Environmentally Friendly Golf Courses Take Root: Keeping it Green in Paradise

Environmental concerns over the use of land for golf courses peaked in the late 1980's as the toxic chemical diazinon, commonly used on courses and sod farms, was held responsible for the decimation of bird flocks. In 1988, the EPA prohibited the use of diazinon on golf courses and phased out residential use over time until instituting an outright prohibition of the substance effective December 31, 2004.

In addition to concerns about pesticides and fertilizers, there were other issues such as the consumption of scarce drinking water for irrigation and the loss of natural areas due to golf course construction

In the early 1990's the United States Golf Association (USGA) funded 90 environmental research projects at a cost of more than $11 million which culminated in a 951 page book on environmental issues related to golf course construction and ongoing management. Also in the 90's the USGA and Audubon International teamed up to establish the Audubon Cooperative Society Program for Golf Courses.

Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization, has developed a course certification program covering six different categories: 1) Environmental Planning, 2) Member/Public Involvement, 3) Wildlife and Habitat Management, 4) Integrated Pest Management, 5) Water Conservation, and 6) Water Quality Management. More than 500 courses in the United States have now been designated as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by fulfilling requirements in all six categories.

A new, innovatively designed, ecologically responsible world class course currently under construction in southern Oregon is the 7,418 yard, par-72 course called Paradise Ranch. Located in Grants Pass the course was co-designed by Jack Nicklaus and Jack Nicklaus II. Golfers can look forward to a "golden triangle" of PGA/Masters level play between Bandon Dunes on the coast, the high desert resort of Pronghorn near Bend and the natural beauty of the Siskiyou Mountains at Paradise Ranch in southern Oregon.

Daniel Charbonneau, project manager and partner of Paradise Ranch, views the responsibility of safeguarding the environment very seriously. Even though additional planning, funds and research are committed upfront, he views the ecological advantages as a very important facet of the project. Charbonneau has the goal of becoming certified in all six of Audubon's programs through the utilization of sustainable technologies upon opening for play in the summer of 2009. "Using natural methods of fertilization and pest removal is just one aspect and a big attraction for our resort residents. As an added bonus, it also costs us less money in the long run. It's a winning combination", beams Charbonneau.

The wetlands coordinator at the Ranch, Jason Hughitt, eyes light up as he discusses water use planning for the course. The Ranch will construct and own a state of the art wastewater treatment facility and will be able to reclaim 250,000 gallons a day from residential and local water usage for the benefit of the course. The quality of the water will be just below potable, far in excess of regulatory requirements. The balance of the water needed during the dry season will be provided by wells on the property. According to Hughitt, "the treatment facility will be able to handle not just the wastewater of the Ranch but also neighboring facilities such as schools, an industrial park and a highway rest stop. These places currently process water at a much lower quality level".

The United States is host to over 16,000 golf courses amounting to over 50% of all courses in the world. Encouraged by the groundbreaking research of the USGA and ongoing assistance of Audubon International, new courses such as Paradise Ranch are lighting the way towards an environmentally sustainable future for the golfing industry and the over 25 million Americans that enjoy the sport.