Learn bow to become a

"green golfer" to help the

environment as you play.

www.nrpa.org/p&r

Nature is increaWigf^Hfing taken into

account during golf course maintenance.

3 4 P A R K S ( r ' R E C R E A T t O N M A Y 2 0 0 7

Quality golf facilities are increasingly

maintaining their courses and the

environment

By Ted Eleftheriou

^ here are about 60 acres ofI naturalized prairie grasses.We have a lot of nest boxesand feeders for songbirds.We have even done butterfly

migration studies on Monarch butter-flies," Kerry Satterwhite explains. Sur-prisingly, Satterwhite is not a tour guidedescribing a wildlife sanctuary or host-ing a nature show, ln fact, the Certified(iolf Course Superintendent {CGCS) isdescribing The Den at Fox Creek golfcourse in Bloomington, III.

As the superintendent of golf coursemaintenance for the parks and recre-ation department for the city of Bloom-ington, Satterwhite manages three 18-hoie facilities, including The Den at FoxCreek. In addition to being an ArnoldPalmer Signature Course, the naturalis-tic course has achieved the distinctionof Certified Audubon CooperativeSanctuary.

According to Audubon International,fewer than a quarter of the 2,300 golfcourses that are currently striving toearn the certification have fulfilled therequirements. To be a recipient of thecertification, golf courses must meet orexceed the standards in six categories:

^- environmental planning, wildlife andhabitat management, chemical usereduction and safety, water conserva-

" tion, water quality management andoutreach and education.

It was not long ago when golf coursesand the environment seemed to be atopposite ends of the conservation spec-trum. Environmental concerns of golfcourse use included the use of chemi-kfals, pesticides and fertilizers; contami-nation of ground and surface waters;extensive use of water for golf courseirrigation; loss of wildlife and wildlife

P A R K S R E C R E A T I O N M A Y 2 0 0 7 35

Golf organizations are offering resources for conservation of green space in order to

have a positive impact on the natural environment.

habitats; and loss of natural vegetation.With an emphasis on maintaining pris-tine playing conditions, golf courseswere seen as a threat to the preservationand quality of the environment.

Today, the United States alone hoastsmore than 16,000 golf courses serving apopulation of about 26 million golfers.Both numbers continue to increase asgolf courses continue being built andcooperative efforts by the golf industryare being made that are increasing thegolfing population.

However, even as growth continuesand new concerns arise, a shift in think-ing is occurring as well. As conservationawareness and global efforts becomemore prevalent, golf courses are begin-ning to be recognized as settings forthe protection and enhancement ofwildlife and the natural environment.Organizations such as NRPA, the PGAof America, the Golf Course Superin-tendents Association of America

(GCSAA), and the United States GolfAssociation (USGA) are offeringresources and education programs fortheir members and the public to pro-mote the conservation of green spaces.

According to an initiative byAudubon International called "Golf &The Environment," nearly 80 percentof all golf courses in the United Statesare located in urban or suburban areas.As a result, opportunities abound forgolf courses to have a positive impacton ecosystems that include storm waterretention, runoff filtration, wildlifehabitats and wildlife corridors.

The GCSAA's Environmental Insti-tute for Golf offers golf course informa-tion gathered from research and sharedbest practices. The Institute's areas offocus are water management, integratedplant management, wildlife manage-ment, golf course sites, design and con-struction, and energy and waste man-agement. Visitors of the Web site (see

the sidebar on page 38) are not onlyencouraged to view the best practicesshared in each category, but to con-tribute to the growing list of best prac-tices as well.

Satterwhite is passionate about hisinvolvement with Audubon Interna-tional and GCSAA. He is always lookingto make the golf courses in his cityenvironmentally friendly by determin-ing best practices through trial anderror.

Water conservation is one area thathe and his team constantly monitor."We have a computerized irrigation sys-tem and a weather station, and we canprogram it to water off of the ET [evap-otranspiration, the cycle for whichwater evaporates fVom soil]. We tried 50percent, but that was a little low. Cur-rently we are watering at about 75 per-cent of the evapotranspiration rate.That cuts down probably about 100,000gallons of water used in a cycle. Sowe've been able to save a tremendousamount of water. In areas that mightneed a bit more water, we do a lot ofhand watering. We just put it downwhere it needs to go."

Todd Schmitz is no stranger to theimportance of environmental consider-ations on the golf course. As the golfcourse superintendent for the city ofAurora, 111., he comes from a family ofgolf course superintendents.

3 6 P A R K S ^ R E C R E A T I O N M A Y 2 0 0 7

"We just always keep the environ-ment in mind. Around the ponds, we'lllet the grass grow taller and create somebuffer ureas that will keep fertilizers andchemicals from washing into the water.And when we are applying fertilizer inthose areas, we'll spread the fertilizerby hand instead of using a broadcastspreader or sprayer."

Like Satterwhite, he also speakshighly of Audulion International andencourages anyone seeking to learn howto make their golf course more environ-mentally friendly to get in touch withthe organization. "My goal is to tackletwo categories a year, so that by the endof three years, we'll be a CertifiedAudubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Bygetting involved with them now, we'llbe able to see areas that we can improveon and learn new things that we mightbe missing," he explains.

The timing couldn't be better forSchmitz. A new mayor has come toofHcc in the City of Aurora who is pro-

moting an initiative called "A GreenCity is a Clean City." Schmitz figuresnot only will the mayor's initiative lendsupport to his efforts, but encourageand motivate him to push forward withthe certification as well.

One of the challenges that bothSchmitz and Satterwhite have seen isthe misconception that being environ-mentally conscious means spendingmore money. Fortunately for both ofthem, they have n great suppt)rt team ofleaders buying into what they are tryingto accomplish. Satterwhite's advice forthose struggling with the decision ofbeing more environmentally consciousis to see the big picture and potentialincremental savings.

For example, by keeping diligent dataon his golf courses, he is able to deter-mine how much irrigation is needed. Asa result, instead of just blanketing thegolf course with water, he is aware ofthe places that need water and thosethat don't. Not only does this save on

water consumption and on water bills,but it also saves on electricity costs tooperate the pumps and reduces thewear and tear on equipment.

In addition to savings, being environ-mentally friendly may provide someunique marketing opportunities. "Weare not harming the environment, weare doing positive things," says Satter-white. "We are attracting the non-golfers to our facilities. We have bird-watchers coming out. Or people thatwant to have a look at our wildflowerareas. They're not golfers, they're justcoming out because of the facility. Butmaybe that's the next step—you intro-duce them to golf."

According to "Golf & The Environ-ment," the additional benefits of im-proved environmental performance arenumerous. Good environmental per-formance can help differentiate yourgolfcour.se from others in a crowdedmarket, and add value by improvingpublic relations and marketing oppor-

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tunities that attract new golfers or clubmembers. The nature of your coursecan enrich golfers' experience of thegame. Surveys have shown that golfersreport that playing quality is main-tained or even improved as a result ofsteps taken to manage a course in har-mony with the natural environment.

An effective golf course environmen-tal management program can resuit inreduced insurance premiums, as well asreduced costs for energy, water, pesti-cides or fertilizers. Best practices forchemical management reduce exposureand liability risks from storing, han-dling and applying chemicals. Also,

Golf courses are cutting down on water consumption and are becoming more conscious

of fertilizer use, all the while improving conditions for native species.

To find out more on how your golf course can become more environmentally

friendly, visit these Web sites for resources, education opportunities and best

practices:

• The Environmental Institute for Golf—The EIFG offers resources and best prac-

tices lists that can be used immediately. You'll want to visit this site often as the hest

practice list continues to evolve, www.eifg.org.

• Golf and the Environment—This site is an offshoot from Audubon International. It

provides information for golf course owners, operators and superintendents, as well as

offers resources and ideas for raising the environmental consciousness of golfers.

www.golfandenvironmeFit.org.

• Audubon International—Having achieved its 20th anniversary this year, Audubon

International is a not-for-profit 501 (c){3) organization that has years of experience on

the subject of environmental compatibility. Audubon International has state stewards

throughout the United States that can offer counseling and consulting advice for those

interested in making their golf course more environmentally friendly www.audubon

international.org.

• The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America—GCSAA offers a

wealth of resources to member superintendents and a few resources for non-members,

as well, www.gcsaa.org.

• The United States Golf Association—USGA is not just about rules and handicaps.

It offers resources in many golf-related areas. For environment-specific areas, visit the

Wild Links Program within the turf management section. There is a 24-page download-

able booklet that contains some useful information, www.usga.org.

sound environmental management cutsdown on waste and promotes efficientoperations.

Perhaps there is one more reason toget involved. Besides the mentionedbenefits, implementing wildlife andnatural conservation practices preservethe tradition of the game of golf withits uniqueness of being played in natu-ral elements, in a natural environmentthat offers natural obstacles and en-hanced challenges.

Scholl Canyon Golf & Tennis Club inClendale, Calif., is owned by the cityand managed by American Golf Corpo-ration. The unique history behindSchol! Canyon is that it is built on alandfill. This 18-hole, par-60 executivegolf course not only provides enjoy-ment for all levels of golfers, hut syner-gizes with the environment, which oncewas not very positive.

Now Scholl Canyon teems withwildlife like deer, mountain lions, rab-bits, snakes and a variety of birds.Scholl Canyon is also sensitive to thevegetation by using a seed mix contain-ing plants native to the area known asThe Glendale Mix. It is used through-out the facility, which not only helps tomaintain its natural environment, buthelps control land erosion as well. Inaddition, recycled water is used to irri-gate the golf course.

Another unique feature about SchollCanyon is that the landfill producesmethane gases from the decayingdebris. The methane is captured by asophisticated piping system that is notonly whisked away from the area pre-venting any potential fire hazards, butcontributes to some of the city's energydemands, therefore helping the entirecommunity. Scholl Canyon is a greattestimony to the cost-effective benefitsof being environmentally conscious.

Schmitz summarizes his thoughts,"We are all stewards of our environ-ment. Every day my office is out therein the environment. We need to doeverything we can to be conscious ofwhat we are doing by being good stew-ards to our environment and to ourcommunity."

3 8 P A R K S ^ R E C R E A T I O N M A Y 2 0 0 7