This Week in Green Golf

The Ford Wayne Gretzky Classic is this weekend, and although nothing jumps out at me as being "green" it is co-hosted by The Raven at Lora Bay in Collingwood Ontario. The Raven at Lora Bay is an Audubon Certified, IPM Accredited (I think the 1st in Collingwood) facility. I Met the Superintendent Chris LeCour a few years ago, you can't help but to be moved by his passion for the environment and it's demonstrated in his maintenance practices. Check out his blog to read up on some of the happenings at Lora Bay.


The Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently released a Golf Course Water Resources Handbook for Best Management Practices handbook to help golf courses throughout the state restore wetlands, manage stormwater, and make courses more enjoyable. Read the full article here, and be sure to view the Power Point Presentation as it's easiest one of the best available on the internet. Download your free copy of the handbook at www.pecpa.org/gchandbook


Courtesy of the GCSAA, 2009 ELGA applications are now available!
From the press release: "The GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards are now available online. The ELGAs, presented in partnership with Syngenta and Rain Bird, Golf Division, recognize golf course superintendents and golf courses for their commitment to environmental stewardship. The deadline for applications is Oct. 18, 2009.

Applicants are judged on five areas: Resource Conservation, Water Quality Management, Integrated Pest Management, Wildlife/Habitat Management and Education/Outreach. National winners will be determined from the top public, private, resort and international applicants. From the national winners, an overall winner will be announced. In addition, Chapter and Merit prizes are also awarded.

All ELGA winners receive:

• Recognition in Golf Digest and GCSAA publications
• Recognition at the 2010 GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego.
• An invitation for the winner's employer to attend the recognition activities in San Diego.
• A personalized trophy or certificate of achievement
• National, regional and local publicity

For more information about the ELGAs, contact Greg Lyman, GCSAA’s director, environmental programs, at glyman@gcsaa.org or at 800-472-7878, ext. 3625."

Check out this GCSAA Video featuring previous ELGA Winner James Roney



Can you say this ten times fast "Dr. John Kaminski,Dr. Megan Kennelly,Dr. Jim Kerns, Dr. Lane Tredway,Dr. Frank Wong "?

Well you don't have to, instead just go to the shared blog aptly named "Golf Course Disease Updates By University Professors". This blog covers timely turf grass disease information for the Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and South Central regions of the US.



Landscape Management is an excellent resource when it comes to environment/turf news. Some of their latest articles that I really like include:
Ten Environmentally Friendly Landscape Tips
New Brunswick Pesticide Ban Explained
Weather Based Irrigation System Expected to Save Cemetery 100,00 Gallons

Bethpage may be greener than most!

Just found this tidbit on how Bethpage Black is Audubon Certified and uses effluent water for irrigation, right on! Bethpage Green has been playing with reduced pesticide rates for a while with the help of Rossi and Jennifer Grant, check out this link and this one too.
Easy to see the natural beauty of the site in this video.

Here are some effluent links for your reading pleasure, most are pro's, but the last one describes one of the con's, all good reads.

Using Effluent Water on Your Golf Course - MSU Turf Library
Waste Water Reuse for Golf Course Irrigation - The book
Effluent Water Encourages Turfgrass Growth - University of Florida Turfgrass Department Study
Effluent Study - Case Study - Foliar Damage Associated with Effluent Use on Mixed Landscapes

JT GOESFORETHEGREEN with Audubon Classic

The Audubon Classic is a new service/certification through Audubon International. The program is much like their Signature service/certification that delivers a high standard for new properties, but deals with the restoration/reconstruction of older properties.

From Audubon International:
"Owners and managers of properties with existing land uses have expressed interest in joining a program of similar rigor to our Audubon Signature Program for new developments. These properties include ones being redeveloped or going through restoration for improvement, while maintaining the same use. The Audubon Classic Program is based upon Audubon International’s experience working with multiple property types and also takes into account that some properties have been developed for certain uses and might be constrained by the prior development. Like the Audubon Signature Program, the Audubon Classic Program takes an approach that is flexible and adaptable to almost any type of existing property, including redevelopment and restoration projects. Membership is open to existing properties in any country."


Teeing off the programs first property is Justin Timberlakes new club Mirimichi, formerly Big Creek Golf Course, located just north of Memphis.
Here's an article from Mephis's own commercialappeal.com describing his efforts.

Video Interview - David Phipps

From GCSAA

GCSAA member David Phipps discusses the environmental programs he follows at Stone Creek Golf Course in Portland, Ore.

Video Interview - Tim Haskins

From GCSAATV

Superintendent Tim Haskins manages a unique course built on an abandoned quarry in Naples and uses just one variety of paspalum for the entire course.

GEO is my Hero

Ha, that's the best title I could come up with. Why my "hero"? Well, the Golf Environment Organisation (yes that is a S not a Z) have created what appears to be a great resource for golf courses to learn about environmental issues. Our industry needs this.

Welcome to the Golf Environment Organisation from Benjamin Warren on Vimeo.

Recently GEO released a new website and certification program. To bring you up to speed as to who and what the GEO is, I've covered them a couple times before - here and here. After an hour of perusing the program, much of which is not yet on the site, this post covers my initial impressions.

Basically any golf facility, new development or tour/event can sign up. For a facility the process is pretty simple, and I've compared it to Audubon Internationals (AI) Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses program to give some perspective.

1. Register
* Upload basic data & environmental policy - They're not kidding when they say basic, but it does give your club the opportunity to show what your environmental goals are.
* Make a commitment to responsible management. - A commitment that puts you on the map, literally. A little side note from my ego, I used google maps for this purpose before anyone else, just saying. haha.

2. Improve
* Use GEO Knowledge and EMS Toolkit - This stuffs pretty good, probably the best overview of all things golf/environment on the web, behind gorforethegreen.blogspot.com . I'll dive into it a bit more in the future, perhaps in an interview.
* Get support from golf federations / local NGO's - This is an interesting step, I like it a lot. I'll find out more.

3. Certify
* Upload detailed data within three years - From what I've seen of this, it's comparable to what AI asks within their certification criteria. I'm going to interview some of the clubs that are already certified and I'll give you specifics on this in the future.
* Appoint GEO accredited verifier for assessment visit - I'm getting more info on this too, stay tuned.

4. Verify
* On-site evaluation with constructive feedback - I love that this is done by an accredited GEO verifyer and not a volunteer like in AI's program but you've got to wonder, if you are paying between 1,200 and 2,900 Pounds per certification cycle (3yrs.) are they likely to fail you? Audubon International requires volunteer reviewers to have no connections to the golf course (members, employees, owners), it's easy to see the transparency in that.
* Certification awarded / pending / rejected - Sounds good.

5. Re-certify
* Repeat steps 2 - 4 within three years - As a matter of perspective, Audubon International requires that you reach the next step every two years with an annual due of $250 USD. This ends up being at least 1/4 of the price of the GEO program.
* GEO Certification requires continual improvement - Excellent! I hope the requirements will increase through time to reflect what the industry has learned. 5 Years ago the market was very different, and this change will grow exponentially within the next five.

So, is the GEO program better than AI's? No. Comparable maybe, but I don't yet see the significant advantage. If I discover otherwise I'll post a review.

Do we need another certification program? Perhaps. Some Superintendents tell me that AI's program falls short, and why else would companies like Kemper Sports create their own program?

Overall, I'm thrilled to see this new development in our industry and the fact that they've included events is ground braking. Good on them, and I wish the program great success.


Here's another source for you, europeantour.com

Kemper Sports Goes Fore The Green

Although most golf management companies have an environmental program (which usually consists of Audubon Certifications and other lesser known stewardship rating programs), Kemper Sports out of Illinois has created a new program "Green To A Tee" that their own courses are aspiring to reach. This really raises the bar in our industry, great job Kemper.

(Videos too big for my page, go here)

From their website:

"The Green to a Tee program encompasses environmentally focused initiatives within several core areas of facility operations, including:
· Golf course maintenance
· Habitat management
· Water conservation
· Energy usage
· Recycling
· “Green” vendor utilization
· Staff education and training
In addition to formalizing the company’s policy on environmental practices at both the corporate and property levels, the Green to a Tee program arms the more than 5,000 KemperSports staffers throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with tools and training in environmentally-friendly practices that they can implement on the job and in their homes".

Sounds like an excellent program, I'm currently setting up a time with Kemper Sports Executive Vice President, Jim Seeley to learn more about the four steps mentioned in the video.

But what about the golf courses not managed by Kemper Sports? How can they be involved in steps beyond Audubon? (I know it was on your mind) Well I suppose those clubs can check out this site.

Bat Habitat Conservation on Golf Courses

A fellow Blogger, David Dodds from the UK, writes a blog called davidsbatblog.blogspot.com

As an effort to be good environmental stewards, encourage habitat, and get rid of some mosquito's, a local golf club put up Bat Boxes. David gives his readers a great first hand account to surveying these artificial habitat structures and explains the importance of such features.

Check out the post here.

I didn't want to poach Davids photographs with out permission, so here's a photo of a Box Box from GlenCairn Golf Club in Milton, Ontario, Canada. Although this box has not been successful, two identical boxes on the other side of the property have housed approximately 30 Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus), for information on this species in Canada go here. For more information on Bat habitat, visit Bat Conservation International.

Here's a few examples of Bat habitat conservation on golf courses:

Warren Golf Course in Indiana built several Bat Boxes as part of their efforts to gain certification in Wildlife and Habitat Management.

Fortune Bay Resort Casino installed Bat Boxes on the golf course.

GREEN GOLF ON THE GO

The world of golf has been busy with press releases and eco-awareness this week, here's a few of the headlines:

Bag Tags Spread the Good Green Word
Evergreen and Sticks for Kids team up to offer bag tags with earth friendly messages, such as:

• Go hug that tree you just hit. The shade it's creating is trying to keep you cool out there.
• Nice divot. Now go fix it. That grass you're tearing up cleans the air so you can breathe a little easier.

Texas, "Green-Washed" Audubon and Getting Off of Potable Water
A great article from the Statesman - well written and truthful.

Bearwood Gets BIGGA Award
The British and International Golf Greenskeeping Association awards Bearwood Golf Club the "Innovation Prize" for the restoration and maintenance of 2 large ponds, reducing water use, composting and recycling.
Mentioned in the above article is the STRI and Syngenta Crop Protection Trials, why is this not happening in North America? I'm not sure but I'll find out soon!

Winds of Change? or Pain?
Golfers say wind turbines are too much of a distraction.

5 More To Go
Marriot is on a roll

No Birdies for Trumps New Course
More critisism on Trumps rump in the dunes

Arabian Coastline and Golf - "at one with nature"

Water Reuse Project at WSU
Washington State recieves $1 million in aid towards a $16 million in waste-water collection plan that will provide WSU and Palouse Ridge Golf Club. The Palouse Water Conservation Network offers some insight into the situation.

Florida Green Lodging Program Awards Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club the One Palm
The property has reduced water use per laundry load by 18 percent, and utilizes organically-based fertilizers, nutrients, and pesticides on its golf course.

Golf Course Profile - Wyndance Golf Club

Notable Environmental Features:

• Audubon Certified in early 2008
  
• Working towards IPM Accreditation
  
• Native seed collection and planting program
• Erosion control projects
• Constructed in a retired sand quarry
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority Watershed Stewardship Award
  
• Designed by world-class golfer and designer Greg Norman
  

For a review of Wyndance Golf Club, go here.

For more information about ClubLink Membership and Wyndance Golf Club, go here

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

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.

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.

So Cool - Bonterra and Audubon International

I'm a big fan of Bonterra Wines, its one of the Merlot's I bring to parties. I had no idea they were as passionate about golf as I am, until I saw this:

"Bonterra Wines, the world's best selling wine made with organic grapes**, knows what it takes to find a balance between preserving nature and producing an award-winning product. As the Official Wine of The PGA of America, Bonterra is committed to helping golf courses find their balance between the environment and the game of golf.

That's why Bonterra is working with Audubon International to "Green the Greens" at courses across the U.S. From September 17, 2008 until the end of the PGA Tour season (11/10/08), a limited number of golf courses can join the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) on Bonterra's dime. The ACSP is an award winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. "

How cool is that?
Although it's not available to International courses it is available to those in the US, all you have to do is submit your registration to Bonterra, and they will cover the $200 ACSP registration fee for the first 100 U.S. based courses who sign up from September 17 - November 10, 2008.

Golf courses can register here

Awesome, way to go Bonterra and Audubon International

Good Source of Information: Golfdom

I subscribe to a number of golf publications to keep up to date with industry advancements. I've cut my print subscriptions down throughout the years and instead sign up for a lot of web-based e-zines.

One of which is the Golfdom Insider. Golfdom is a great source of information for anyone who works in the golf industry, they aim to be an "upscale publication designed to fill the niche between the highly technical association journal and the newsy tabloids".

They cover a huge amount of environmental issues, here's a few links from their site:

Joe Hubbard - The Natural

ASGCA Issues Sustainable Development Guidelines

From Food Waste to Fertilizer

Solar Golf Cars

Audubon in Action

Turfgrass Trends (a number of links)

Environment Still Number 1 Concern For Golf

Podcasts : Biodeisel, Snow Mold (Mould for you Canadians), Syngenta Professional Products - Meridian insecticide

Videos: Fertilizer Prices, Golf and Environment,

Background on Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

If you haven't heard of the Audubon program for golf courses, your probably on the wrong site. Here's a little background for you, from Audubon:

"The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Course is an award winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect our environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf operations, the program serves as vital resource for golf courses.

Getting involved is easy. Membership is open to golf courses in the United States and internationally, including private clubs, public and municipal courses, PGA sites, 9-hole facilities, resort courses, and golf residential communities. After joining the program, your next step is to take stock of environmental resources and potential liabilities, and then develop an environmental plan that fits your unique setting, goals, staff, budget, and time. Audubon International provides a Site Assessment and Environmental Planning Form to provide guidance, as well as educational information to help you with:

Environmental Planning Wildlife and Habitat Management Chemical Use Reduction and Safety

Water Conservation Water Quality Management Outreach and Education

Based on a site specific report provided by Audubon International, you develop a plan that works for your golf course. By implementing and documenting environmental management practices in the above areas, a golf course is eligible for designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, improving its stature and reputation."

They just released a new website with a whole bunch of great information, unfortunately I can't post links to anything so instead go there yourself and check it out www.auduboninternational.org, be sure to check out the map page which lists both the number of courses and the total percentage of courses within each state.

"It's sink or swim time: Golf must push forward"

The Globe and Mail is one of Canada's few newspapers written at a post secondary reading level. The Globe is well known for its golf coverage, check it out here.

Recently an article, Click here, appeared on Globeandmail.com which evaluated directions the industry, according to the writer, should go. Here's a bit from the article:

"Environmental accountability will be so aggressive and predominant a generation from now that I suspect we'll look back and shake our heads at ourselves. Right now, only about 600 of 23,000 golf courses in the United States, for instance, have the Audubon certification for best practices in golf-course maintenance. Less than 3 per cent? That's not even close to respectable."

A little side note: Canada has approximately 2000 golf courses and at last count only 53 were Audubon Certified - just over 3% - the highest percent of any country involved in the program! Way to go eh!

"Is Tiger Woods bad for the environment"

A great discussion if you get the chance, find it here.

"Golfs Green Handicap" according to National Geographic

Vintage 1997

Desert Springs Golf Club - Another Marriot Property gets Audubon Certified

From the article:
"On the heels of instituting an International mandate program whereby all managed golf properties throughout North America and the Caribbean become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries in 2008, Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, announced that Desert Springs Golf Club, located in Palm Desert, Calif., is the 11th property in the collection to achieve certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses".