Swinging toward sustainability: a sampling of eco-friendly practices used by golf courses in Colorado.

• Author: Baines, Gary
• Position: BETTER CORPORATE TOURNAMENTS

Applewood Golf Club, Golden

For the last 22 years, the facility has been run chemical-free--one of the few courses in the nation that can make that claim--because the Coors brewery didn't want to take any chances of contaminating the aquifer underneath the course. The fertilizers now used by Applewood are custom-blended. The course has 60 birdhouses on it, and among the birds that, live there year-around are bald eagles, hawks and owls. Ponds are kept algae-free. The course is certified by Audubon International.

Broadmoor Golf Club (three courses), Colorado Springs

All three Broadmoor courses are certified by Audubon International, with the Mountain Course being added in late 2009. In recent years, roughly 50 acres on the East and West Courses combined have been converted from highly maintained turf to native grasses, which require far less maintenance and water and enhance wildlife habitat. The Mountain Course, was redesigned several years ago, and now roughly half of the acreage consists of native areas. The Broadmoor uses localized moisture/temperature sensors, in conjunction with two on-site weather stations, to make the most efficient use of water. It also periodically conducts complete audits of the irrigation system.

CommonGround Golf Course, Aurora

As the only new 18-hole course to open in Colorado in 2009, CommonGround is seeking Aububon International certification. Material from the previous course's cart paths was ground up and reused, and old sprinkler heads and underground wire were recycled. Many trees were planted and others were transplanted, and the wildlife habitat has been expanded. The new course uses recycled rather than potable water. Plans are in the works to do a public-outreach program with schools in which youngsters would be brought to the course and taught about the local ecosystem and conservation efforts.

Haymaker Golf Course, Steamboat Springs

Certified a Bronze Signature Sanctuary course by Audubon International, which OK'd the environmental plans during and after construction of the course. The decision to go with the Audubon program from Day 1 was primarily politically motivated at first, as a city-owned course had to go to a vote of residents, and an AI affiliation demonstrated commitment to the environment. In 2009, Haymaker received honorable-mention status when Golf Inc. Green Awards were passed out. More than half of Haymakers acreage is covered by natural pastureland. The course is very selective with...