Runice posted on September 01, 2011 06:53
The use of worthwhile native plants on golf courses is increasing. A revolution is happening at courses across the country as they go green. Golf courses are a major land use in metropolitan areas and have long been criticized for being environmentally unfriendly. Recently, innovative golf course managers have been converting highly maintained out-of-play areas to native species. There are many benefits, both environmental and economic, to converting to native species, among them the following:
· Native plants are perennial thereby saving the cost of reseeding and replanting.
· There are fewer insects or disease problems with natives so the use of pesticides is greatly reduced resulting in both a cost savings and an environmental benefit.
· Since natives are more heat and drought resistant, the cost of watering and water consumption are greatly reduced.
· Natives attract wildlife for food and forage, making the course a more environmentally friendly space.
· Since native plantings do not require frequent mowing, the heavy use of fossil fuel required by traditional golf courses is reduced.
· Because native plants have extensive root systems, they can be very helpful in combating erosion problems.
· Apart from any cost or environmental benefit, native plantings are extremely attractive and colorful.
· Native plantings around water holes can be designed to discourage nuisance species, such as geese, from visiting and living at the course.
The most common complaints about the use of native plants have been that it takes a few years for the natives to become sufficiently established before they are attractive. Next, some golfers have complained that they lose their balls in the high grasses. However, each of these complaints are quickly overcome by the other benefits, such as creating a greener more sustainable course and the personal and public relations benefit of an environmentally friendly space.
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses awards certifications to recognize golf courses that protect the environment, conserve natural resources, and provide wildlife habitats. The extensive use of native plantings is an essential component of the certification process. Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois began participating in the Audubon Society Cooperative Sanctuary Program and in 1996 became the first golf course in Illinois to become fully certified. Today, hundreds of golf courses across the country have joined the movement. If you are interested in learning about the benefits of native plants on golf courses, please give us a call.