Golf Course

Golf courses are often located on or near waterways and can have a big impact on water quality because of the quantities of pesticides and fertilisers they use. American studies showed that golf course superintendents suffer higher rates of cancer because of exposure to pesticides. The second global anti-golf movement convention was held in 1994 and overseas, golf courses were becoming the target of environmental groups. Even the major chemical companies have put out brochures about turf stewardship. A golf course can use one million litres of water a day!

Golf course management in the Manly Lagoon catchment was an early management priority because there are four courses in this tiny modified catchment – 90% of its wetlands have been filled for golfcourses and playing fields. In 1996, the Manly Environment Centre (MEC) formed a taskforce including councils, golf course management, students and staff from the University of New South Wales and a legal adviser. A unique resource for Best Environmental Management Systems was produced, golf course superintendents were taken on tours, and a team of thirty university students researched the issues further.

The MEC’s unique collection of golf course research both local, national and international was used by the NSW Environmental Protection Authority to produce their 'Improving the Environmental Management of New South Wales Golf Courses'. These include best environmental practice for golf course manuals, videos from the famous Audobon Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, hundreds of case studies from Australia Turfgrass magazines and loads of press cuttings.

Golf Courses Resources:

Project Golf Courses (PDF)