GCSAA/Golf Digest announce 2010 Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards

The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay was honored for the second year in a row by Golf Digest and GCSAA as an Environmental Leader in Golf receiving a Chapter Award for our environmental efforts and accomplishments. The awards are based on a five part essay covering wildlife preservation, water quality management and conservation, proper chemical practices, and educational outreach to the public. It is, as always, our goal to educate the public and promote our environmental activites on the golf course and we are honored and proud to be associated with the other golf courses around the world who have been recognized this year by Golf Digest and GCSAA. 

"Golf Digest is proud once again to join with the GCSAA to honor these far-sighted superintendents who are doing the right thing regarding best environmental practices," said Roger Schiffman, managing editor of the magazine. "It is our hope — indeed, our intention — that these superintendents and the courses they manage continue to serve as role models for others to follow in the months and years ahead. I can think of no greater calling in our game than to be a leader in environmental stewardship."

The ELGA winners went above and beyond in their environmental stewardship. They feature management programs using efficient and accurate irrigation systems; extensive recycling programs; composting of grass clippings, leaves and other herbaceous debris; bird houses; energy-saving light; and stringent integrated pest management programs.

The Environmental Leaders in Golf Award recognizes golf course superintendents and their courses for overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach. In addition, these categories are judged on sustainability, criticality, originality and technology implementation/use. An independent panel of judges representing national environmental groups, turfgrass experts, university research and members of the golf community conducted the award selection.

The EIFG is a collaborative effort of the environmental and golf communities, dedicated to strengthening the compatibility of golf with the natural environment. The EIFG concentrates on delivering programs and services involving research, education and outreach that communicate the best management practices of environmental stewardship on the golf course. Backed by the organizations of Golf 20/20 and the World Golf Foundation, the EIFG is leading the golf course industry's commitment to continual improvement through its initiative Golf's Drive Toward Sustainability. For more on the EIFG, visit www.eifg.org.

For more information on the Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards visit:

2011 Golf Digest/GCSAA Environmental Leaders in Golf