St. Joe Property Recognized for Environmental Excellence
(DELAND, Fla.) – Victoria Hills Golf Club – the award-winning, Ron Garl designed course owned by The St. Joe Company and managed by Billy Casper Golf – has been designated a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by Audubon International for environmental stewardship.
In attaining certification from the conservation group, Victoria Hills’ 18-hole layout successfully maintains sound environmental practices in six key areas: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction, water conservation, and water quality management.
The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses helps protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. It emphasizes maximizing efficiency and minimizing the potentially harmful effects golf operations can have. Victoria Hills is one of fewer than 700 courses worldwide honored by Audubon International.
“Environmental conservation and education are key components to golf course operations here,” says Juan Perez, head superintendent at Victoria Hills. “The St. Joe Company, Billy Casper Golf and Victoria Hills Golf Club are committed to upholding strict environmental practices that create sustainable places to live, work and play.”
“The unwavering commitment from the Victoria Hills team to create and maintain a sound environmental program is exceptional,” says Peter Hill, Chairman and CEO of BCG. “We’re very proud of all courses which have become members of the elite group to achieve prestigious ‘Sanctuary’ status.”
Following the Audubon International-approved steps for an environmentally-friendly golf course reduces waste and promotes efficient operations. An effective program results in a reduction of maintenance costs, including insurance premiums, energy, water, pesticides, fertilizer, equipment wear and labor.
Tucked away in the historic college town of DeLand, Victoria Hills is conveniently located off Interstate 4, easily in reach in under 30 minutes for both Orlando-area and Daytona Beach golfers. Designed by Lakeland-based Ron Garl, the stunning layout boasts more than 50 feet of elevation change, taking advantage of the area’s natural rolling hills, foliage and wetlands. Tall pines and majestic oaks frame the course while sandy natural areas and pristine lakes make for inspiring sight lines.
More information and additional rates can be found at www.victoriahillsgolf.com.
About Victoria Hills Golf Club
Victoria Hills, since opening in 2001, is one of Florida’s most decorated courses. It was named one of Florida’s “Hidden Gems” by Travel + Leisure Golf Magazine, and a “Top 10 You Can Play” by GOLF Magazine. Other accolades include:
* “4-1/2 Stars” – Golf Digest
* “Best You Can Play State-by-State” – Golfweek
* “America’s Top 40 Best New Courses” – Golfweek
* “No. 2 Florida Public Course of the New Millennium” – Travel + Leisure Golf
* “Florida’s Best New Golf Course” – Florida Golf News
* “One of the region’s Top 10 courses” – Orlando Sentinel
About Billy Casper Golf
Billy Casper Golf, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, was co-founded in 1989 by professional golf legend Billy Casper, the Masters and two-time U.S. Open winner who ranks seventh all-time with 51 PGA Tour wins. BCG serves its clients through three divisions: Billy Casper Golf, the full-service manager to golf-property developers, owners and public agencies; Buffalo Communications, the publicity, media-relations and marketing-communications agency representing many of the top brands in golf; and Buffalo Golf Trail, the customer-reward program providing consistent, high-quality experiences at BCG-managed properties nationwide.
About JOE
The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE), a publicly held company based in Jacksonville, is one of Florida’s largest real estate development companies. We are primarily engaged in real estate development and sales, with significant interests in timber.
More information about JOE can be found at our website at www.joe.com.
© 2009 The St. Joe Company. “JOE,” and “St. Joe” are service marks of The St. Joe Company.
Contact:
Shane Sharp
Buffalo Communications
704.519.8381 (cell)
ssharp@billycaspergolf.com
Bill Feidler
Buffalo Communications
703.615.4034
bfeidler@billycasperogolf.com
www.buffalocommunications.com
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