Seven TPCs honored with environmental awards

text size

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Underscoring the PGA TOUR's commitment to environmental excellence, seven TPCs have been awarded top honors in the annual Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA)/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards for 2008.

An independent panel of judges representing national environmental groups, turf grass experts, university researchers and members of the golf community conducted the award selection. Superintendents and their courses were judged on overall course management excellence in the areas of resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife/habitat management and education/outreach. Additionally, these categories were judged on sustainability, criticality, originality and technology implementation/use.

"We are very proud of Collier Miller [Director of TPC Agronomy] and his outstanding team of superintendents and agronomy professionals, who continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to preserve and protect the environment," said David Pillsbury, President of PGA TOUR Golf Course Properties.

Judges selected winners in three National categories (Public, Private and Resort) and an International winner, and also bestowed honors upon the top entry from each GCSAA affiliated Chapter. Merit honors were awarded to those who did not earn National or Chapter honors, but in the opinion of the judges, deserved special recognition.

Chapter honors/public division were awarded to Jeff Plotts at TPC Scottsdale. Chapter honors/private division were awarded to Roger Stewart, Jr. at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minn. Jim Thomas at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.; Paul Grogan at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.; Dale Hahn at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas, Nev.; and Todd Bunte at TPC Jasna Polana in Princeton, N.J.. Additionally, Dave Davies at TPC San Francisco Bay at Stonebrae earned a Merit Award in the private division.

Golf course superintendents and their courses that have been named National, Chapter or Merit winners will be formally recognized at the during the GCSAA Education Conference and Golf Industry Show in New Orleans on Thursday, February 7. In addition, program sponsors will make donations to the Environmental Institute for Golf, the philanthropic organization of the GCSAA, in the names of all National and Chapter winners.

"I am very proud of the work our talented team of maintenance and agronomy professionals do every day to conserve natural resources, preserve wildlife habitats, and help educate the public regarding the valuable role golf courses play in protecting the environment," Miller said. "At the same time, they do an outstanding job ensuring PGA TOUR players, members and guests enjoy the best possible playing conditions year-round."

Thirteen TPCs are certified as Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Systems by Audubon International. To date, PGA TOUR-owned or licensed TPCs have earned 90 GCSAA/Golf Digest Environmental Leaders in Golf Awards.