The Business Value of the Audubon Signature Program

The Business Value of the Audubon Signature Program Place Alternating Slideshow Photo Here

Introduction Designing, building, and managing a new golf course in a way that protects land, water, wildlife, and natural resources can also lead to significant economic benefits. What follows are examples, member quotes, and survey results that highlight the business value of building a golf course right from the start through the Audubon Signature Programs.

Cateechee Golf Club, GA Saves 20% in electric costs and 30% in overall operating costs compared to a traditionally built and managed golf course. Likewise, they handle more than 639 million gallons of effluent water annually—allowing the City of Hartwell to abandon its practice of discharging effluent water into a local stream.

PGA Golf Club, FL Saves 25% in overall operating costs because of the state of the art equipment and practices promoted by the Signature Program. Conserves 100 million gallons of Florida’s water supply by collecting runoff in 80 acres of ponds created for water storage and wildlife habitat.

Bonita Bay East, FL Reduced over 87, 000 square feet of turfgrass resulting in the estimated savings of $56, 000 annually as a result of reduced maintenance, labor, irrigation, fertilizers, etc. Released 1, 300 carp in their lakes saving approximately $10, 000 annually with the decrease in labor and control products needed to maintain the lakes.

Sand Ridge Golf Club, OH Transformed 22 acres of fairway into native plant/open field roughs that are now seasonally mowed—cost savings are estimated to be $22, 000 per year. Likewise, converted 25 acres of previously maintained primary rough to open field meadow zones. Labor costs have been reduced by $5, 000 per year—not including the energy and equipment maintenance costs.

What Signature Members Say… “There is no doubt that the [Signature] program measurably protects, restores, and enhances natural resources, and reduces waste, as well as promotes the more efficient use of one or more natural resources. All this is done while being sensitive to overall environmental community concerns. ” - Robert S. Krause, VP for Institute Advancement at Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

What Signature Members Say… “Indian River Club was developed under the premise that ‘good environmental sense makes good economic sense. ’ Our members and residents take a great deal of pride in Indian River’s participation in the Audubon Signature Program. They consider our status as a Signature Sanctuary as a measure of quality of the club and our community. ” - Robert Swift, Managing Partner, Indian River Club, Vero Beach, FL

What Signature Members Say… “Combining wildlife preservation and development is not only the right thing to do, but it makes good business sense. Long-term operating costs can be significantly reduced while providing valuable environmental benefits to the community. It is a business-environmental partnership that serves everyone. ” - Jim L. Awtrey, Chief Executive Officer, PGA of America, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

What Signature Members Say… “This achievement and recognition by Audubon International is only the first in working with the environment. This program not only provides golfers with a more eye pleasing golf course but has a side effect of creating a positive financial impact on the budget. ” -David Gourlay, B. Sc. , CGCS, GM, Colbert Hills

What Signature Members Say… “The Signature Program promotes the merger between the free-enterprise system and productive environmental management. A healthy, wellmaintained golf course can be cost efficient by reducing pesticides and conserving water, and in the process becomes vital habitat for plants, wildlife, and people. ” - Tim Hiers, CGCS, Golf Course Manager, The Old Collier Club, Naples, FL

What Signature Members Say… “As we move into the 21 st Century, the principles and concepts of sustainable development need to be more clearly understood by the public and the media. Audubon International’s Signature Program does a great job promoting the concept that the environment can and should be able to coexist with a well conceived and economically-viable golf development. ” - George Kelley, Owner & Golf Course Architect, Stevinson Ranch Golf Club, Stevinson, CA

What Signature Members Say… “Bonita Bay Properties, Inc. is dedicated to an ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship, preservation, and habitat enhancement. Environmental commitment is the foundation of Bonita Bay’s approach to managing its properties. The natural partnership with Audubon International exemplifies the productive relationship between conserving the environmental beauty of the property and obtaining the economic benefits of reduced maintenance costs. ” - Jim Schilling, Golf Course Superintendent, Bonita Bay Golf Club East, Naples, FL

What Signature Members Say… “The concepts incorporated in this program will absolutely pay for the cost of what we’re doing over five to ten years…We’ll have better-managed water and irrigation systems and use less chemicals. ” – Bill Fiveash, East West Partners, Project Manager, Old Greenwood Golf Course, CA

Survey Says… Audubon International conducted a survey of Audubon Signature Program members on the business value of program participation. The following was revealed: • 90% of respondents reported that they believed annual maintenance and operations costs for their facility were either “lower than” or the “same as” the costs of an equivalent, non-Signature member golf course. • Of that, 43% of respondents felt that their operations and maintenance costs were actually lower due to their participation in the Audubon Signature Program.

Survey Says (continued)… More results: • 96% view their participation in the Signature Program as “a good business decision. ” • 63% of respondents stated that participation in the Signature Program has or will save money, as compared to a course designed, constructed, and managed without Audubon International assistance. • Finally, 90% believe the “Certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary” status has, or will have, value in marketing and promotional efforts for their golf course.

The Bottom Line Becoming a Certified Audubon Signature Sanctuary provides tangible recognition that a property has been developed and is being managed according to the highest environmental standards. Owners and managers of Certified Audubon Signature Sanctuaries gain local, national, and international recognition for their voluntary leadership in environmental stewardship. In addition, a majority of members find that in achieving certification they have learned and put into practice more cost-effective ways to develop and manage their properties, thus saving money as well as natural resources. © Audubon International 2004