Zero Waste Golf San Luis Obispo’s Dairy Creek GC is attempting what
many environmentalists thought never possible for a golf course—becoming a zero-waste facility. The realization of the goal will make the course the fi rst
in the world to never need a trash dumpster. The concept describes an organization that recycles and reuses any product used at a course, eliminating trips to a landfi ll with waste. The elimination of solid and hazardous toxics and emissions and the effort toward making them reusable so they don’t add to already over-
crowded landfi lls results in less risk to the environment and lower overall costs. County Superintendent Josh Heptig instigated the effort
in applying zero-waste concepts to his daily operation. A composting area was created in the maintenance barn for food and green waste, while aluminum, paper and plastic are recycled. One of the challenges is working with vendors to only use recyclable materials. Composting provides a signifi cant amount of enriched soil for the course, holding off soil disease. The compost is used to brew an organic compost tea that is applied to
the golf course greens. A secondary goal of the initiative is to reduce or eliminate pesticides, inorganic fertilizers and electrical costs associated with water usage. “I was always interested in using our own compost and putting organic matter back on the course,” says Heptig. A fertigation system that needed an overhaul provided the impetus to secure two grants from the Morro Bay National Estuary Program (two county courses lie within the Estuary) and the assistance of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in evaluating soil structure.
WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE GOLF Looking for budget golf travel? Stay away from China. According to a
recent study, the world’s most populous nation has become one of the most expensive places to play golf. The rapidly evolving golf market—more than half of the country’s 300 courses have debuted since 2000—combined with an expanding economy to spark a passion for the game unheard of just a short time ago. Simple supply and demand economics allow golf courses to command green fees averaging north of $160 on a week- end and club memberships averag- ing more than $53,000 for initiation, with 10% of clubs charging initiation fees exceeding $100,000.
A massive population now invest-
ing more in leisure time makes the game’s prospects in China brighter than perhaps any other nation. Increased media exposure, events
such as the World Cup of Golf and a healthy economy that has fostered inter- est in corporate golf has given Chinese golf course operators every reason to feel optimistic.
But the high price of land and the government’s ban on golf course devel- opment on agricultural property will contain growth meaning a limited supply of golf will keep prices high in the near future.
WINTER 2012 /
NCGA.ORG / 21
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