Spurious list? Right now, I just view this as an article and they took courses they knew of to write about. I am also sure there are hundreds of courses that could claim "we do that, too!".
Given Links real estate slant, and the current interest in green communities, its a natural fit. If Links keeps this list up as "their" list, in a few years there will be points criteria, panelists, training seminars for the panelists, etc.
It's a good point. I doubt Links has the resources or panel to evaluate all 16,000 golf courses. I know the Resort at Squaw Creek in Lake Tahoe use no pesticides or chemicals on their golf course.
Here are the facts from their web site.
Property Initiatives
Resort at Squaw Creek, in keeping with Destination Hotels & Resorts Destination Earth environmental stewardship program, and to best serve the sensitive natural environment in which we operate, has implemented the following “green” measures:
Energy efficient guest room protocol for check in: only one light and radio on upon check-in.
All guest room lights are energy efficient CFLs or LEDs.
Facial tissue with a minimum 30% post consumer recycled content utilized.
Low flow aerators installed in all guest rooms (excluding primary kitchen faucet).
Provide permanent/reusable hangers in guest rooms (i.e. wood).
Washable (reusable) mugs and glasses available in guest rooms.
Linen conservation program.
Towel conservation program.
Retired towels and linens to converted to rags or donate to charity.
Retired bedspreads and other soft goods donated to charity.
Keep blinds and drapes closed in guest rooms during summer periods.
Use eco-friendly all purpose cleaning product for guest rooms.
Lights in guest room hallways are energy efficient - CFLs, T-8s, T-5s or LEDs.
Leak detection and repair program implemented for guest rooms.
Low flow aerators placed on all public restroom faucets to save water.
All spa faucets have low flow aerators.
All business center computers set to a sleep mode default.
Recycle all toner cartridges in administrative offices and Business Center.
Offer envelopes only by request for guest check-out invoices.
Hotel collateral materials are printed on recycled content paper with soy ink.
Pesticide and chemical free golf course (Audubon certified for environmental stewardship).
Recycling of uniform and linen coat hangers.
Computer shut down policy implemented for all departments.
All administration computers set to a sleep mode default.
Lights in back of house/administration are energy efficient - CFLs, T-8s, T-5s or LEDs. (In progress.)
All lights in fitness center are energy efficient lighting.
Reusable/washable mugs and glasses provided for employees.
Reusable/washable cutlery provided to employees in break room.
Eliminated use of all Styrofoam products.
All restaurant freezer doors/curtains to be in perfect working order.
All hazardous materials stored in a locked cabinet.
Comprehensive white/copy paper and newspaper recycling programs established in back of house areas.
Waste company contacted every six months for formal review on recycling options.
Recycle all toner cartridges in back-of-house.
Recycle bins utilized throughout property.
Use manual double-sided printing for print jobs whenever possible.
Centralized copier(s)/printer(s) set to print double-sided as the default setting.
In business center, copy paper with EPA minimum of 30% post consumer recycled content is utilized.
Every three months at least one new eco-friendly office product is purchased.
Motion sensors for lighting installed in all back-of-house storage areas, hallways and passages.
Motion sensors or timers installed in all guest room floor hallway storage areas.
Exit lights are LED
TV turnoff procedure implemented in fitness center to ensure TVs are off when not in use.
Policy in place to confirm meeting room lights are shut down when not in use.
Provide water in pitchers for banquet service.
Eco-Friendly Golf Courses
The golf courses at Sunriver (Crosswater Golf Club), Resort at Squaw Creek, and Stowe Mountain Lodge (Stowe Mountain Club) have all Signature Sanctuary Certification from Audubon International, a non-profit environmental organization headquartered in New York State. This certification recognizes that the golf course has been successfully designed, constructed, and managed with a comprehensive approach to environmental protection.