THE GARDEN
CLUB OF AMERICA
THE
NEW AMERICAN GOLF COURSE
Golf
is unlike sports that use a standardized playing field.
Golf uses the landscape and the
environment. Golf courses are opening
at a rate of 1 per day for a current total
of more than 16,000. Most courses
average 165 acres and approximately 50% of new golf courses have real
estate
development surrounding the course.
Since 1913, The Garden Club
of America has worked to improve the quality of the environment. This brochure is intended to increase
awareness of the benefits of an environmentally managed golf course. This stewardship will result in:
|
·
Providing
habitat for wildlife; ·
Providing
greenspace benefits; ·
Managing
natural resources more efficiently, especially water; ·
Impacting
surrounding land by encouraging conservation efforts; ·
Providing
conditions with reduced risk of cancers and endocrine disruption for players and
grounds crew. |
|
Benefits
One of our goals is to encourage
developers to work with regulations to understand the benefits of
designing
environmentally sound golf courses.
Golf courses with this approach are in the best interests of the
grounds
crew because of their exposure to pesticides. Another benefit is
environmentally friendly greenspace for humans and wildlife.
Our second goal is to
encourage managers of established courses to become environmental
stewards.
Older courses can work with the American Society of Golf Course
Architects, the
U.S.G.A. Turfgrass Advisory Service, Soil Consultants, and other
experts to
create and implement environmental management practices. The Southwest
course
is a good example of an environmentally managed older course.
Education of the golfer
about environmental practices will encourage similar turf care at home.
Golfers
will respect the designated environmentally sensitive areas, accept
turf grass
imperfections and longer length, and understand that a few weeds are
the
exchange for a healthy environment.
The following information can be used at any
course and should be
encouraged by the golfers and golf committees.
Soil Sustainability
The microbiology of the soil
is critical for an environmentally friendly golf course. Soil chemistry
and physical
properties are also very important, but these will usually occur if
golf course
superintendents focus their primary efforts on practices to build a
strong,
broad-based population of microorganisms that will maintain a healthy
balance
in the plant root zone. A series of
chemical, physical, and microbiological analyses should be done to the
soil on
a regular basis. Any required remedial
programs to balance the soil under the local conditions should be done
using
small modifications rather than making radical changes through the use
of
chemicals. A well-balanced soil will
create an environment for the growth of a healthy, stress-resistant
turfgrass
carpet and a reduction in insect populations, diseases, and weeds.
Another
benefit is the lack of disease and insect problems manifesting
themselves
overnight. Soil consultants and companies offering environmentally
friendly
products are listed on the back of this brochure.
Turfgrass
A healthy
turfgrass plant is its own best pesticide. Turfgrasses should be
adapted to
local conditions and should support aerification, reduced
fertilization, and
reduced watering. Grasses are being
bred for pest and drought resistance.
Limiting play and cart usage in sensitive turf areas also
reduces
fertilizer and water needs.
Land Use
It is important that new
golf courses choose areas that are not wetlands, prime and unique
farmland,
endangered species habitat, or aquatic habitat that is environmentally
sensitive. Degraded sites such as
Superfund sites (Old Works Course) or gravel pits (Widow’s Walk Golf
Course)
can be reclaimed for golf course use.
Golf courses can highlight
regional topography and retain the natural ecosystems in their design.
Natural
areas can be designed to feature indigenous vegetation that protects
existing
wildlife habitat.
Natives
Golf courses have land
called out-of-play areas, which can serve as important refuges for
native
plants and pollinators. This interaction is essential to native
habitats or
ecosystems. There has been a drastic
decline
in the numbers of wild insect pollinators, which are necessary for the
seed
production of 2/3 of the world’s flowering plant species. Native plants
are
part of our heritage and control erosion, survive severe weather, and
provide
habitat to native birds, animals, and insects, all of which are part of
the
biodiversity necessary to keep ecosystems intact.
Native plants have been used
at the golf courses featured in this brochure because of their many
benefits,
including lower maintenance costs and elimination of pesticides. Native
grasses
planted at the edge of ponds and streams can
provide bird habitat, reduce run-off from fertilizers, and even
discourage non-migrating Canada geese. However, tall grasses can slow
down play
due to lost balls. Invasive plants should NOT be used, for example: Lythrum salicaria, Purple Loosestrife,
is known for its rampant destruction of native water habitat.
Water Usage
Efficient irrigation systems
using weather satellites and sprinklerhead sensors are employed to
reduce water
usage. A good organic and microbial program is one of the most
significant ways
to reduce water usage. Such a program will also buffer soil moisture
and allow
excess water (from heavy rains) to move through the soil profile. Other
methods
include: grouping plants with similar water needs; using natives; using
effluent water; and timing the watering to minimize evaporation, which
also
reduces the potential for disease.
Reducing grassy areas by enlarging bunkers, water hazards, and
native
plantings also lowers water usage.
Storm drain retention systems are used for irrigation.
Slow-release
soluble fertilizers are used in the watering systems.
These are some of the environmental methods employed by the
courses featured in this brochure.
Reducing Waste
A composting
area should be established for grass clippings not left on the
fairways, tees,
and greens. These clippings can be left
to decompose naturally. Chemicals and
other products should be purchased in recyclable containers. After
chemical use,
equipment should be rinsed by recycling rinsate. Care
should be taken to spray or rinse in areas that will not
result in point or non-point pollution.
All waste should be recycled or disposed of properly.
Pesticides
There is a
growing concern about the dangers of chemicals and pesticides. Learn what is being applied to your golf
course and its effects on you and wildlife.
Encourage your superintendent and golf committees to reduce or
eliminate
harmful chemical and pesticide usage.
Golfers
Golfers should
cooperate in the management of environmentally sensitive golf courses. They should educate themselves about the
many benefits for themselves and wildlife that occur from reducing
pesticides.
Golfers should fix ball marks, replace divots or fill with soil/sand
mixes, use
cart paths, and be more tolerant of weeds and higher rough or turf
levels. Golfers should be encouraged to
walk,
because the wear and tear of carts causes increased maintenance efforts
and pesticide
use.
Golf Courses
The following golf courses
are examples of environmentally managed properties across the country. They have different problems, solutions,
methods and topography. It is hoped
that golfers and grounds crew can benefit from this diverse information
in the pursuit
of more user-friendly golf courses.
Northeast---Widow’s
Walk, Scituate, MA 781.544.7777.
Winner of
Golf Digest’s 1997 Environmental Leaders in Golf Award, designed by
Michael
Hurdzan on 121 acres; 47 are wetlands, 74 turf on a former gravel pit.
The
beautiful views and windy conditions make its narrow fairways (which
conserve
water) hard to hit. The posted
environmentally sensitive areas catch a lot of balls, but protect the
native
heather and bayberry, invite migrating birds. The course is a test bed
for
environmentally sound course construction. The heat tolerant G-1
colonial bent
grass and chewing fescue use less fertilizer, less water, and allow the
fast
greens to be cut at 1/8 inch. This
course boasts recycled asphalt in the cart paths and old carpet to
stabilize
the sides of pot bunkers. A biological
microbe injection system is used against fungal disease.
They are testing different types of subsoil
under the greens to find the environmental winner. The course guide
points out
the wildlife, natural beauty, and tips for the golfer.
Southeast---Old
Tabby Links, Spring Island, SC 843.987.2013
Designed by Arnold Palmer.
Opened in 1992, this course was designed to adhere to
environmental
regulations. The weather system aids
the reduction of water usage. Mostly
biological controls are used on the golf course. Spot
treatments for molecrickets, army worms, sod webworms, and
biological nematicides are used on greens that are maintained between
1/8 and
3/16 inch. The greens are Tifdwarf
Bermuda grass overseeded with bent grass.
They are aerated twice during the summer, after a heavy
fertilizer one
week before, and topdressed afterwards. A plethora of aquatic plantings
surround the lake banks to help filter pollutants in the waterways
which all
connect back to the irrigation pond. No
close mowing is done near waterways. 419 Bermuda grass is used on the
fairways,
roughs, and tees and overseeded with ryegrass in September. Cart paths are crushed shell.
Beautiful views and wildlife abound, benefiting
from the efforts to be environmentally friendly.
Florida---Celebration
Golf Club, Orlando, FL 407.566.4653
This course, built by Disney, is 95 acres,
including a cypress swamp
and environmentally sensitive areas, with 67 acres irrigated and under
high
maintenance. Bermuda grass is predominant until it goes dormant in
November,
when the course is overseeded with winter rye. Bahia and cord grasses
need
little fertilizer or irrigation and are used next to cart paths and
around
ponds. Fertilizer is needed year-round in Florida and the majority are
slow
release. The 47 acres of fairway are pitched to drain into the middle
and act
as turf filter for the effluent irrigation that goes into the ponds.
800,000
gals/night might be used when the weather is dry. The effluent (from a
sewage
treatment plant) contains salt, so gypsum is applied monthly to combat
the
salt-effect. The driving range is an aqua range, because of space
constraints.
The floating golf balls go 10 yards less, but the pond holds a
one-month supply
of effluent as a reservoir. Insect problems come and go in Florida and
the
worst ones require pesticides. Many of the grasses used are not
susceptible to
turf disease. Some grasses have a fungus called an endophyte, which
prevents
damage from leaf chewing insects. This
however, is not present in Bermuda grass. The environmentally sensitive
areas
are home to snakes, wild turkeys, hawks, osprey, kite, fox, deer, and
otters.
Midwest---Blackwolf Run, Kohler, WI 800.618.5535 or ; four 18 hole courses Pete Dye designed these courses to blend with Kohler’s existing nature preserve. There are 25 acres of fairways per course with natural areas encompassing each hole. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) avoids reliance on any one control measure. The need to control weeds is minimized, because fertility and irrigation are carefully managed to ensure a healthy, thick turf that chokes out weeds. In native areas, Sweet Clover and Thistle species are hand chopped. To combat fungal disease, a long chain is dragged down the fairway to remove the dew, which is the preferred environment for fungal disease development. Weather data is collected 24 hours a day and is compared to a computer model to forecast disease outbreaks. The naturalist on staff keeps track of the badgers, fox, birds and particularly the frogs. Frogs are an indicator species in terms of water toxicity. The golf courses are integrated into the land with native grasses and forbs, not ornamental beds. The habitat created is ideal for the wildlife and makes the golf course nearly maintenance-free.
West---Old
Works, Anaconda, MT 888.229.4833 or 406.563.5989
Designed
by Jack Nicklaus, Old Works
received a regional environmental stewardship award. This course was
built on
an Arco superfund site designed to be a barrier between people and
the
tailings from the mine. The area was
contoured and capped with limestone and clay, which protects the ground
water
by preventing any more percolation. There are 300 acres, of which only
100 are
watered. The arid conditions can require up to 950,000 gals/day. A
complex watering
system with sensors for rainfall, sun intensity, humidity, wind, and
temperature calculates the evaporation, transpiration, and plant usage
during
the day and tries to replace the exact water needed. The lower amount
of water
keeps the soil biology correct and prevents anaerobic conditions. There
is
constant human monitoring and hand pulling of weeds or spot treatment
is used,
but no broadcasting is done. Fertilizer and irrigation are not allowed
to enter
the trout stream running through the course. 95% fescue and 5% colonial
bentgrass combine to make a phenomenal playing surface, and mowers
carry a 1
quart spray bottle with them, stopping to spray weeds one at a time.
Fungicides
are used only when needed through the close monitoring program. The greens are bentgrass and, while some
diseases are tolerable, others require a change in the turfgrass height
or
possibly a light foliar fertilizer, as long as it won’t encourage
pathogen
growth. In areas that are not maintained, native grasses are used to
simulate a
high mountain prairie. The rodent population exploded with these
grasses and,
as a result, the fox, mountain lion, bear, deer, and elk moved in to
balance
it.
Northwest---Bandon
Dunes, Bandon, OR 541.347.4380 or
Designed by David McLay Kidd, open year round
with average temperatures
in the 60’s and 2 miles of oceanfront, this course has spectacular
views competing
with the golfer’s attention to shooting par. Efforts were made to
maintain
existing topography. The course is 260 acres with 75 acres maintained.
The
indigenous beach grasses contribute to the natural surrounding of this
links
course. The water usage will be a closed loop with effluent from
development.
Up to 500,000 gals/day are used. The weather station uses software that
controls the irrigation after measuring transpiration, evaporation, and
timing
to avoid wind drift.
The huge greens, cut to 3/16 inch, are a
blend of fescues and colonial
bent which measure 8 ½ -9 on a stimp meter. The roughs are the
same blend of
fescues with the intermediate roughs being 15-30 feet wide and cut to
1½
inches. The deep roughs are unwatered and straw-colored like Scottish
links
rough. Since the course is built on sand, a light feeding of a slow
release
organic fertilizer is used to lessen the potential of leaching. Carts
and their
paths are considered a disruption and distraction and neither are used.
This is
a walking-only course with caddies available and will give golfers a
Scottish
experience closer to home.
California---Ocean
Trails, Palos Verdes, CA 310.265.5522
Architects Pete & Perry Dye designed an
18 hole course in a
residential development covering 300 acres on the ocean. The course has
only 62
acres of fairway turf, with another 20 acres of semi-arid turf, local
fescue,
which uses less water and fertilizer, while giving the golfer a
Scottish links
look and feel. A weather station and computer system is used for
monitoring
evaporation transfer (ET) readings, plant watering requirements, and
wind
patterns resulting in a minimal amount of water usage while maintaining
healthy
weed-free turf. The closed drainage
system recycles up to 15% of nuisance surface water after it cycles
through
almost 1 acre of aquatic plants, where any remaining nutrients have
been
absorbed. The aquatic plants and newly planted coastal sage create
habitat for
many species, including the endangered gnatcatcher. New fertigation
techniques,
spoon feeding of pesticides, and spot spraying will be used to maintain
high
quality Bermuda and bent grass on the greens. In addition, GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) tracking and
monthly recording of diseased areas will substantially further reduce
pesticide
use. This course is designed to be environmentally sound and enhances
the
ecosystem of the surrounding habitat and development for both golfer
and
nature.
Southwest----Paradise
Valley CC, Paradise Valley, AZ 602.840.8100
Built in
1953, there are 122 acres, all maintained. The biggest issue is water,
because
golf courses have a regulated allotment. During the summer, 1 million
gals/day
might be used. A weather station measures evapotranspiration and a
computer
regulates the runtime per station, which can manipulate the soak time
for
efficiency. Ecoagriculture is practiced, using microbes and maintaining
the
soil biology they thrive in. This well-balanced soil contains 3-5%
organic
matter in the top 6 inches of soil.
Fertigation is used along with granular and composted poultry
manure. Integrated Pest Management
(IPM) works well and ensures minimal pesticide usage. The numerous
clippings,
that can’t be left on the course when overseeding is done, are sold as
food to
a cattle business. This is an example of an older course that continues
to
reduce pesticide use by understanding the importance of soil
sustainability and
using sound environmental practices.
Definitions
Out-of-play Areas: areas where the typical golfer will not hit
balls; designed to avoid
slow play by golfers searching for balls.
These areas should not include long grasses that need cutting or
pesticides for normal maintenance. They can include aquatic ponds with
islands
planted with natives, or wooded areas planted with native shrubs and
trees that
won’t need maintenance when mature.
Prime Farmland: soil and other
characteristics that enable the farmland to produce the highest crop
yields at
the lowest production costs and fewest environmental impacts.
Native Plant:: a plant which has evolved
naturally in a particular ecological region.
A plant species is considered native to North America if it
evolved on
this continent.
Ecosystem: a complex
community of living and non-living things which
function together as an ecological unit in nature.
Habitat: the natural
environment of a particular living plant or animal,
or a place distinguished by the set of organisms which occupy it.
Sources
‘An Environmental Approach
to Golf Course Development’ by William R. Love, Chairman, Environmental
Committee, American Society of Golf Course Architects, 10/92, Being updated, available after 1/99 for $12,
312.372.7090
Audubon International, 518.767.9051
‘Golf and the Environment;
Environmental Principles for Golf Courses in the U.S’, available from
The
Center for Resource Management, Suite 210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106,
801.466.3600
PlantStar, fertigation equipment, 800.277.7827
or
‘Restoring Pollinator
Habitat,’ Xerces Society, 503.232.6639
USGA Turfgrass Advisory Service, 908.234.2300
(Green Section)
Xeriscape, a plant guide by
St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida, 800.451.7106
Soil Consultants
Brookside Laboratories,
419.753.2448 or
Soil First Consulting,
800.732.turf or
Wilbur Turf & Soil
Services, 916.630.7600 or or
Organic and Microbial
Products
Earthworks Natural Organic
Products, 800.732.turf
Humate International Inc.,
800.3WE.GROW
February 1999
Reprint Permission
Granted
For
copies of this brochure please print from this Web site