Conference to examine golf course environmental stewardship
It will be a reunion of sorts when attendees gather in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 19-20, 2007 for the Environmental Principles of Golf Conference.
The golf industry has been progressive in its focus on environmental stewardship, but the inclusion of the environmental community in the effort 10 years ago was a watershed moment for the movement. That 1995 meeting at Pebble Beach Resort, facilitated by the Center for Resource Management, resulted in the Golf & the Environment Initiative.
During the past decade, participants have shared information, developed understanding, and demonstrated policies and practices on the subject of golf courses and their relationship with the environment. Perhaps the most significant outcome was the creation in 1996 of the Environmental Principles for Golf Courses in the United States – a set of guidelines for the design, construction and management of golf courses. The meeting in Anaheim will provide the opportunity to review the progress the industry has made over the past 10 years and chart a course for the future.
"Anytime you bring groups together with little or no previous history of interaction, you are going to have challenges," Center for Resource Management Executive Vice President, Paul Parker said. "But I was pleased by the attitude and work that has been produced since that first meeting in 1995. We are still facing challenges, but I am encouraged that golf courses continue to be environmental, economic and recreational assets to the community. We hope the examination of past accomplishments will provide new insights and focus for continued stakeholder collaboration and higher levels of environmental stewardship."
The Environmental Principles of Golf Conference will be held in conjunction with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) Education Conference and the Golf Industry Show. More than 25,000 professionals representing all aspects of the golf industry, including superintendents, owners, chief executive officers/general managers, builders, architects, developers, golf professionals, etc., will be in attendance.
"We are pleased to offer our support and venue for the Environmental Principles of Golf Conference," GCSAA CEO Steve Mona said. "Through our philanthropic arm – The Environmental Institute for Golf – we are committed to ensuring golf’s compatibility with the environment. The presence of diverse groups, all with a common goal will provide the energy for another 10 years of progress."
The Center for Resource Management is a national non-profit organization that leads the Golf and the Environment Initiative and has over 20 years of experience in fostering and guiding environmental collaboration, consensus building, and policy development involving the business community, environmental groups, science and government. CRM acts as a catalyst and facilitator in bringing different and often conflicting interests together to define the common ground in environmental problem solving. For more information on the Center for Resource Management visit www.crm.org.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary, GCSAA is a leading golf organization, which has as its focus golf course management. Since 1926, GCSAA has been the top professional association for the men and women who manage golf courses in the United States and worldwide. From its headquarters in Lawrence, Kan., the association provides education, information and representation to more than 21,000 members in more than 72 countries. GCSAA’s mission is to serve its members, advance their profession and enhance the enjoyment, growth and vitality of the game of golf. The association’s philanthropic organization, the Environmental Institute for Golf, works to strengthen the compatibility of golf with the natural environment through research grants, support for education programs and outreach efforts. Visit GCSAA at www.gcsaa.org.
Contact:
Jeff Bollig
GCSAA Director of Communications
(800) 472-7878, ext. 4430
jbollig@gcsaa.org
