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Chris Young, Superintendent Gaylord Springs Golf Links
Published on Golf Course Trades
1. WHAT MOTIVATED GAYLORD SPRING GOLF LINKS TO JOIN THE AUDUBON INTERNATIONAL COOPERATIVE SANCTUARY PROGRAM (ACSP) FOR GOLF?
Personally, I believe it is everyone’s duty to do their part in protecting our environment. At Gaylord Springs Golf Links, we believe that our Audubon certification shows that we are doing just that. From the moment you drive into our golf course, you are greeted by a sign showing our certification, this provides awareness, so the golfer knows they are playing an environmentally conscious property. We feel that our golfing guests will appreciate our environmental efforts and we hope will continue to grow our positive reputation. Gaylord Springs is also a Marriott Golf property that encourages each course to obtain certification to further show our environmental commitment on a much larger stage.
2. WHAT DID IT TAKE TO ACHIEVE ACSP CERTIFICATION – HOW LONG WAS THE PROCESS AND WHAT STEPS WERE INVOLVED?
I must say it took dedication and determination to reach full certification. It also took about four years to reach the finish line but was well worth the effort. My best advice would be to not rush the process and try to complete a section or two per year.
There are six certification components that must be completed, and each has different time requirements. The six areas are environmental planning, wildlife and habitat, chemical use and reduction, water conservation, water quality management, and outreach and education. We assessed our current practices at the time and adjusted them to adhere to the six required components.
In many cases we were already following ACSP guidelines which let us know we were on the right track. We took our time and completed each section which resulted in quite a few positive changes to our practices and our course. As a result, our course has been transformed into a sanctuary for wildlife and golfers alike….