Golf's environmental movement

The golf industry seems focused on environmental issues again, after a few years of relative quiet. It’s probably in response to the rekindling environmental awareness in Washington D.C. and the nation. That alone suggests golf is more reactive than proactive, despite numerous industry press releases.

Like other industries, golf’s environmental leaders are generally large and profitable companies, who see the payoff in environmentally sound management in both real dollars and image. But the “golf industry” is more a collection of smaller, poorer, independent operators, who lag behind because of cost.

On the 20th anniversary of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for golf courses I asked Audubon International’s executive director Kevin Fletcher for his take. He shares my opinion that golf’s environmental performance is mixed. Too many anti-golf environmental articles trot out the same three golf course incidents to create false illusions that golf courses are environmental disasters. However, Fletcher says the industry is doing the same thing, repeatedly featuring the relatively few eco friendly exemplars. He fears the industry reads its own press releases and figures little is left to be done, comparable to self-esteem courses making students feel better about their academic abilities than is really warranted.

While golf can tout many “natural advantages” and truly significant operational changes, it remains in a difficult public relations position and it may get worse. Golf’s environmentalism is a mix of responding to legal requirements and undertaking voluntary measures under programs like those of Audubon International, LEED certification and the new Golf Environmental Organization.