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Green Golf

FOR ALL THEIR “BIRDIES” AND “EAGLES,” MANY GOLFERS MIGHT NOT KNOW HOW THEIR FAVORITE PASTIME AFFECTS THE NATURAL WORLD – WE’LL FIND OUT ON THIS ENVIRONMINUTE.

THE IRRIGATION, PESTICIDES, AND FERTILIZERS USED ON MANY GOLF COURSES CAN LEAD TO SUB-PAR WATER QUALITY, BUT WITH GOOD DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT, GOLF TRULY CAN BE GREEN.

WOOD: GOLF COURSES CAN, DEPENDING ON HOW THEY’RE DESIGNED AND MANAGED, ALSO HAVE POSITIVE EFFECTS ON WATER QUALITY.

THAT’S ROBERT WOODOF THE E-PA WETLANDS DIVISION. HE SAYS COURSE CONSTRUCTION CAN ACTUALLY BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IF IT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE STREAM BANK RESTORATION OR HABITAT ENHANCEMENT.

HE ALSO RECOMMENDS COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS MINIMIZE PESTICIDE AND FERTILIZER USE, AND USE NATIVE VEGETATION TO AVOID INTRODUCING INVASIVE SPECIES.

TO FIND AN ECO-FRIENDLY GOLF COURSE IN YOUR AREA, LOG ON TO http://www.golfandenvironment.org

Click here to read The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Environmental Principles for Golf Courses.

And click here to read the USGA environmental principles.

To read more about this and other environmental health issues, go to: www.environmentalhealthnews.org, www.ourstolenfuture.org, or www.healthandenvironment.org