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.
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
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
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