Creating an Environmentally Friendly Golf Course

Eco-friendly golf course management is growing in importance. Golf course superintendents are being faced with new challenges regarding how to balance the requirements of golf with their responsibility to the environment. 

Moving towards sustainable golf courses represents a much-needed shift away from harmful practices. Practices that focus on achieving “lush green” courses at the detriment of the environment. These “lush” courses need additional upkeep that requires more fertilizer, pesticides, and watering.  

Superintendents who want to create an environmentally friendly golf course face a seemingly daunting task. They need to consider water use, pollution runoff, and the potential loss of threatened species as well as usability, staffing, and budget. 

Fortunately, Audubon International has developed the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses (ACSP) to address this need.  

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program 

The ACSP is an education and certification program that helps golf courses achieve beautiful spaces while protecting the environment. Courses that choose to join this program will be better equipped to cultivate the nature and wildlife located in and around their land. 

About the ACSP 

Beginning in 1991 as a collaborative effort between Audubon International and the United States Golf Association (USGA), the ACSP is a specialized program that offers environmental education and certification to help member golf courses protect the natural environment while preserving the long-standing heritage of the game of golf.

How it Works 

Upon joining the program, the ACSP will help you take stock of your particular course’s environmental resources and evaluate potential liabilities. Once this is done, the ACSP will assist you in developing an environmental plan that tackles the following five areas: 

1.    Environmental Planning 
2.    Wildlife and Habitat Management 
3.    Water Quality and Conservation 
4.    Managing Resources 
5.    Education and Outreach 

1. Environmental Planning 

During this stage of the process, superintendents are required to take note of any species living on the property.  

This includes species of grass, trees, birds, plants, animals, and anything else. Having more information will make the rest of the process easier. It’s important to take a good inventory of your land so the ACSP can help you best.  

Once inventory is taken the ACSP will assist you in making a plan on how to better manage your golf course’s natural environment. 

2. Wildlife and Habitat Management 

This is the first step of implementation after creating a plan. The great thing about the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification Program is that each course will have unique requirements to implement.  

Your course may have a lot of deer. One plan could include expanding natural corridors to accommodate wildlife. Another course might be asked to install bird boxes to make room for more bird species. 

3. Water Quality and Conservation  

A wonderful golf course is only as beautiful as its ugliest pond. The ACSP will help you create a plan to beautify and maintain healthy bodies of water.  

A common way water health is promoted is by leaving a buffer around ponds that do not receive fertilizer or chemicals. When these new ponds are added they leak chemicals into the pond that could be harmful for fish or visiting ducks. We want to make sure your course is a great place for golfers and wildlife. 

Just as important as keeping water clear of any chemicals is how much water you use.  

Maintaining beautiful, usable, and organic turf requires a lot of water, but new watering techniques have proven that they don’t require as much water as originally thought. New technology allows golf course staff to test moisture levels and make sure they aren’t using more water than is necessary. 

4. Resource Management 

There are a lot of chemicals used on golf courses. These can include propane, pest control, fungicides, fertilizers, and even motor oil.  

Golf courses will typically apply chemical fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides to the entire turf. This might help maintain beautiful-looking grass, but it’s one of the reasons golf courses have a bad reputation.  

The ACSP will help you find healthier alternatives to the problems created by fungus and pests. Organic fertilizer is a likely addition to any course wanting to achieve the ACSP certification. Nature Safe’s selection of turf and ornamental fertilizers are designed to be used in several unique applications. Find a rep near you and start using better fertilizer. 

5. Outreach and Education 

Once you get far into the process of creating an environmentally beneficial golf course, you’ll want to share your excitement.  

This area of the certification includes letting course members know about the changes being made, posting signs, and doing community outreach. 

Getting Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certified 

Once you’ve begun implementing the plan and you’ve met the criteria for environmental management, you’ll be eligible to be designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This is a prestigious recognition that will boost the reputation of your course as a leader in environmental management.  

Benefits of the ACSP Certification 

Improve the Environmental Performance of your Course  

Reducing wasteful and harmful practices shouldn’t be understated. It’s the main reason this program exists, but other benefits that naturally follow the program.  

Improved Soil Conditions 

When changing to organic fertilizers and putting in the effort to improve environmental management, golf courses will likely see improved soil health conditions. This improvement has been widely reported by members of ACSP. 

Reduced Maintenance Costs 

Adopting a more eco-friendly approach to course management can reduce maintenance costs along with boosting natural habitats for birds and other animals. It can also reduce liability in terms of regulatory compliance (e.g., leaching, runoff, etc.). 

Improved Aesthetic Appeal 

Many member golf courses have reported that the change in approach to environmental management has improved the aesthetic appeal of their golf courses. Instead of maintaining a “short and green” look throughout the property, making environmentally friendly changes can add extra dimension and visually pleasing contrasts to the course. 

Join the Effort 

More than 2,600 golf courses have signed up to be a part of the ACSP. These members have experienced the many benefits of adopting a more “green” approach to golf course management.  

If you haven’t done so already, join the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and begin implementing their highly effective recommendations. By doing so, you will not only do your part to protect the environment, but you will also help preserve the integrity of the game of golf for future generations.