23rd Marriott Golf Property Becomes Audubon Certified As Part Of Company’s Recent Mandate Program
ORLANDO, Fla. – December 11, 2008…Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today announced that Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, in St. Petersburg, Fla., is the latest property to achieve certification through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. This marks the 23rd 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, the golf team at Renaissance Vinoy built several Osprey nests throughout the property, which provide a safe habitat for the bird species to live and reproduce. The back nine of the Vinoy Club course is known for its exquisite bird sanctuary, and is often visited by bird watching groups. Also as part of its environmental efforts, Renaissance Vinoy worked with a local school in St. Petersburg to plant flowers throughout the property.
The championship golf course at Renaissance Vinoy was designed by Ron Garl, who believes golf links should complement and flow with their natural surroundings. At Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, golfers will discover the superb execution of his passion in a beautifully manicured, immensely stimulating course – one that pleases the senses with its natural beauty while challenging the skills of the most accomplished golfer.
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
