ORLANDO, FLORIDA – October 18, 2007â?¦ Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Grande Pines Golf Club, in Orlando, FL, has become Audubon Certified through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses (ACSP). The ACSP is a program that helps golf facilities protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide.
Featuring 18-holes of Championship golf designed by renowned architect Steve Smyers, in collaboration with player consultant Nick Faldo, Grande Pines Golf Club is one of two Marriott Golf operated courses that are Audubon Certified. Stone Mountain Golf Club, in Stone Mountain, GA, received this eco-friendly recognition in 2006.
As part of its environmental stewardship, Marriott Golf initiates extensive community education and outreach in the Orlando-area to promote its breadth of programs at Grande Pines. In fact, Grande Pines partnered with Boy Scouts of America Troop 996, and the Endeavor Elementary School, to develop a butterfly garden at the school, which serves as an outdoor classroom. As part of the program, the staff at Grande Pines supports the Endeavor Elementary School to educate students on the importance of preserving the environment and assisting with routine maintenance of the garden.
"We are thrilled to announce that another Marriott Golf managed course has become Audubon Certified," said Robert Waller, Senior Director of Golf Grounds. "Marriott Golf’s overall commitment to protecting and preserving the environment is at the forefront of the golf industry, and moving forward, our goal is to have all of our facilities reach this high level of environmental consciousness."
Waller adds, "What makes this program even more important, especially in the Orlando-area, is the community outreach that enables us to utilize our environmental programs to benefit kids, such as with the butterfly garden that we created at Endeavor Elementary School. Working with schools, Boy Scouts, and other organizations allows us to educate the community on the important role that golf courses can play in enhancing the environment."
In order to achieve Audubon Certification, a golf facility is required to demonstrate that it is maintaining the highest degree of environmental quality in several areas including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Thus, one of Grande Pines’ first projects was to implement a long range environmental plan encompassing all of these areas, which included improvements to the drainage system, irrigation upgrades, turf renovation, native area enhancements, and facility/clubhouse improvements. As part of the Chemical Use Reduction, the facility implemented an integrated pest management program, which limits the amount of preventative pesticides used on the greens. In addition, enhancements to native areas of the course were made on several holes.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 63 golf courses at 47 locations in 15 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of Championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world’s premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading lodging company with nearly 2,900 lodging properties in the United States and 67 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2006 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best places to work for by FORTUNE®. The company is also a 2006 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner. In fiscal year 2006, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $12.2 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
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Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com)
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