stuff and cannot be used while it's raining, fulfills an extremely beneficial role at urban golf courses - they are quite!
A review of Common Brand Electric Chainsaws, Here and Here (this ones better)
A review of Remington Electric Chainsaws, here
A review of Poulan Electric Chainsaws, here
A review of Makita Electric Chainsaws, here


What about the "Low Emission"/ "Fuel Efficient" options?
I know, a Treehugging Chainsaw is hard to picture, but these companies are trying:
John Deere Chainsaw Options here
A "Greener Shade of Orange" by STIHL: Products, STIHLs Mission EXCELLENT EFFORT STIHL!!!
Husqvarna offers up solutions here

Are we going to see this method on a golf course?

View the video below from the 3:30 to the 9:30 point



So what do you think? In five years? 10 years? Tomorrow?
Should Toro make an energy independent utility vehicle?
Would you buy one?

Add your comments below.

The Environmental Institute for Golf

Who is the Environmental Institute for Golf?

What began as a modest $200 scholarship awarded to a student in 1955 has evolved over the past 50 years into a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities directed at strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with the natural environment. As the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), The Environmental Institute for Golf (The Institute) relies upon the support of many individuals and organizations to fund programs and projects that help golf courses fulfill the environmental, recreational and economic needs of their communities. The Institute is fortunate to have more than 9,000 active donors, representing each of the United States and 67 countries worldwide, supporting its efforts. Why? They believe in the future of the game and its positive impact to a community.

In January 2003, The Institute evolved from The GCSAA Foundation, originally established in 1955, with a new name, mission and focus. The Institute concentrates on delivering programs and services involving information collection, research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course.

Today, The Institute funds more than $1 million annually in environmental programs, including scientific research, education, information collection, outreach and scholarships.

The Environmental Institute for Golf is committed to strengthening the compatibility of the game of golf with our natural environment.

By 2008 the EIG hopes to provide:

• Collaboration between the golf and environmental communities will lead to programs and services beneficial to all who come in contact with the game of golf.
• Golf course design, construction and management will implement environmental standards to strengthen the compatibility of golf and the environment.
• The environmental, recreational and economic aspects of golf courses will be enhanced for their communities.

The Environmental Institute for Golf offers a ton of great resources, click on the topics below for an amazing collection of Case Studies, Research Papers and Advertisements:

Service Water Quality

Integrated Plant Management

Golf Course Siting, Design and Construction

Wildlife and Habitat Management

Energy and Waste Management

Ground Water Protection

Water Use and Conservation

All Case Studies


Follow this link for another video featuring Greg Norman.

Lend Your Ear - Pesticides and Democrats!

I'm often referring to Golfdom as a great source of industry information, they provide excellent articles that evaluate trends and technologies that affect our industry.

In the most recent Pod Cast Golfdom Editor in Chief Larry Aylward conducts an excellent interview with Neil Cleveland, Director of the US Green Business for Bayer Environmental Science. Some great insight from two guys with a lot of experience in a changing industry.

Gabcast! Pesticides and Democrats #1

More Marriots become Audubon Certified

As mentioned in previous posts (here and here) Marriot is on a mission to get all golf properties Audubon Certified, here's a few new ones.

Seaview GC in Florida

Willow Crest Golf Club at Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort in Oak Brook, Ill.

And also at Marriot - Chris Flynn, Director of Grounds for Grande Pines Golf Club, located in Orlando, Fla., was named Golf Grounds Manager of the Year.

Organic Golf - The Cliffs

"Organic Golf"

Are you envisioning fields of Dandelions?
Bare soil greens?
Clouds of Locusts?

Well don't, instead I want you to imagine one of the largest Golf Communities in North/South Carolina and an on-site
laboratory affiliated with Clemson University to provide industry-leading turfgrass research in the area of ORGANIC golf course management.

Wow! I'm sure the hippies on Saltspring Island are impressed, as am I.

Check it out here.

Here's the buzz:

“We are excited about teaming up with Clemson University on a project that we expect will blaze trails in research and positively impact not only our communities but the business of golf course development and management. The Cliffs decided to undertake this project because it’s the right thing to do. ‘Going green’ is beneficial for all of us –as individuals and families, for our businesses, and ultimately, for our economy as a whole. It’s a better way of living, and that’s what we seek to provide here at The Cliffs: the best place to work, live, and play in America.”
Jim Anthony, President and Founder of The Cliffs Communities.

“In five years, I’d like this Center’s findings to prove that, with a team of highly-trained professionals, a golf course can be managed in a way that actually serves to enhance the environment. It’s our hope to share the knowledge that we uncover along the way to those who are interested in using these new techniques to improve their property management practices, whether they be golf courses, athletic fields, green spaces, or private lawns.”
Daniel Brazinski, Vice President of Golf Maintenance at The Cliffs Communities.

Compost

Le Maitre de Mont-Tremblant, Composting is a key part of their environmental stewardship program

I'm a big fan of composting.

I know a hand full of golf courses who are making use of their green wastes, in some cases even from resort restaurants, and using it out on the course. It's "brown, hot, stinky gold" I'm told. I've wanted to post information on composting for quite some time, so here it goes, just a bunch of links but I'll definitely source out some more case studies.

This article describes a common situation at golf courses and University campuses, they are concerned about smells, safety (a little paranoid I think) and aesthetics. All of these can be dealt with quite easily, below are a few compost links that may help you refine your techniques.

Start small:
Composting 101
The Compost Recipe
The Composting Guy (great for gardens and limited space and $)

Large Scale:
Farm technique can be modified for use at golf courses

Golf Specific Articles:
Golf Compost
Green Golf with video - MUST WATCH
R&A Article
Looks like a great article - must sign up to read whole thing.
Case Study
Great Case Study
Temporal effects of Compost and Fertilizer Applications on Nitrogen Fertility of Golf Course Turfgrass

Compost Tea
Compost Tea - I love this stuff!
More Compost Tea
Even More Compost Tea

Composting Toilets
Golf Course Dumps Portable Toilets for Composting Ones - I've used them, they are great! You'll see a lot more courses, especially in dry regions, install these soon.

I am awaiting photos from Blakburn Meadows Organic Golf Course on Salt Spring Island who are in the process of installing a home made version.

I'll be posting more info on composting, if you have any experience with composting at your course please tell us your experiences in the comment section.

Portarlington GC using stormwater

The Geelong Advisor wrote a perfect article, so I'm just going to re-post it here and give them credit, enjoy!

A pipeline now connects the Portarlington water reclamation plant with the town's golf course.

The 3.5km pipeline will supply up to 50 million litres of class C recycled water a year _ more than half the club's needs to irrigate the course, gardens and clubhouse surrounds.

It replaces a temporary above-ground pipeline constructed in 2006 to provide water during the drought.
Barwon Water managing director Michael Malouf said the permanent connection would save about 30 million litres of drinking water a year and provide the golf course with a secure supply.

``The Portarlington Golf Club has been a real leader in finding alternative sources to irrigate the course, using rainwater and stormwater in past years,'' Mr Malouf said.

``While these methods provide about half the club's needs, drinking water was required to make up the shortfall.''
The existing stormwater and rainwater collection, combined with the recycled water, means the club can maintain the course without using valuable drinking water.

Mr Malouf said four other customers used water from the Portarlington plant.
``With the golf course now connected, 100 per cent of the recycled water produced at the plant is being used, mainly for viticulture,'' he said.

The golf club used a $100,000 federal community water grant to help pay for the $220,000 pipeline. It funded the balance.

Barwon Water upgraded infrastructure at the plant to improve the access to recycled water.
Golf club manager Kerry Bond said the club had developed a water-wise usage plan in 2002.
``Several years ago, the club identified long-term water supply as an issue and set about making the golf course self-sufficient in water,'' Ms Bond said.

``We are committed to environment sustainable water use, and the connection of the recycled water pipeline is the culmination of many years' work.''

Suzuki has provinces ear, now you do too!

As mentioned in previous posts, the David Suzuki Foundation recommended 9 chemicals to the list of Active Ingredients proposed by the province for the Ontario Pesticide Ban. The province just released the final draft (check out Class Nine) of the law which included all of the chemicals listed by the DSF.

The province does intend to exempt Golf Courses under the following conditions and circumstances:
• The golf course must be fully accredited in integrated pest management (IPM) within three (3) years after the golf course is registered by an approved IPM accreditation body.
• There is a requirement to prepare annual reports on pesticide use explaining how pesticides will be minimized the following year.
• The reports must be presented annually at public meetings.

What do you think?
Post comments below, but even more importantly send comments to the Ontario Government.
The proposal has been posted for a 45 day public review and comment period starting November 07, 2008. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by December 22, 2008 to the individual listed below.

Robert Bilyea
Senior Policy Advisor
Ministry of the Environment
Integrated Environmental Planning Division
Strategic Policy Branch
135 St. Clair Avenue West
Floor 11
Toronto Ontario
M4V 1P5
Phone: (416) 314-5605
Fax: (416) 314-2976

GREEN GOLF on the GO

Every once in a while I get overwhelmed with the amount of potential posts, so instead of doing a bunch of individual posts I compile the links with a brief intro, Enjoy!

The Sports Business Journal has a few articles of note, you must sign up as a member to view.
Golf Without Turf - Artificial Surfaces
Golf Deals with a range of Environmental Issues

Interesting perspective! This article starts off by claiming: "For years, a golf course—or proximity to one—has been a prerequisite of the destination meeting. But as meeting planners increasingly seek to green their practices within the meetings and lodgings parameter, they are likely wondering about the green practices of the greens outside".
Read the rest of the article here.

More on the Trump fiasco.

I'll have to write an article on this topic soon, but for now here's just a peak at what is happening in Spain.
And while we're at it here's a bit more background on the concept of water trading.

Here's a bit on Ontario's water problems, from the article:
"Starting Jan. 1, 2009, industrial or commercial water users that fall within certain categories will be required to pay $3.71 for every million litres of water they take".
As of right now Golf Courses are not included within the defined "certain categories".

The above concerns could have something to do with this situation in Orangeville Ontario.


Toppoint has recently released the eCo RANGE golf Ball - "Toppoint Corporation Limited is the LEADER in golf balls manufacturing in Thailand for worldwide export." www.toppointgolf.com

Golf Courses contribute to conservation efforts, here and in some cases it's a little more complicated, like here.

More on the upcoming Ontario Pesticide Ban

In response to our recent post regarding the list of nine chemicals the David Suzuki Foundation feels should be included in the Ontario Pesticide Ban - F Portenier said...
"What is the prevalence of use of these pesticides in the Golfing Industry?"

I've decided to do a bit of research for F Portenier and provide the names of active ingredients listed by DSF by providing links to approved uses and products that they can be found in. As for which ones are used for golf? A licensed exterminator can spray a schedule 1-6 pesticide (look here for details), the most common of these chemicals on golf courses would be the Glyphosate products. It is important to note that the province of Ontario does expect to exempt golf courses from any "ban" through the use of an accreditation program. My understanding is that the province is working towards updating the IPM Acreditation Program, currently adminstered through Ridgetown College.

Click here to see which orgainizations/companies are IPM Acredited under the current program.

Okay, here are the chems:

Abamectin - Used to control insect and mite pests of a range of agronomic, fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops, and it is used by homeowners for control of fire ants. Abamectin is also used as a veterinary antihelmintic.
Uses Here, Here and Here
Products Here, Here and Here

Acetamiprid - Control of Sucking-Type Insects on Leafy Vegetables, Fruiting Vegetables, Cole Crops, Citrus Fruits, Pome Fruits, Grapes, Cotton, and Ornamental Plants and Flowers.
Uses Here, Here and Here
Products Here

Glufosinate Ammonium - The herbicide is a broad spectrum herbicide which is comparatively bio-degradeable similar to glyphosate.^[1] Glyphosate was first sold by Monsanto under the tradename Roundup, but is no longer under patent. It is sold under the brand names sold under trade names Basta, Buster and Liberty. Crops have been developed (genetically engineered) which are resistant to this herbicide through the insertion of the bar gene^[2] into plants.
Uses Here,and Here
Products Here and Here

Glyphosate Acid is a Herbicide found in products typically used at golf courses, forestry, agriculture and lawn care industry. Trade names for products containing glyphosate include Gallup, Landmaster, Pondmaster, Ranger, Roundup, Rodeo, and Touchdown. It may be used in formulations with other herbicides.
Uses Here, Here, and Here
Products Here, Here (must scroll down and find Glyphosate Acid on list)

Isopropylamine Salt of Glyphosate is a Herbicide found in products typically used at golf courses, lawn care industry, forestry and agriculture.
Products Here, Here, and Here
Uses Here , Here

Metam is a soil fumigant used as a pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide.
Products found Here, and Here
Uses found Here, Here and Here

Napropamide is a herbicide mostly used for agriculture. Trade names for products containing napropamide include Devrinol and R-7465. It may also be found in formulations with other pesticides such as monolinuron, nitralin, simazine, trifluralin, tefurthrin, and tebutam. It is compatible with many other herbicides and fungicides.
Products are found Here,
Uses are found Here, and Here

Thiram is a fungicide mostly used in Agriculture. Common names include thiram (U.S.), thiuram (Japan), and TMTD (former U.S.S.R.), TMT, and TMTDS. Trade names include AAtack, Arasan, Aules, Fermide 850, Fernasan, FMC 2070, Hexathir, Mercuram, Micropearls, Nomersan, Pomarsol, Puralin, Rezifilm, Rhodiasan Express, Spotrete, Tersan, Thiosan, Thiotex, Thiramad, Thirame, Thiuramin, Thirasan, Tirampa, Tiuramyl, TMTC, TMTD 50 Borches, Trametan, Tuads, and Tulisan.
Products containing Thiram can be found Here and Here
Uses Here and Here

THE NO SPRAY ZONE

nosprayzone.org is a fantastic site that aims to provide chemical free solutions to prevent Gypsy Moth outbreaks.
Here is some more info on Gypsy Moths.

Great Source of Info

Early spring photo of Heron Point Golf Club, near Hamilton, Ontario Canada

My goal with GO FORE THE GREEN is to provide as much information as possible about environmental issues facing the golf industry and to explore possible solutions. In order to keep myself in the loop I check as many news sources as I can. Science Daily reports on the latest science news and research from throughout the world and has collected a number of great articles on environmental issues facing golf. Check them out below:

Wildlife and Habitat Issues

Golfers and Golf Courses Benefit from Native Grasses in Rough

Golfers Beware! Deer Ticks Lurking in the Rough

Could Golf Courses Double as Wildlife Sanctuaries?

Pesticide Issues

Site of US Open Reducing Pesticides (Excellent Article)

Golfing Towards a Greener Environment

Purdue Golf Course Serves as Environmental Research Lab

Putting Doesn't Pollute - Research Finds

Better Golf Course Chemical Management with "KTURF" website
Website found here

Plants can make Golf Courses Better by Filtering Pesticides
We covered this issue in one of our own articles, find it here.

Inhalation of Golf Courses Pesticide Causes "Minimal Health Risk"

Scientists Battle Cold Weather Mold

Water Quality

Wetlands Clean Water and may Control Neigborhood Flooding Issues

Commercial Aquatic Plants offer Cost-Effective Method for Treating Waste Water

Gator on the Golf Course

David Suzuki Foundation on Candian Pesticide Bans

The David Suzuki Foundation has a number of news releases and articles on the upcoming Ontario Pesticide ban, including a list of 9 chemicals that didn't make it to the original ban list. All articles can be found here.

Pat Jones on pesticides

Here, here and here (best article of them all) is the study Pat refers too.

GREEN GOLF ON THE GO

TRUMP GETS THE GO
From the Timesonline
From the Scotsman
From the AFP

Christopher Gray receives 2008 Rain Bird - Intelligent Use of Water Award

Calgary Golf Community Goes Fore The Green

Carbon Foot Print - an issue for golf course superintendents

Another MASSIVE golf project planned for Cyprus despite lack of water

Super gets recognized for environmentally friendly approach