Sustainable Golf Courses: A Guide to Environmental Stewardship

From the Foreword

"This book is an important guide for all who love and play the game. The integrity of the game is exemplified by golf industry professionals who share in the responsibility to protect our ecosystems while preserving one of golf′s most appealing aspects . . . the natural environment."
Arnold Palmer

Sustainable Golf Courses is the most authoritative guidebook on environmental management of planned and existing golf courses. Featuring a practical integration of scientifically based siting, design, and management practices founded on accepted principles of sustainability, this convenient resource helps readers meet the economic, ecological, and social expectations facing the game of golf and the entire golf course industry.

Written by the founder of Audubon International, whose collaborative effort with the United States Golf Association (USGA) formed the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, Sustainable Golf Courses is packed with useful information that can be applied on a case–by–case basis to any set of environmental issues on any golf course. It demonstrates how through skilled planning, development, and construction a golf course can provide many attributes of a nature reserve and generate sufficient money to manage the playing areas and the natural areas included in the golf course budget.

Complete with detailed case studies and environmental research from the USGA, Sustainable Golf Courses is a valuable tool for maximizing open–space opportunities on golf courses.

Foreword.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

CHAPTER 1: Sustainable Golf and the Environment.

Sustainable Golf Courses An Oxymoron?

The History of Golf.

The Case for Sustainability.

There Is No One Size Fits All .

Sound Economics Based on Ecological Facts.

CHAPTER 2: Establishing an Environmental Philosophy.

Building a Sustainable Foundation.

Principles for Sustainable Resource Management.

CHAPTER 3: Ecological Principles.

Introduction.

Environmental Planning Principles and Guidelines.

CHAPTER 4: Choosing Sites for New Golf Courses.

Introduction.

Watershed Context.

Site Analysis.

Site Inventory.

Site Classification System.

CHAPTER 5: Planning and Designing New Golf Courses.

Design Concepts.

Environmental Design Guidelines.

Best Management Practices for Drainage.

Planning and Design Guidelines.

CHAPTER 6: Sustainable Building Design.

Energy Use in the United States.

Energy Resources.

Approaches to Creating Sustainable Buildings.

Establishing Design Goals.

Guidelines for Green Buildings.

CHAPTER 7: Constructing New Golf Courses.

Construction Management.

Conservation Management Zones.

CHAPTER 8: Wildlife Habitat.

Introduction.

Key Wildlife Concepts.

Wildlife Design Basics.

Wildlife Management Planning.

CHAPTER 9: Water Quality and Conservation.

Introduction.

Watersheds.

Best Management Practices.

Water Management and Monitoring.

CHAPTER 10: Outreach and Education.

Identifying Support.

Education.

Choosing Outreach Projects.

Environmental Code of Ethics for Golfers.

CHAPTER 11: Managing Golf Courses Through the Environmental Management Plan.

Summary of Environmental Topics.

General Overview.

Components of the Environmental Management Plan.

Afterword.

APPENDIX A: Golf and the Environment Research.

The United States Golf Association Turfgrass and Environmental Research Program Overview.

APPENDIX B: The Old Collier Golf Club: Facility Case Study.

I. Overview.

II. Water Quality Management.

III. Water Conservation.

IV. Wildlife Conservation and Habitat Enhancement.

V. Integrated Pest Management.

VI. Resource Management Center (Maintenance Facility).

VII. Energy Efficiency.

VIII. Waste Management.

IX. Information and Outreach.

X. Contact Person.

References.

Index.

RONALD G. DODSON is founder and President of Audubon International and Chairman of the Board of the Audubon Society of New York State, Inc. He is a member of the USGA′s Wildlife Links Research Committee and a member of the USGA′s Environmental and Turfgrass Research Committee. He is also the recipient of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association′s 2004 Environmental Communicator of the Year Award. He has written articles for such publications as the Green Section Record, Golf Course Management, and Golf Course News.