A sustainable message: Golf environmental experts meet in South Carolina

Jim Coker of R&R Products stands with propane-powered mowers about to be shipped to Stone Mountain (Ga.) GC.

Some of the golf industry’s most celebrated environmental experts gathered in Hilton Head, S.C., last month to be a part of the Sustainability in Golf/the Business of Green conference.

Hosted by Experience Green and its founder/executive director Teresa Wade, the conference kicked off with a Sustainability Symposium. The agenda featured innovative sessions collectively aimed at measuring sustainability, creating and refining case studies and engaging the community to share in the true value of golf and golf courses.

These cornerstone sessions were full of take-home programs and information. An example: in the last 10 years golf rounds on average are down 6.6 percent while fuel costs are up 108 percent. Jim Coker, director of propane applications with R&R Products, showed off not only a line of propane powered golf maintenance equipment, but flashed a noteworthy fact: propane is 30-percent cheaper than gasoline.

Other presenters included Josh Heptig, director of golf operations, San Luis Obispo; Dana Lonn, The Toro Co.; Walt Osborne, Syngenta; and Andy Staples, ASGCA, Staples Golf.
But perhaps the most impressive thing about the event was the over 40 commitment cards filled out by attendees outlining new programs that would be initiated when they returned to their respective properties.

For more information visit experiencegreen.org.

Photo: Anthony Williams