Awarded entry in Golf Magazine’s 2012 Eco-friendly Green Hall of Fame are three iconic American golf resorts:
- The Resort at Pelican Hill in Southern California
- Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon
- Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, VA
Chosen from many top notch candidates, these three pay exceptional attention to resource conservation and protection, water management, wildlife habitat and restoration, and other on-going eco-programs.
On 504 acres above the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill saves more than 50 million gallons of water a year, while protecting and restoring coastal sage scrub and other indigenous flora. 1.2 million gallons of rain and runoff water is captured and held, and the sprinkler system monitors temperature, humidity and other factors to determine watering needs. Reclaimed water is used on the golf courses and landscaping, which is common, these days, on many, if not most, golf courses.
More here about The Resort at Pelican Hill.
A unique 13-hole, par-3 track adjacent to the four Scottish links-style courses that have made Bandon Dunes Golf Resort world famous, the new Bandon Preserve Golf Course (to open May 2012), is a Coore-Crenshaw design. Net proceeds from Preserve will benefit The Wild Rivers Coast Alliance, which supports projects that protect lands and waters of The South Coast of Oregon. The Preserve will also protect and preserve the Silvery Phacelia, an endangered plant species.
Four-diamond-rated Kingsmill Resort & Spa has dedicated 40% of its 2,900 acres overlooking the James River to eco‐friendly initiatives. The Woods, River and Plantation courses are each Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries, wherein the habitatsof bald eagles, hawks, and other endangered birds are protected. Rain water and irrigation runoff is funneled from parking lots, roadways and golf courses into irrigation ponds, from where it is used to water the golf courses and landscaping; and Kingsmill’s marina landscaping is fertilizer- and pesticide-free. Each year, the resort recycles nearly 35 tons of aluminum, 12 tons of cardboard, 4 tons of cooking oil, and 1.25 tons of paper.
More here about Kingsmill Resort.
Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel here and writes about culture and eco-travel at DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.
I think the new Streamsong Resort will likely be on this list next year. The folks building it (The Mosaic Company) seems truly concerned about reclaiming their lands. If you haven't seen their web site yet, you should pay a visit.
Posted by: Suzi Sherri | August 07, 2012 at 01:54 PM