V o l u m e X V , M a y / J u n eV o l u m e X V , M a y / J u n e

15 YEARS OF EDUCATING THE PRIVATE CLUB INDUSTRYTheBoardR

oommagazine

Volum

eXV,

May/

June2011

Chet BeilerAmish CountryGazebos

H. J. ChrisCCI Club Design

Rick SnellingerChambers

Dave MunkvoldDuininck Golf

Walter AllenFerry, Hayes& AllenDesigners

Anne SciarroneH. Anne Blakely

SciarroneArchitecture

Linda BlairImage Design

J. GrahamGoldsmith

J. Graham GoldsmithArchitects

Robert VailKast Construction

Tom BenzKaufman LynnConstruction

Mike MarshMAI

Marsh &Associates

Bill McMahon Sr.McMahon Group

Brian IdlePeacock + Lewis

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THE BOARDROOM • MAY/JUNE 201120

Red Rocks Country Club leadership is leveragingits magnificent location in the foothills of theRockies, along with its passion for the great out-doors to strategically create a new “family-friend-

ly green lifestyle” model for progressive-thinking privateclubs. The club and its challenging 7,000-yard-plus champi-

onship golf course are enticingly remote while still a part ofthe sophisticated Denver urban area. Situated just two miles west of metro Denver’s western belt-

way, Red Rocks Country Club is tucked in a spectacular valley6,000 feet above sea level behind the jagged rocky cliffs of theDakota and Dinosaur Ridges that locals call “the Hogback.”

Just north of the club is world-famous Red Rocks Park andamphitheatre, whose dramatic stone formations can be seenfrom the clubhouse and patio. From the 17th tee box, golferscan see Denver’s downtown skyline 30 miles below and thepeaked tent roof of Denver International Airport 50 milesaway. Deer, elk, hawks and eagles linger as part of the scene.

NATURE AND CULTURE Club leaders believe that the natural environment, wel-

coming culture and a strong strategic plan provide a solidstage for sustainable growth for generations to come. Incorporated in 1993, Red Rocks Country Club’s is a

young culture connected to the earth and inclusive of

COVER STORY

RED ROCKS COUNTRY CLUB PRESIDENT GLEN ZOBJECK, WINE GLASS IN HAND, TOASTS THE NEW CULINARY GARDEN

ALONG WITH WIFE GLENDA AND THEIR FAMILY; THEY ARE JOINED BY GENERAL MANAGER MARK CONDON, LEFT OF

GLENDA, AND EXECUTIVE CHEF ROBERT MEITZER. THE DISPLAY IS SET ON THE ORIGINAL FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT CLUB-

HOUSE DOOR THAT WILL BECOME THE DINING TABLE FOR THE NEW GARDEN.

Red Rocks Country Club Strategy For Sustainability Is Solid as a Rock

BY CAROL GREEN

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • THE BOARDROOM 21

women and families. While other clubs struggle to changetheir culture and develop programs for families or newwomen golfers, a warm and welcoming approach has alwaysbeen central to the Red Rocks heritage. “We are a new type of club that truly respects our land and

natural resources,” explained Red Rocks Country ClubGeneral Manager Mark Condon. Trained at DisneyUniversity and Ritz Carlton, Condon has a distinguishedcareer in metro Denver private club management. “Our members value activities that connect us to the her-

itage of our location,” said Condon who champions water con-servation, club gardening and the inclusive culture of the club.In such a stunning natural setting, it’s no wonder that Red

Rocks Country Club already is on the “green” pathway.Among Denver area clubs, it has emerged as a leader in thesustainability movement. The first plants are popping up this summer in the Culinary

Garden, a two-acre produce patch replacing a waste area visibleto golfers on the ninth fairway near the clubhouse. Outdoorfeasts in the field, dinners of hand-selected favorite produce arethe vision of Executive Chef Robert Meitzer, who became pas-sionate about the green movement while teaching sustainabili-ty curriculum at Denver’s Johnston & Wales UniversityCollege of Culinary Arts.The new garden is his top professional passion. Last season, Chef Robert planted his own organic herb

garden behind the clubhouse kitchen. The Book Club dis-cussed “Animal, Vegetable or Miracle,” by BarbaraKingsolver; Chef Robert created a fresh menu mostly fromlocal farmers’ markets and his own garden. “Producing our own food and living off the earth is very

fundamental to our roots,” explains board president GlenZobjeck. “I’m sure Culinary Garden reservations will beprized.” The Culinary Garden dining tables are re-purposed Frank

Lloyd Wright doors that graced the clubhouse entrance formany years. Throughout the growing season, the table willbe set with varietal hand-harvested chilies, beets, onions, let-tuces, squashes, cucumbers, leeks, radishes, carrots and egg-plant. The garden dining area will include low walls and trel-

lises and stone pavers to add warmth on cool Coloradoevenings. “I love great fresh food and wine and visiting with

friends,” sums up Zobjeck in explaining why he enjoys RedRocks Country Club. “The garden is an example of thevision and excitement we have come to expect from our pro-fessional staff. Yet, you will see chef Robert at the localfarmer’s market shopping for the freshest and the best. He’sa very down-to-earth guy.” Water is essential for garden and golf course survival in the

West. Red Rocks Country Club was originally part of aranch. Early club members used their private golf carts tocarry buckets of water along with their golf clubs to nurtureperennials planted near tee boxes. Now, the board is completing a multiple-year project to

replace the pipeline that brings critical water from nearbySouth Turkey Creek to the club’s two reservoirs. Not longago, the club lined one of its two storage reservoirs to pre-vent seepage and conserve water. Also, a few years ago, theclub removed thirsty fairway grass around the tees and alongthe fairways and replaced it with native grasses requiringonly rainwater during the hot summer months. Board Treasurer Louis Raskasky, a veteran finance execu-

tive, believes the board is making good choices in savingwater. For example, he points out that golf course water con-sumption has dropped by 30 percent while 600 yards of playhave been added, allowing the course to top 7,000 yards. In addition to 18 holes of challenging mountain golf,

members have access to a network of hiking trails throughnearly 2,000 private acres of mountainous open space andtwo private lakes that they share with wildlife. Families may fish in one of the lakes and with spring

comes a special fishing derby for children.

SUSTAINABLE ORGANIC PLANLeaders of Red Rocks Country Club realized that to sus-

tain their culture and protect its environment, they need astrategic plan with clear objectives and goals. A professionalstrategic planner and facilitator, director Linda Irwin led

SEE COVER STORY - PAGE 105

Leaders of Red Rocks Country Club realized that to sustain their culture

and protect its environment, they need a strategic plan with clear

objectives and goals. A professional strategic planner and facilitator,

director Linda Irwin led teams through a year-long dynamic process:

“You might say it’s an organic strategy,” she says of the living document

and action plans that have resulted.

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THE BOARDROOM • MAY/JUNE 201122

COVER STORY

MirimichiA ‘Green’ Place of

Happy Retreat

Bringing It To The Green

Sowing the Seeds of Sustainable Growth (my last arti-cle for the Boardroom Green Edition, May/June2010) argued that securing social and environmental

recognition is not a revolution for the golf industry. An effi-ciently managed golf club can present the highest qual-ity product while minimizing resource use, maximizing out-comes for people and the environment, and communi-cating this in a way that is understood by local communi-ties and trusted by government.

With the help of the Golf Environment Organization (GEO- www.golfenvironment.org) many golf clubs around theworld - private, daily fee, resort and municipal - areachieving these outcomes today.

The solution is GEO OnCourse™, a suite of tools andstep-by-step guidance that support golf managementteams in achieving the prestigious GEO Certified™award. The five clubs profiled in this article are bringing

By Heather Arias de Cordoba

“Environmental sustainability at Mirimichi is about more than what we can do at our course,” says Justin Timberlake,entertainer and co-owner of Mirimichi, an eco-friendly public course near Memphis, Tennessee.

“It’s about taking a leadership role and encouraging other golf courses and organizations of all kinds around theworld to emulate our commitment towards making a positive impact on the world that we live in.

“This is where I grew up, this is home…and it always will be for me,” maintains Timberlake. So, when the formerlynamed Big Creek Golf Course came up for auction in 2007, Timberlake and his family bought the property.

“Any time you can give back to that and get 18 holes in, it’s a win-win,” Timberlake continued.

By Benjamin Warren

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • THE BOARDROOM 23

When Timberlake purchased theproperty with his mother and stepfa-ther, Lynn and Paul Harless, thecourse was struggling financially andin need of extensive ground restruc-turing in to order to meet champi-onship requirements.Resolute from the get go to

improve the course, keep the coursepublic and make it as eco-friendly aspossible, Timberlake posed the ques-tion, “Is it possible for a golf course toactually be green?”A little over two years later, the

answer is a resounding yes! Mirimichiis the first course in the U.S. to receiveclassic certification by AudubonInternational and one of just 14 clubsin the world to be certified by the GolfEnvironment Organisation (GEO), aninternational non-profit organizationdedicated to helping golf achieve itspotential as a social, environmentaland economic asset.“What we see (Mirimichi) is a

model example of sustainability ingolf,” says Jonathan Smith, CEO ofthe GEO. “Mirimichi is well integrat-ed into the community, and hasfocused on maximizing the site’s eco-logical value while minimizingresource consumption. “Mirimichi highlights that with the

engagement of motivated staff mem-bers who are actively encouraged to

explore common sense opportunitiesto enhance the facility’s environmentaland social value. Golf really can delivera diverse range of benefits to local peo-ple and ecosystems.”Mirimichi reopened in September

2010 with a finished course, a 10,000sq. ft. Mirimichi Performance andLearning Center and a LittleMirimichi 9-hole, par-35 course forbeginners.

GOING GREEN In the beginning, sustainability con-

sultants from Audubon Environmentalwere called in to guide Mirimichi.“With your average golf course,

more than half of the property is noteven used to play golf on,” saysAudubon Environmental’s chief tech-nical officer Russ Bodie.“A big part of making a course envi-

ronmentally sustainable is looking atthose out-of-play areas. At Mirimichi,we were able to eliminate more than100 acres of turf grass on the out-of-play areas and replace it with nativegrasses that require much less mainte-nance, fertilizer and water. “These areas have been planted

with wildflowers and thousands oftrees and shrubs native to westTennessee and are now managed asnatural habitats. These areas can beused a habitats for resident animals

and as safe corridors for animals tomove across the course,” Bodie adds.In addition to addressing the out-

of-play areas, the Mirimichi team alsoreplaced the entire fleet of golf cartswith new electric carts. They installeda new irrigation system that reduceswater consumption by using softwarelinks that measure on-site rainfall.And they are taking a more proactive,

SEE MIRIMICHI - PAGE 24

it to the green for different reasons, but all are achievingtheir desired outcomes by working through a simple anduser-friendly process.

Broken Sound Club, Boca Raton, FloridaGEO Certified™ February 2011

A 5-Star Platinum Club of America and host of theChampions Tour Allianz Championship since 2007, theexpansive Broken Sound Club is a social and recreationalhub at the urban heart of Boca Raton. For general man-ager John Crean, CCM, it was a logical step - if not an easyone - for his team to take environmental protection andenhancement to the core of the club’s business model.

SEE BRINGING GREEN - PAGE 24

PAGE 22: THE WOODS BEHINDHOLE 15 AT MIRIMICHI

PAGE 23: JUSTIN TIMBERLAKEPLAYING THE COURSE

PAGE 24: FAIRWAY ON HOLE 17

THE BOARD AND MANAGEMENT TEAM OF BROKEN SOUND RECEIVETHE GEO CERTIFIED™ AWARD FROM GEO CHIEF EXECUTIVEJONATHAN SMITH (PICTURED HOLDING CERTIFICATE).

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sustainable approach to pest management, “usingchemicals is the last resort,” says Bodie. “Organic and natural materials are used wherever

possible,” Bodie adds. “Walnut extract is used tocontrol pests in some areas of the course, and thechemicals and fertilizers used at Mirimichi comefrom a select list that has gone through a risk assess-ment process. “It’s important to put out the right amount and

type of fertilizer so that it stays on the playing sur-face and doesn’t wash into ponds or nearby streams.We looked at it from the perspective that every

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“To be the first club in Florida to achieve the GEOCertified™ award is a huge honor for Broken Sound,”Crean enthused. “The program requirements are exten-sive but align perfectly with our management philosophyof driving continual environmental performance.

“GEO Certified™ is golf’s premier sustainability award andachieving this recognition is an genuine point of distinc-tion for our members.” (see page 26 for a more detailedstory on Broken Sound)

The Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau, New Territories, Hong KongGEO Certified™ December 2010

Halfway around the world in Hong Kong, the GEOCertified™ award has brought wide recognition to a 15-year effort by the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau (JCKSC)public golf course to transform a disused military rangeinto a living landscape.

Now the busiest public golf course in Asia, JCKSC is a shin-ing light of environmental innovation featuring a solarhybrid ferry, solar powered electric golf cars and a

restored landscape and thriving ecology. Its 54 holes ofworld-class golf include two 18-hole courses designed bynine-time major champion Gary Player.

General manager Cameron Halliday understands thatecological and environmental quality builds golfer loyaltyto the JCKSC product:

“Our courses average in excess of 180,000 rounds everyyear, making our facility one of the busiest in Asia – andthe sustainable golf experience sits at the very heart ofwhat we offer. Achieving this prestigious award enablesthe Jockey Club to showcase its commitment to provid-ing environmentally friendly golf facilities on the worldstage,” Halliday explained.

“Hopefully our GEO Certified™ distinction is an inspira-tion for others, as the need for sustainable golf leader-ship in the booming Asian golf economy is more impor-tant now than ever.”

Machrihanish Dunes, Kintyre, ScotlandGEO Certified™ November 2010

Machrihanish Dunes, a unique project driven by theScottish Government, Southworth Development andDavid McKlay Kidd, was the first golf course ever devel-oped in a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) protect-ed landscape, and the first golf course in Scotland toachieve the GEO Certified™ award.

Through careful planning, design and construction, inpartnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, MachrihanishDunes has established an ecological legacy that will becontinually improved through sensitive long-term man-agement. This GEO Certified™ award ensures that golfers,government and general public can understand andappreciate the ways in which this golf business is makingan economic and environmental contribution toScotland.

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THE JOCKEY CLUB

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • THE BOARDROOM 25

pond is a frog’s home, and it’s not just an area that you drainall the bad water into.”Native aquatic vegetation was planted around the edges of

the ponds and streams, which helps protect the water quali-ty and provides safe access to the water for wildlife.

WHAT’S NEXT?The management at Mirimichi has promised the future

clubhouse will be designed and built to LEED standardsusing sustainable, recycled and local building materials. “We will continue to audit our energy use and set annual

goals for energy reduction. We are looking at solar power andgeothermal energy to supplement our other energy use.”

The future use of solar power-assisted golf carts is also upfor discussion.“You can never reach a stage where you can say ‘we’ve

arrived’. It’s such a growing industry, with new product andimprovements constantly evolving to help create an effi-ciently managed facility,” says Bodie. “It’s about continuing to push boundaries. Sustainability is

a journey.” BR

Heather Arias de Cordoba is associate editor with BoardRoommagazine. She can be reached at (949) 273-1677 orheather@apcd.com

Moon Palace Resort, Cancun, MexicoGEO Certified™ October 2010

When the world’s environmental leaders convened atMoon Palace Resort for the United Nations COP16Climate Conference in November 2010, they tackled

the global challenge of climate change at a point ofinterface between biodiversity rich Mexican jungleand two of the world’s greenest golf courses - MoonPalace Resort and Riviera Cancun, both from NicklausDesign.

As owner Jose Chapur explains, environmental leadershipgoes to the heart of the Palace Resorts business:

“In developing golf on the Riviera Maya we embracedthe environmental richness of our jungle landscape andtook every possible opportunity to conserve andenhance Mexico’s natural and cultural assets. The experi-ence offered to our guests is both luxurious and also sen-sitive to the immeasurable value of the ecosystems thathost it.

“The GEO Certified™ award is becoming established as aglobal seal of approval for environmentally sensitive golf.That we are among the first golf resorts to achieve thisaward is a source of great pride and a mark of distinctionfor our committed team of superintendents, groundsmenand ecologists.”

MACHRIHANISH DUNES

SEE BRINGING GREEN - PAGE 104

MOON PALACE RESORT

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THE BOARDROOM • MAY/JUNE 201126

THE ANSWER IS AN EMPHATIC, ‘YES!’

After all of the construction dustsubsides and the “green” theories settleback into the reality of what used to becalled “best practices”, John Crean,general manager, Broken Sound Club,and Jon Olson, LEED certified archi-tect with Peacock + Lewis Architectsand Planners, testify to the worthinessof sustainable design.Broken Sound Club is located in

Boca Raton, an area of southeasternFlorida heavily populated with golfclubs. Over the past 10 years the lead-ership at Broken Sound has enthusias-tically pursued campus wide upgradesand expansion for its more than 1400members that defies the recent lacklus-ter economic environment.“We have been making efforts to

become more environmentally sensi-tive, and reduce energy costs and con-sumption,” Crean explained. “But

implementing a program of energy sav-ings and recycling is not necessarilyeasy as member satisfaction and serviceplus cost efficiency may be at odds withyour green program.”What began as a small step in the

introduction of biodegradable cupsand recycling and the skepticism ofmany of the members has now led tocomposting and Golf EnvironmentalOrganisation’s (GEO) certificationunder the leadership of a “green” gen-eral manager and board of governors. Italso led to other developments.“In this changing economic envi-

ronment when many clubs are lookingfor cost-cutting measures, BrokenSound leaders recognized this as anopportunity and embarked on anaggressive facilities improvement plan,”explained P+L’s Jon Olson.In 2008 the board of Broken

Sound Club exhibited confidence in

the practicality and long-term bene-fits of the substainability movement.Broken Sound chose Peacock +Lewis as the architect and WeitzCompany, Inc. as the contractor tobring its vision to life.“At the base of this movement,”

Crean muses, “is the underlyingimpact of saving money for eachmember but more importantly sav-ing in a way that makes membersproud of their club.”

Green Certification: Broken Soundnot only has received AudubonSanctuary certification but alsorecently became only the second golffacility in the U.S. to be GEOCertified – the sustainability assur-ance of the international non-profitGolf Environment Organisation (seeGEO story on page 22) “Jonathan Smith, the Scotland-based

CEO, was at the club for the AllianzSeniors Championship to make thepresentation in person, and to becomeonly the second club in the UnitedStates to receive GEO certification is ahuge honor,” Crean exclaimed. “GEO’s stringent certification

requirements reflect our own philoso-phy in maintaining environmentalresponsibility. GEO sets the interna-tional ‘gold standard’ in the field ofgolf course sustainability, and to be rec-ognized by them is an incredible dis-tinction.” In the team effort required to achieve

certification, Broken Sound Golfmaintenance director Joseph Hubbard,CGCS, a GCSAA member, coordinat-

COVER STORY - BROKEN SOUND CLUB

Green With EnvySustainable Design – Is it really worth the effort?

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ed a vast amount of data from the club’s operations to com-plete the GEO application. “I have been involved in getting over a dozen courses

Audubon Co-Operative Sanctuary certified in my years as asuperintendent,” said Hubbard, “but this was by far a moreadvanced look at accountability and sustainability within theenvironmental preservation world. “ The GEO certification is recent example of Broken

Sound’s leadership in resource efficiency and environmentalstewardship. And in April 2011, National Geographic select-ed Broken Sound as one of 10 environmentally green golfcourses, (one of six Geo Certified). Information aboutBroken Sound’s selection appears on National Geographic’swebsite. www.nationalgeographic.com.

Among other sustainable efforts Broken Sound has under-taken are:

Recycling - Broken Sound’s first steps began small with theuse of environmentally friendly products such as biodegrad-able ecotainer cups, elimination of Styrofoam products and

plastic water bottles, recycling program for cans and plasticand separate dumpster for cardboard. However, the newcups being used in the golf carts “sweated” too much andmembers complained. Rather than do away with the cupsand return to the old ones, Crean had a new cup cozydesigned, which enabled the members to use them withoutany problems.

Organic composting facility – Last year Broken SoundClub invested in a central composting facility that combinesorganic materials from landscaping activities with food fromthe kitchen. The end product is used to fertilize the golfcourse. Projected annual savings to the club: $300,000.

Solar-assisted hot water – After the recycling was inplace, the club began using more energy efficient light bulbsand then progressed to the installation of solar panels. Thesolar panels were installed to heat the pool and hot waterheaters which are heated by natural gas 24/7 on a recirculat-ing pump basis for hot water for showers and sinks.

SEE BROKEN SOUND - PAGE 103

BRIAN D. IDLE, SR. VICE PRESIDENT, PEACOCK +LEWIS,JOHN CREAN CCM, BROKEN SOUND CLUBJON OLSON, LEED AP, PEACOCK + LEWIS

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THE BOARDROOM • MAY/JUNE 201128

AUDUBON

Environmental StewardshipBeyond Water and Wildlife

TWENTY YEARS AGO AUDUBONINTERNATIONAL LAUNCHED ANEDUCATIONAL PROGRAM – THEAUDUBON COOPERATIVESANCTUARY PROGRAM FOR GOLFCOURSES (ACSP)—DESIGNED TOHELP GOLF COURSE SUPERINTEND-ENTS AND MANAGERS SERVE ASGOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVI-RONMENT.

With the help of the golf industry,most especially the USGA, educationand certification components of theprogram were developed, comprised ofsix categories: Environmental planning;wildlife and habitat management;

chemical use reduction and safety; waterconservation; water quality manage-ment, and outreach and education. Through the years we have seen sig-

nificant environmental performance andimprovement on golf courses in theseareas (see BoardRoom Jan/Feb 2011).As we approached our 20th anniver-

sary, we wondered how other aspects ofenvironmental management haveadvanced on golf courses. While devel-oping the 2010 managed lands surveyfor golf to track the impact of theACSP, we decided to include questionsabout topics that we have traditionallynot focused in the golf program. This

left us with a number of new and use-ful results, including:• A recognition that environmental

action leads to business value leadsmany businesses to invest not only innew technologies and practices, butalso in their employees. Offeringincentives or rewards to boost employ-ee involvement in environmental activ-ities can lead to a number of ideas forincreased efficiency by the staff thatknows the property best. Seventy-eightpercent of respondents offer incentivesto their employees, compared to onlysix percent before joining.• Sixty-one percent of respondents

removed turfgrass from the golf courseproperty at an average of 18 acres of tur-fgrass. While 53 percent are transitioningto fuel efficient vehicles, only 13 percentwere looking at this before joining theprogram. Even more dramatically, 78percent are transitioning to renewableenergy sources, compared to three per-cent before joining the program. Intoday’s economic climate, with soaringfuel costs, these projects are going to pos-itively influence the bottom line. Over46 percent have reduced electricity costsand 44 percent have reduced fuel costssince joining. Interestingly, 23 percentwere unsure as to whether there were costsavings or not, indicating a need for bet-ter environmental accounting.• Another line item on most budgets

is tipping fees for waste. The amountof composting on golf courses has dou-bled for those involved in the program,with 60 percent composting grass clip-

SEE AUDUBON - PAGE 99

By Joellen Lampman

Broken Sound Golf & Country Club in Boca Raton, FL was spending $130,000per year to haul away trimmed landscape materials. $425,000 was invested increating a compost area within the maintenance yard. This project reduces odorand methane gas release, creates compost that can be used to fertilize fairwaysand roughs, and saves $90,000 in savings from disposal fees and labor savingsof up to $60,000 per year.

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corner, and force computer equipment to compete for capi-tal dollars with other, sexier projects like golf courseimprovements and clubhouse renovations. This pitfall is easily avoided. Simply put together a mean-

ingful budget that incrementally improves the club’s comput-er inventory over time. Start by first calculating the replace-ment value of the club’s computer equipment, then divide by5 (the average life expectancy for computer equipment is 5years), and put that result in the budget as an annual expense

line item called “Computer Equipment Replacement.” Thatwill provide you with the annual budget amount the clubneeds to stay current – and will help you squeeze the most pro-ductivity out of your technology investment. BR

Bill Boothe and Brian Warren are partners in Private ClubTechnology Solutions, an independent consulting and servicesfirm that specializes in technology for private clubs. Their com-bined work has been with more than 350 private clubs, address-ing all facets of their technology challenges. Bill and Brian canbe reached at www.PCTSGroup.com or (561) 275-1515.

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • THE BOARDROOM 99

pings, and 70 percent composting landscape mate-rials. Half of respondents reduced waste manage-ment costs since joining, with 22 percent beingunsure as to whether there were saving or not.

Kevin Fletcher, Ph.D., executive director atAudubon International, reflects on these results,“Through all of our programs, we provide a strin-gent, voluntary standard of environmental protec-tion based on sound science and best managementpractices. “What’s sometimes lost when people talk about

our programs, however, is education. We’re work-ing to provide people with tools, ideas, and infor-mation to make change happen,” he explained. “This only could happen through effective envi-

ronmental education, which is the core of theAudubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program and allof our programs. As individuals are educated aboutthe natural environment and sustainability, thenthey begin to take steps beyond even what werequire in our programs. “That’s why this survey shows us that our mem-

bers are taking positive action beyond even the pro-gram requirements.”Throughout the golf course, the maintenance

facility, the clubhouse, and other amenities, thereare environmental opportunities that are also busi-ness opportunities. In many cases, your return on investment will be

short. Whether participating in AudubonInternational programs, or other environmentalinitiatives, the bottom line is to keep the bottomline in an open mind. BR

Joellen Lampman is Audubon Cooperative SanctuaryPrograms Director, Audubon International. She can bereached via email: jlampman@auduboninternational.org

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After realizing that they had used 85,000 individual water bottles inone year, The Roaring Fork Club in Basalt, CO decided to eliminatethe sale and consumption of bottles to help reduce their global impact.They eliminated all water bottle cooler stations and reinstated tap watercooler stations with cone paper cups or bio-degradable (corn) plasticcups. It costs $22,000 per year to maintain the water coolers, whichis substantially lower than the $34,000 per year purchase price of bot-tled water, saving $12,000 per year.

Reusing landscape materialscan also be done on a moremodest scale. Stone MountainGolf Club in Stone Mountain,GA piles trimmed brush,branches, and small trees andgrinds down the materialevery other year for use asmulch throughout the property.

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MAY/JUNE 2011 • THE BOARDROOM 103

The board was initially skepticalabout the expense and rate of return,however the tax credits received com-bined with the long-term energy sav-ings convinced them that the solarpanels would pay for themselves. Thesephotovoltaic panels have saved the clubthousands of dollars over the five-yearperiod.Reclaimed Water - With water being

an issue in South Florida and imple-mentation of water restrictions, the clublooked to obtain reclaimed water fromBoca Raton. The EnvironmentalProtection Agency is looking at citiesand water utilities to stop the ocean out-flow of reclaimed water since it destroysthe coral reefs because of the nitrogencontent.

Environmental groups and thestate are also mandating that we useless of our natural resources by tak-ing reclaimed water. Broken Soundwas instrumental in working withthe City of Boca to obtain reclaimedwater for its two golf courses to sup-plement its regular water supply.Card Room Addition with Energy

Upgrades – Peacock + LewisArchitects created a master plan for

the renovation for the clubhouse fea-turing a new card room suite. Thisarea boasts a super-insulated roof andwall system, LED lighting, energymanagement and cooling controls.

Operating costs are projected to be25 percent lower than the costs of thesame square footage in the existingbuilding. The Weitz Company hassuccessfully managed the construc-tion activities to bring the project inon budget and ahead of schedule.Solar Array – On the drawing

board is an aggressive energy produc-tion plan for Broken Sound thatcould create an acre of solar collec-tors to generate power from carportstructures.

Flexible film collectors fromKonarka will be used to create aunique and signature design for thesolar array. Preliminary estimatesforecast an energy creation with pay-back of the initial investment in 31/2 years. Initial discussions withplanning and zoning representativeshave begun and the groundwork forthe projects development.

“The direct benefit of these ener-gy-saving initiatives is reduced mem-ber dues and fees over the mediumto long term in a time of strong eco-

nomic pressures and focus on mem-ber retention,” added Crean.

“We’ve already seen savings as a resultof our solar panels and LED lighting.Also, as another example, our budget forpesticides and fungicides is $350,000per year. Our compost will take 2 1/2years to get 1/8” to ¼” of compost onthe fairways.

“During this period it works its wayinto the soil and binds to the root ofthe plant along with the fertilizer. Thisallows the plant to take nutrients for alonger period of time and is notwashed away into the ground, therebyusing less.

“Further, less water is required,which is an important considerationin a water-restricted state. We esti-mate our budget to be reduced by$100,000 per year in fertilizer use andanother reduction of $70,000 in hav-ing fewer pickups for landscape andfood waste and this is an immediatesavings to the membership,” headded.

“In a program such as this, it is notonly of benefit to our own member-ship but also to the greater communi-ty in the health of lakes and canalswhich would be even more wide-spread if hundreds of clubs imple-mented such programs.

“We, as managers, need an entre-preneurial spirit in order to ensure thestrategic sustainability of our mem-bership over the long term for thesemembers to be able to afford andenjoy their club, and I am fortunatethat Broken Sound members haveembraced the “green” philosophy.”

“The success at Broken SoundClub is demonstrated in the phe-nomenal increase in utilization at theclub. The leadership, the staff andcarefully selected consultants arecommitted to making the experienceat Broken Sound Club memorablewhile coming through the processwith a better understanding of whatsustainability means to our busi-ness.” he concluded. BR

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SOLAR PIX COURTESY OF KONARKA

SOLAR PIX COURTESY OF KONARKA

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Mirimichi, Millington, TennesseeGEO Certified™ April 2010

“Receiving the GEO Certified™ award, especially on the40th anniversary of Earth Day, was a very proud momentfor all of us associated with Mirimichi,” said entertainerJustin Timberlake, owner of Mirimichi.

“Sustainability is about more than what we can do at ourown golf course. It’s about taking a leadership role andencouraging other golf courses, and organizations of allkinds around the country and around the globe to emulateour commitment toward making a positive impact on theworld we live in.” (For more details on Justin Timberlake’sMirimichi, read the story on page 22).

This sentiment is echoed by GEO Chief Executive JonathanSmith: “What sets Mirimichi apart is their top-down commit-ment to tell people about what they are doing; to sharetheir experience in delivering sustainable golf not only with-in their own community but also with the rest of the industry.

“That desire to share knowledge and partner is the spirit oftrue environmentalism, and Mirimichi has it in abun-dance,” Smith added.

So what is the common denominator for these five golfbusinesses and their use of GEO programming to achievesustainability goals? Working through the GEOOnCourse™ program enables golf management teamseverywhere to make improvements appropriate for theirsite and member expectations. At the end of the process,an independent, GEO accredited sustainable golf expertvisits and verifies the work undertaken, creating a three-year continual improvement plan with targets to beachieved before re-certification three years later.

This very simple yet highly credible process culminates inthe GEO Certified™ award - the most comprehensive sus-tainability assurance in golf, benefiting the environment,local communities, and your golf business. BR

Members of the CMAA and their global affiliates can find aClub Management guide to GEO OnCourse™ and GEOCertified™ - The CMAA Sustainability Manual - freely availableat the Premier Club Services portal.

http://www.golfenvironment.org/clubs/brokensoundhttp://www.golfenvironment.org/clubs/jockeyclubkausaichauhttp://www.golfenvironment.org/clubs/machrihanishduneshttp://www.golfenvironment.org/clubs/moonpalacehttp://www.golfenvironment.org/clubs/mirimichi

Benjamin Warren is Communications Director, Golf EnvironmentOrganization. The Golf Environment Organization is an interna-tional non-profit dedicated to helping the global golf industry estab-lish leadership in environmental enhancement and corporate respon-sibility. Bringing clear insight, cutting edge guidance and golf’s mostconstructive, credible and comprehensive certifications, golfenviron-ment.org is a one-stop-shop for sustainable golf solutions.

GEO partners with governments, international environmentalNGOs, scientists and corporate and individual sponsors includ-ing The European Tour, The R&A, The European GolfAssociation, UNEP, WWF, and the Club Managers Associationsof Europe, America and China.

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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

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teams through a year-long dynamic process: “You might sayit’s an organic strategy,” she says of the living document andaction plans that have resulted.

Typical of the inclusive nature of the club, developing thegrand strategy and four concise goals and objectives hasmeant participation by members, staff, board members andleaders of club organizations.

The board established specific action plans to accomplishthose goals. General Manager Condon used the same processto align the activities of each operational department.

Condon and staff know that to strengthen one of the keyassets of the club – its family-friendly culture – fun programsmust be organized for all. Red Rocks offers a calendar ofevents packed with possibilities, such as seafood nights, poolparties, sweetheart dinners, live entertainment and dancing,along with creative child-care. There is a wine festival, icesculpture and green chili festival and other events open tothe community, including a monthly community leader-ship lunch that connects the club to the region.

Treasurer Raskasky points out that many new members aredual-income professional families with children. “They arelooking for something to do that is enjoyable and family-ori-

ented in their community. They are looking for a totallifestyle, not just another organization to join.”

Condon and his sales team are aggressively marketing thesustainability initiatives at Red Rocks Country Club, includ-ing Chef Robert’s creative culinary and gardening initiatives.

It is another way to distinguish the vibrant, creative andfriendly culture of the club from that of other, more tradi-tional ones. When working with prospective members, GMCondon finds conversations about the Culinary Garden andother sustainable practices develops a fun curiosity. “Thatleads to increased site visits, which lead to higher member-ship sales,” he explained.

The more Red Rocks Country Club can demonstrate itscultural differences, the more advantage it will have in anuncertain market. There is a bond between friends, familyand the land that nurtures members here.

The club’s vision statement declares,” Red Rocks CountryClub is a sought-after, private club committed to our uniquefriendliness and natural landscape.”

In the opinion of the leaders of Red Rocks Country Club,that vision is clear, and at the same time, solid as a rock. BR

Carol Green is a Red Rocks’ director who spent her career as aneditor with The Denver Post.

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use social media to the company’sadvantage. Others have hired socialmedia managers.

Whether your club creates a wholedepartment or just tasks marketingmanagers with the job, focusing onsocial media makes sense. Plus,although focused on marketing, socialmedia specialists are also in the bestposition to watch the club’s onlineback.

VENTING FRUSTRATIONS RISKFREE

Several companies have internalblogs, which provide a forum for staffto anonymously vent their frustra-tions, discuss ideas or ask questions.Some companies even require man-agers to review these blogs so thatthey can implement suggestions orbenefit from the constructive (if notvitriolic) criticism.

Providing a relief valve for anemployee’s complaints might go a long

way at preventing employees fromblowing their stack and embarrassingthe club or its members on theirFacebook page.

RESIST THE URGE TOOVERREACT

People have been “twitching” abouttheir workplaces since the first employ-ee went to work for the first employer.Keeping this in mind, clubs shouldresist the temptation to address everyunflattering post.

This is not to say that seriousinfractions shouldn’t be harshly dealtwith, especially when an employee’sonline chatter threatens business bycriticizing customers or divulgingsecrets.

Clubs should be wary, though, of theparanoia that results from scouring theInternet for negative comments andfiring every employee who makes aquestionable online decision. Reactingto every negative byte will surely smasha manager’s nerves to bits.

In addition, managers should keepin mind that the public is naturallysuspicious of what they find on theInternet. Although recognizing it as astellar information source, most peo-ple acknowledge that the Internet isfilled with misinformation and inac-curacies.

Certainly, the outrage and hurtfeelings that come when an employeeor member makes an unflatteringremark is understandable. A clubmight serve its interests best, howev-er, by keeping its powder dry and rec-ognizing that sticks and stones canbreak your bones, but e-words can(only sometimes) hurt you. BR

Joe Pittel is an attorney with SecrestWardle. He can be reached at jpit-tel@secrestwardle.com.

Written for Hospitality Financial andTechnology Professionals (HFTP). Learnmore at www.hftp.org.

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