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HARRISON, N.Y. (March 22, 2007) - The Metropolitan
Golf Association Foundation is pleased to announce Trump National
Golf Club in
Bedminster, N.J., as the recipient of the first annual MGA Club
Environmental Award. The award honors an MGA member club that
has demonstrated environmental stewardship through golf course
maintenance, construction, education and research. The award
was presented at the 2007 MGA/USGA Green Chairmen Education
Series and Club Environmental Award Luncheon on Wednesday, March
21, at Willow Ridge Country Club in Harrison, N.Y.
Applications
from a number of MGA member clubs were submitted to the award
panel and Trump National GC - Bedminster came away
with the highest total score in the six categories under review:
water quality and quantity, education, outreach, Integrated
Pest Management, wildlife and other awards received.
“Along with our roster of outstanding
member clubs, and our rich traditions, the MGA is very proud
that many of our leading clubs
and their talented superintendents lead the way with innovative
programs and practices to enhance our environment,” said
MGA Assistant Executive Director/Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland.
Trump
National, represented at the seminar by director of grounds
Greg Nicoll, CGCS, has been an environmental leader among Met
Area clubs. Through the leadership of Donald J. Trump, Nicoll
has implemented an environmental strategy that has resulted
in the preservation of a dedicated 45 acre grassland bird habitat
on the property, as well as intensive erosion control and stream
stabilization management plan. The impacts of golf construction
and operations on this land have resulted in a significant environmental
net gain from the previous land use. Trump National has made
itself readily available to Bedminster Township officials by
way of monthly meetings to keep them up to date on the club’s
environmental monitoring activities.
The construction of an additional
18 holes at Trump National is underway and the club has successfully
integrated environmental
awareness into their golf course maintenance and construction
plans by maintaining more stringent standards than those required
by state and local regulations.
“All of the applicants were very qualified,” said
Matt Ceplo, superintendent at Rockland CC and president of the
Metropolitan
Golf Course Superintendents Association. “The superintendents
are grateful for the MGA’s recognition of area golf courses
and what we do for the environment.”
The panel of judges
was drawn from local superintendent’s
organizations as well as environmental leaders in the industry.
The panel included: Edgewood CC superintendent Paul Dotti; Matt
Ceplo of Rockland CC; Joe Alonzi of Westchester CC; Greg Stanley
of The Bridge; Larry Pakkala of Woodway CC; Joellen Zeh, Programs
Manager at the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs; and Dr.
Frank Rossi, professor of turfgrass science at Cornell University.
Two MGA representatives were also on the panel: Assistant Executive
Director/Tournament Director Gene Westmoreland and Arthur Weber,
a member of the MGA Green Committee and USGA Green Section Committee.
For
more information on the MGA Club Environmental Award please
contact Gene Westmoreland of the MGA via e-mail at gwestmore@mgagolf.org or by phone at (914) 347-4653.
Media Contacts: Bob Nielsen
bnielsen@mgagolf.org
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