Department of Environmental Management Recognizes Five Rhode Island Courses

Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit has recognized five Rhode Island golf courses for their commitment to green environmental practices. The five golf courses all participated in the Rhode Island Golf Course Green Certification program and were the first courses to be awarded certification. The honorees include: Meadow Brook Golf Course; Alpine Country Club; Shelter Harbor Golf Club; Sakonnet Golf Club; and Point Judith Country Club.

The self-certification program, which began in 2010, is designed to reduce environmental impacts from water use, energy consumption, air emissions and more. The program is jointly sponsored by DEM, the Coastal Resources Management Council and the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. The three organizations are collaborating to keep Rhode Island’s land, air and water resources healthy, while cutting operating expenses and increasing revenue.

“DEM is very pleased to be working hand in hand with Rhode Island’s golf superintendents to help the environment,” Coit said. “Employing sustainable practices in their operations can reduce a facility’s environmental impact and its costs.”

“The Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association is very excited to have helped develop and promote the green golf initiative with DEM and the Coastal Resources Management Council,” said John LeClair, CGCS, past president of the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. “Since the beginning of golf the environment has always been important to those managing courses and that has not changed.”