Florida's Windsor takes environmental step

Windsor, the 472-acre private sporting and residential community on the barrier island of Vero Beach along Florida’s Treasure Coast, announced its 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has been certified an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. The designation follows a comprehensive evaluation of Windsor’s environmental standards for the golf course. The course is now one of only 900 courses in the world to hold this certification.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program, developed by Audubon International, guides golf courses in protecting the environment and preserving golf's natural heritage. The path to certification includes a review of environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction, water conservation, and water quality management. The club’s accomplishments include expanding native vegetation, removing invasive plant species, providing quality water habitat, and conducting water quality testing.

“We are honored to receive recognition as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary,” said Betsy Hanley, CEO and president of Torwest, Inc., and president of Windsor Real Estate, Inc. “This certification directly aligns with Windsor’s mission to incorporate innovative sustainable practices into our residential community, and we look forward to launching new programming initiatives in line with Audubon International.”

"Windsor Florida has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Audubon International CEO Christine Kane.

Leading sustainability efforts at the golf course is Windsor’s newly appointed director of agronomy, Jared Nemitz. Previously working at The Ford Field & River Club, Nemitz brings experience and a passion for golf course management. He holds a bachelor's and masters degree in agronomy from Purdue University, and has 25 years of experience at premier courses including St. Andrews Links, the Honors Course and Chevy Chase Club.

Nemitz has led certification efforts with the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf designation at several courses, was recognized by the USGA Green Section for putting green management and served as an annual presenter at industry education conferences including the American Society of Agronomy, Georgia Environmental Conference, USGA Regional meetings, GCSAA Conference and Trade Show and other state association meetings.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jared Nemitz to our team at Windsor,” Windsor director of golf Ryan Skipton said. “With his extensive background and dedication to maintaining top-tier playing conditions, we are confident that he will make significant contributions to the already outstanding golf program at Windsor.”

Windsor’s 18-hole golf course initially opened in 1991. In 2019, Jones Jr. returned with his team to carry out an extensive renovation of the 120-acre course that recaptured the original design intent and updated golf holes in concert with today’s game. To reduce the golf club’s carbon footprint, the renovation introduced various environmentally conscious features including a more drought-tolerant variety of Bermudagrass, a reduction in the areas needing mowing and the installation of a new irrigation system. The Windsor course allows all members to play at their own pace, as there is a no-tee time policy.