PALM BEACH GARDENS, FLA.—PGA National Resort & Spa announced that it has been awarded the prestigious IAGTO Sustainable Golf Course of the Year Award 2016 for the Americas region. This highly valued award solidifies PGA National’s exceptional commitment to the three pillars of sustainable golf: nature, resources and people.
PGA National has long been focused on sustainability throughout their extensive 800 plus-acre resort and golf complex. Dedicated Sustainable Development Manager and LEED Green Associate, Kathy McGuire, works closely with all departments throughout the resort, including golf course maintenance and operations, and holds each area accountable for strict guidelines. “The most important aspect of being recognized for sustainability efforts is to show others what is possible and to encourage them to do the same,” McGuire says.
With its celebrated Champion Course, home of The Honda Classic and located alongside 12,000 acres of nationally-important wetland, PGA National has recognized the important role it has to play within this living landscape, along with its responsibilities to reduce its use of resources and enhance the benefits it can bring to its members, guests and the local community.
Some highlights of the club’s recent sustainability initiatives include: the conversion of turf grass species leading to 35 percent reduction in water use, 30 percent reduction in fungicide use and 20 percent reduction in overall fertility to the area; 100 percent of the site’s green waste is recycled and returned to the facility as mulch for organic fertilizer; $18,000 per year savings on electricity use due to installment of energy-efficient drives to irrigation pumps; and provision of free electric vehicle charging for guests and members.
As part of the partnership with Golf Environment Organization, IAGTO recognized environmental and social excellence at the 16th annual Awards ceremony this past October. The three awards, which represent the three geographical regions—Europe, Middle East and Africa, the Americas and Asia—reward and raise awareness of the tremendous work being done by many of IAGTO’s 800 golf courses and golf resorts around the world. The 2016 IAGTO Sustainability Awards were open to all GEO Certified clubs.
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