Golf courses are often misunderstood, tagged as hazards to the environment.  Much effort is put into setting the record straight.  One way to differentiate higher standards is through specifically designed environmental programs.  Before GCSAA’s 50 by 2020 best management practices initiative, some state and local programs were already in place.  One such comprehensive program developed in conjunction with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is the Rhode Island Golf Course Green Certification, a collaboration with the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association (RIGCSA).

In 2010 the RIGCSA, led by then president John LeClair, CGCS, worked hard to develop the voluntary point-based program and have touted the benefits ever since.  With a score of 300 points need to achieve certification, and a further 350 points required to recertify, these totals are indeed lofty goals.  More than simply turf, this program looks to touch all aspects of the golf facility and you are rewarded with points for practices or changes that are positive for the environment.  As always, the benefits of environmental programs come from the resulting data, and I recently learned that the data does indeed impress!

GCSAA class AFC member Pat Hogan, government relations director for the RIGCSA, updated the group at a recent chapter meeting on RI DEM data.  Ann Battersby, Senior Environmental Scientist at the DEM, compiled information from seven golf courses recently recertifying through the Golf Course Green Certification program.  Here are some of the highlights:

          Pesticide reduction: 32 pounds

          Fertilizer reduction: 98,690 pounds

          Water reduction: 243.8 million gallons

Hogan’s employer, Sodco, is also a noted environmental business earning Sustainable Turf Farm Certification designation.  Sodco’s recertification numbers are stunning as well:

          Pesticide reduction: 61 gallons

          Fertilizer reduction: 103,455 pounds

          Water reduction: 129.2 million gallons

As of February 2018, 13 courses in Rhode Island are Golf Course Green Certified:

Point Judith CC

Agawam Hunt Club

Potowomut GC

Pawtucket CC

Weekapaug GC

Newport CC

Button Hole GC

Shelter Harbor GC

Goddard Memorial Park GC

Alpine CC

Rhode Island CC

Sakonnet GC

Wannamoisett CC