20th Marriott Golf Property Becomes Audubon Certified As Part Of Company’s Recent Mandate Program
ORLANDO, Fla. – December 1, 2008…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Hawk’s Landing Golf Club at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort, in Orlando, Fla., is the latest property to achieve certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. This marks the 20th Marriott Golf managed property to achieve Audubon Certification, as part of the Company’s recent mandate program, which ensures that 25 managed golf properties in North America and the Caribbean become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries by the end of 2008.
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. 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 efforts to become Audubon Certified, Hawk’s Landing created a butterfly garden overlooking the resort’s signature lagoon pool. The resort’s environmental committee worked together with the children of several associates to plant more than 20 varieties of butterfly plants, and also assisted in the release of more than 10 species of butterflies. In addition, Hawk’s Landing teamed up with the Maitland Center for Birds of Prey to visit the Rosemont Elementary School where they treated students to a presentation about how injured birds are rehabilitated to re-enter the wild.
Hawk’s Landing Golf Club’s 18-hole championship golf course was originally designed by Joe Lee and then resculptured by noted golf architect Robert Cupp Jr. in 1999, creating the perfect setting for challenging golf and a scenic blend of native Florida wildlife and tropical vegetation. Hawk’s Landing Golf Club spans over 220 acres of lush grounds at the premier Orlando World Center Marriott Resort.
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 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 more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 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
