The perfect grass, the perfect hole and the perfect fairway are not just God’s gift to man; they are also designed by creative minds, such as Mike Riley. Riley designs golf courses and has been in the industry for more than 28 years. There are many factors that go into the design of a golf course, and he says that all of the projects he has worked on have eco-friendly aspects.
One way in which courses are enhancing their sustainability is by having waterways with buffers that remain intact and require hand clearing. According to the article, “Buffer Strip Basics for Golf Courses,” in GCM, a Golf Course Superintendents Association of America publication, buffers are vegetated areas designed to lessen the impact of human activities on the environment. Usually adjacent to a body of water, buffers provide a wildlife habitat and reduce or prevent erosion and water pollution.
An increasingly popular design is the establishment of native areas around the tee grounds and in areas considered out-of-play. This decision reduces the necessity of water and maintenance.
Another eco-trick is creating wetland-type areas to detain drainage runoff until it reaches a certain level. Once that level is reached, it is piped to the waterway and creates a habitat for all types of various wildlife.
Eco-designs exist. Golf courses are changing. Habitats are being protected. Designing a golf course encompasses more than evaluating the length, difficulty, size, or even water hazards. It is a puzzle, a riddle -- an eco-riddle.
By: Jourdana Passaro
Photos courtesy of Mark Hoban
