60 golf courses at 44 resorts in 13 countries committed to completing the ESPA Program by the end of 2014
ORLANDO, Fla. – January 9, 2014 – Marriott Golf, one of the world’s premier golf operators, today unveiled the Environmental Sustainability Performance Award Program (ESPA), an initiative that will serve as a benchmark for environmental stewardship across the Company’s worldwide golf portfolio. Highlighting the program, 60 Marriott golf courses at 44 resorts in 13 countries will be asked to complete the program criteria by the end of 2014, with each facility receiving an ESPA commendation signifying their commitment to environmental leadership.
The Marriott Golf ESPA Program is based on four key achievement criteria, including:
• Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses
• Water Conservation Strategy
o Each property will develop a written natural resources management plan specific to their golf course, which will identify best practices and key metrics for reducing irrigation water consumption.
o Completion of an Irrigation Audit by a Certified Golf Irrigation Auditor.
• Carbon Footprinting Plan
o Completion of Syngenta’s EcoMeasures Tool with a goal to reduce year-over-year carbon footprint.
• Marriott Golf Conservation Scorecard
o This is a newly developed exclusive evaluation of nearly 100 key conservation standards. A property will need to achieve a pre-determined percentage of the standards to complete this section, and an annual re-certification and update will be required.
Upon completion of these four criteria, each participating property will receive an ESPA commendation from Marriott Golf, designating it as a certified sustainable facility.
“This program is the next step in Marriott Golf’s Company-wide commitment to environmental sustainability,” said David H. Robinson, Senior Director of Golf Grounds, Marriott Golf. “We were the first resort golf operator to mandate every property in its portfolio to become a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Now, with the ESPA Program, we have further positioned Marriott Golf as the industry’s premier ‘green’ golf management organization, while reinforcing Marriott International’s worldwide commitment to environmental consciousness.”
Marriott Golf’s ESPA Program comes on the heels of the Company’s 2008 mandate for all properties to become Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, which enabled each golf facility the ability to protect the environment by enhancing precious natural areas and wildlife habitats. In order to achieve Audubon Certification, which is endorsed by the United States Golf Association, a golf facility is required to demonstrate that it is maintaining the highest degree of environmental quality in many areas including Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach & Education, Chemical Use Reduction & Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
About Marriott Golf
Marriott Golf manages 60 golf courses at 44 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.
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Contact:
Glenn Mastro (gmastro@mastrocomm.com)
Mastro Communications, Inc. @ 732-469-5700
