North American And Caribbean Mandate Program Achieves Early Success; Griffin Gate Latest Marriott Golf Managed Property Awarded Prestigious Certification
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – April 29, 2008… On the heels of instituting a mandate program whereby all managed golf properties throughout North America and the Caribbean become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries in 2008, Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Griffin Gate Golf Club, in Lexington, KY, has achieved certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses.
Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, which enable golf facilities to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats, are part of a systemwide commitment by Marriott International, Inc. (MAR:NYSE) to promote environmental stewardship.
Featuring 18-holes of Championship golf designed by renowned architect Rees Jones, Griffin Gate Golf Club becomes the 7th Marriott Golf operated facility to achieve Audubon Certification. 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.
As part of the property’s environmental stewardship efforts, Griffin Gate has implemented a variety of programs, highlighted by the creation of bat boxes, bluebird houses, and a butterfly garden throughout the property. With the assistance of a local Boy Scouts of America troop, bat boxes were built and placed throughout the property, providing a home for bats, which eat up to 600 insects per hour, and serve as a great pollinator for the property. Additionally, twenty-five bluebird houses were strategically positioned around the property to encourage bluebirds — which are becoming rare to the area — to reestablish their species in the region, while a butterfly habitat was also developed in a native flower garden, encouraging butterflies to nest in a comfortable environment.
Moreover, Griffin Gate worked in conjunction with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife to build wildlife corridors, ultimately offering wildlife the protection to move freely in specific areas on the property.
“We are excited to join a select group of Marriott Golf properties to achieve Audubon Certification,” said Scott Bender, Director of Grounds, Griffin Gate Golf Club, A Marriott Resort. “Griffin Gate is committed to promoting environmental stewardship, and the Audubon program has been instrumental in educating our team about the importance of environmental preservation, and its place within the golf industry.”
Bender Adds, “It was a rewarding experience to work with the local Boy Scouts troop, as their support was invaluable in establishing bluebird houses, bat boxes and the butterfly garden, each a pleasant addition to the property.”
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 61 golf courses at 45 locations in 13 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 about 3,000 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 Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE®, and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com.
Contact:
Michele Kruchkowski (mkruchkowski@mastrocomm.com) Stefanie Schiavello (stefanie@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
