Editors' Blog Blogger Bio

Environmentally Friendly Golf

Like many golfers, one of the things I like most about the game is that it gets me out into nature.

Many courses open in New England this week and I can hardly wait to shut off my computer and venture into the awakening spring landscape of Connecticut.

However, lush, chemically treated courses... ultra-manicured, and lined with exotic ornamental plantings... are often maligned for the negative effect they have on the environment. And because I love nature it always upsets me to hear stories of species being displaced or water supplies being threatened.

So, as you can imagine, I was very pleased to hear about the efforts underway to make golf courses more environmentally friendly. Audubon International's Cooperative Sanctuary Program is an inspiring example of such an effort. It's an award winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. Golf courses as protected sanctuaries as opposed to golf courses as environmentally destructive playgrounds. I really like that view and it seems to be catching on; Marriott hotels has recently committed to getting 34 of its courses certified by the end of the year, and there's now an Audubon Golf trail in Louisiana with 13 world class courses, all members of AICS.

On my recent trip to SW FL I was amazed by the the natural abundance and diversity of species... despite explosive development. The courses I played all seemed to be managed with nature in mind. Ibis frolicked and foraged all over Naples Beach Golf course (pictured above) and Greg Norman's reputation as a proponent for golf's positive relationship with the environment was reflected in the native vegetation abundant protected areas at his beautiful Tiburon course (pictured below). Then there was the close encounter we had with a massive gator at Burnt Store in Punta Gorda. After chuckling at the signs that said "Please Don't Molest the Alligators" we were approached by a Marshall midway through our round and told that there was, "a large black gator" lounging next to the following tee. "Just be sure 'n show him some respect and you'll be fine" was the advice he offered. For the most part golf people in FL seemed to respect and treasure nature.

I'll have more on my FL trip later this week...as well as some tales of springtime golf in CT, so be sure to stop by.

http://www.thegolfgirl.blogspot.com