IntroductionThe Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) is administered by Audubon International (Troy, NY) and is a partnership with the United States Golf Association which recognizes sustainable golf course management practices. There are six categories of the ACSP certification (Figure 1). Currently, 13% of the estimated 15,000 golf courses in the U.S. have achieved some level of ACSP certification, while only 5% of U.S. golf courses have achieved certification in all six categories (1).

Wyatt Byrd1, David Kopsell1, Aslihan Spaulding1, Ann Marie VanDerZanden2, and Dean Kopsell3

1 Department of Agriculture, Illinois State University, Normal, IL; 2 Department of Horticulture, Iowa State University, Ames, IA; 3 Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN

Survey MethodologyA cross-sectional, self-administered online questionnaire developed in Qualtrics consisting of a mix of 37 closed- and open-ended questions was emailed to a random sample of 1,500 U.S. golf course superintendents obtained from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) over the winter of 2013-2014 (2,3,4). Survey questions and letter of consent were approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Illinois State University (protocol number 2013-0156) prior to dissemination. Data was analyzed using Chi-square and Cox multiple regression analysis. The survey had 263 responses representing superintendents in 46 U.S. states (Figure 2).

U.S. Non-collegiate Golf Course Superintendent’s Perception of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program

Survey Results• 28% of superintendents identified their golf course as having some level

of environmental stewardship certification, including ACSP certification. • 82% of superintendents identified environmental sustainability

as the main reason for achieving ACSP certification.• 50% of superintendents who are not ACSP-certified said they were

interested in pursuing ACSP certification. • Top reasons identified for not being certified included; (1) lack of budget;

(2) lack of benefit of certification; and (3) lack of time to devote to the certification process.

• Superintendents identified an average of 3 four- or two-year colleges near their course; 57% having agricultural, horticultural, or turfgrass programs.

• Although 34% of superintendents reported having students involved on their course, only 6% said student activities were educational.

• 85% of superintendents would favor student involvement in ACSP certification efforts.

Cited References(1) Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary

Program (ACSP) Guidelines. 2013. Audubon International, Troy, NY. http://www.auduboninternational.org

(2) Dillman, D.A., J.D. Smyth, and L.M. Christian. 2009. Internet, Mail, and Mixed Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method. 3rd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

(3) Hamilton, M.B. 2003. Online survey response rates and times: background and guidance for industry.http://www.supersurvey.com/papers/supersurvey_white_ paper_response_rates.pdf

(4) GCSAA. 2013. Compensation and Benefits Report. Golf Course Superintendents Association of America. http://www.gcsaa.org

ConclusionsInterest exists in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program at U.S. golf courses. There is also interest in student assistance from superintendents in the ACSP certification process. While cost was the biggest reason for not being certified, it was reported by superintendents at ACSP-certified courses that time and labor involved in certification are actually the most difficult obstacles to overcome.

AcknowledgementsThis research will partially fulfilled the requirements of an M.S. degree for Wyatt Byrd. The authors would like to thank Laura Provost, PGA Professional at Weibring Golf Club; Mike Rayman, former Superintendent at Weibring Golf Club; and Missy Nergard, Director of the Office of Sustainability at Illinois State University for their support and help in completing this project.

Figure 1. Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Certification Categories (1).

Table 1. Number of superintendents who rated each ACSP Certification category as either; very easy, easy, neutral, difficult or very difficult to achieve on their course.

ACSP Category Very Easy Easy Neutral Difficult VeryDifficult

NoCertification

Environmental Planning 1 13 27 7 0 1

Wildlife and Habitat Management 1 16 23 5 0 3

Chemical Use Reduction and Safety

0 14 22 9 1 2

Water Conservation 5 14 20 5 1 3

Water QualityManagement 2 14 19 8 3 2

Outreach and Education 1 5 25 11 4 3

There were a total of 49 superintendents with either partial or full certification that responded to this question.

Outreach & Education

Water Quality Management

Water Conservation

Chemical Use Reduction & Safety

Wildlife & Habitat Management

Environmental Planning

0 5 10 15 20

Alabama (2)

Alaska (0)

Arizona (8)

Arkansas (1)

California (10)

Colorado (12)

Connecticut (5)

Delware (2)

Florida (19)

Georgia (10)

Hawaii (1)

Idaho (5)

Illinois (15)

Indiana (7)

Iowa (4)

Kansas (3)

Kentucky (2)

Louisana (1)

Maine (0)

Maryland (6)

Massachusetts (9)

Michigan (8)

Minnesota (10)

Mississippi (2)

Missouri (7)

Montana (1)

Nebraska (5)

Nevada (4)

New Hampshire (0)

New Jersey (5)

New Mexico (3)

New York (9)

North Carolina (18)

North Dakota (1)

Ohio (7)

Oklahoma (2)

Oregon (2)

Pennsylvania (13)

Rhode Island (0)

South Carolina (4)

South Dakota (2)

Tennessee (2)

Texas (10)

Utah (2)

Vermont (5)

Virginia (8)

Washington (2)

West Virginia (1)

Wisconsin (5)

Wyoming (1)

Figure 2. Number of GCSAA superintendent survey responses by U.S. state. Figure 3. ACSP certification status of U.S. non-collegiate golf courses.

green section regional map

Fully Certified (15%)

PartiallyCertified (4%)

In Process of Certification (9%)

NotCertified (72%)