Heathrow Legacy Country Club earns environmental designation

With close to 100 species—such as deer, turkey, bears, lizards, alligators, foxes, squirrels, panthers, bobcats, fish and several native and exotic birds—the Fazio Course at Heathrow Legacy Country Club near Orlando, is well known for its spectacular wildlife.

This dedication to nature conservation and preservation has enabled the course to earn Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Certification. This bronze level honor is one of the top certifications that Audubon International recognizes for golf courses. The Fazio Course is now one of approximately 100 golf courses in the world with this prestigious designation. 

This is the first time in seven years that the Fazio Course at Heathrow Legacy, one of 38 private clubs nationwide in the Concert Golf Partners network, has earned the Audubon International designation, which recognizes “distinctive environmental excellence.” Superintendent John Kopack, who is celebrating 50 years in the golf industry, made it a priority for the course to regain the honor.

Namesake architect Tom Fazio has praised the Fazio Course as among his best efforts. The 7,160-yard, par 72 layout carries a 74.5 rating and 132 slope carved around a dense forest of lush, mature trees, with spectacular topography, dramatic slopes, rises and knolls unique to Florida. Hole No. 12 is known as the “Tiger Trap,” as Tiger Woods once appeared out of the surrounding forest to challenge golfers to a closest-to-the-pin contest in a famous Buick TV commercial.

“It’s truly gratifying to have such a venerable, sustainability-driven club like Heathrow Legacy Country Club’s Fazio Course in the Signature Sanctuary certification fold,” Audubon International CEO Christine Kane said. “Under John Kopack’s expert direction and in close coordination with our team of Environmental Specialists, the club continues to set a high standard for stewardship at all levels, from creating wildlife corridors to saving energy. We congratulate everyone involved in this recertification effort.”

Kopack helped with the original construction of the Fazio Course in 1998 and was among Concert Golf Partners’ first employees. During that time, he was instrumental in making the Fazio Course one of the earliest recipients of the Audubon International Signature Sanctuary Certification. Kopack is now enjoying his third employment tenure with Concert Golf.

“To bring back the Audubon International Certification, and be involved again with their program means so much,” Kopack said. “Seeing all the turkey and deer never gets old.”

Part of Kopack’s mantra is to use minimally invasive course treatments to ensure he is managing the course in an environmentally sound manner. The course irrigates 99 percent of its water. No ground, reclaimed or potable city water is ever used. All of the lakes and ponds flow into a pump station, where it refilters into the turf grass and drains into a specifically designated pond.

To meet and exceed Audubon International Signature Sanctuary standards, Kopack installed wetland-friendly plants, such as canna lilies, spartinas and arrowheads. He also added bird boxes and duck boxes. The club will also use environmentally conservative paint on its buildings and structures. As part of the program, Kopack plans to “adopt” an elementary school class and meet with them monthly to discuss environmental best practices, as well as educate them on the importance of creating wetlands, butterfly gardens and installing bird feeders.

“The Fazio Course was born out of its natural surroundings and endeavors to preserve this habitat,” Concert Golf COO Susan Dunnavant said. “John Kopack was the original Concert Golf vice president of agronomy, and he was at this location previously. He understands the delicacy of care the course requires to coexist with its surroundings. The fact that it has been certified by Audubon International is a testament that the balance between golf and nature has endured.”

Heathrow Legacy was the first club owned by Concert Golf and last year, Concert Golf announced that it was installing $3 million worth of enhancements at Heathrow Legacy.