The College Golf Course in Delhi announced that it has been certified as an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary for the 20th consecutive year.
To be certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, a golf course must demonstrate a high level of environmental quality in several areas including: environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, public relations and education, chemical reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management According to a press release. After being named, the courses must go through a recertification process every three years.
By participating in the ACSP for Golf, the golf course has been involved in numerous environmental projects, including saving energy and reducing water consumption, using integrated pest control techniques, naturalizing areas and managing resources under an environmentally conscious manager, the press release said.
The golf course in Delhi is one of only 829 courses worldwide that have received the ASCP award, according to the announcement. According to the golf course’s website, only the University of Maryland at College Park and University of Notre Dame College golf courses in the US are also ASCP certified. The Audubon International website lists some success stories on other ASCP certified golf courses, including the Cozumel Country Club in Cozumel, Mexico and the Locust Hill Country Club in Pittsford.
“We are honored to be inducted into a number of elite golf courses in the country to receive this outstanding recognition,” said Dave Arehart, general manager of Delhi College Golf Course, in the press release. “Our employees do everything to look after the site responsibly. As the course serves as an educational laboratory for our Golf and Sports Turf Management and Business and Professional Golf Management programs, our involvement with the Audubon Sanctuary program will help future industry leaders understand and gain a commitment to green golf course operations. ”
One of these students is Sean Gordon, a junior at SUNY Delhi and a member of the college golf team. He said he learned a lot about environmental issues related to golf course management during his studies.
More information about Audubon International can be found at auduboninternational.org. The College Golf Course in Delhi is still open for the 2021 season. Further information is available at golfcourse.delhi.edu.