How many more Eco golf groups can we have?

[Mike_Young]

I have grown tired of all of the eco-hype for golf courses.  Everything they tell one to do can be done by one's self.  It's no different than many of the associations where all we are doing is supporting association executives.  This new one   http://www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com/2013/02/ecogolfer-league-aims-to-raise-sustainability-awareness/    is another play on the word audubon.   So many people think all Audubon associations and societies are the same one we heard of for years that had to do with birds and they are not.  There are so many groups with no skin in the game trying to make a living off of golf courses with the game in the shape it is in now.  The golf courses aere in a race to the bottom with green fee pricing while the guy that bitches about sa green fee will pay $25 for Eco bag tag or send the USGA $25 bucks for a bag tag....stop it and allow your local course to up his green fee about $5 bucks if you really care about the game.
Oh..also Tim Liddy places a good post on FB regarding David Hueber's PHD dissertation on the golf industry (200 pages)  or read the summary by Steve Eubanks in global Golf  http://digitalmag.globalgolfpost.com/20130218/20130218/0/0#&pageSet=11&page=0

Now back to it...screw the eco groups...I've done several "Audubon sanctuaries and "certified Audubon whatevers"  A good supt is going to to act in their manner anyway...

[Eric Strulowitz]

I have grown tired of all of the eco-hype for golf courses.  Everything they tell one to do can be done by one's self.  It's no different than many of the associations where all we are doing is supporting association executives.  This new one   http://www.asiapacificgolfgroup.com/2013/02/ecogolfer-league-aims-to-raise-sustainability-awareness/    is another play on the word audubon.   So many people think all Audubon associations and societies are the same one we heard of for years that had to do with birds and they are not.  There are so many groups with no skin in the game trying to make a living off of golf courses with the game in the shape it is in now.  The golf courses aere in a race to the bottom with green fee pricing while the guy that bitches about sa green fee will pay $25 for Eco bag tag or send the USGA $25 bucks for a bag tag....stop it and allow your local course to up his green fee about $5 bucks if you really care about the game.
Oh..also Tim Liddy places a good post on FB regarding David Hueber's PHD dissertation on the golf industry (200 pages)  or read the summary by Steve Eubanks in global Golf  http://digitalmag.globalgolfpost.com/20130218/20130218/0/0#&pageSet=11&page=0

Now back to it...screw the eco groups...I've done several "Audubon sanctuaries and "certified Audubon whatevers"  A good supt is going to to act in their

Hi Mike

I have played a few courses that were one ofthese so-called "sanctuaries" and I found that wildlife and splendor to be no better or worse than non-designated venues.  This green thing, is all a big hoax.  It is being exploited in many casies, and it is a shame because there are many positive things about the eco-green movement, but like anything else greed sets in

That Hueber article you cited, yes it is right on.  I think you are one person in the industry that has definatelyt "got it".  I have played almost every one of your courses in Georgia, and they are fun.  If you play a Mike Young course and had a lousy time, than there is clearly something wrong with you.  You make great use of the land, the courses are playable for all skill levels.  The facilities are highly functional, but it is clear you are not competing with the Taj Mahal.  I don't ever recall seeing a $12 hot dog at any Mike Young design.  I played Marietta City Club last year, I was invited to play with a very high profile MD, and I was amazed he picked City Club, becasue we could have played anywhere.  Well, what you did with that land was amazing.  We had a blast.  I can say the same for every one of your courses Wolf Creek, The Fields at Lagrange,  Catecchee, Southern Hills, etc they never dissapoint.  I know that one course near Lake Oconnee had some problems, but it was not for price or quality of the desgin, I hope it opens again some day.  We need more rational designs and rational facilities to accompany those designs.  You clearly understand that, I think there are others than understand that, but the state of our game shows that quite a number do not. Can you imagine if these same folks mananged our large corporations or were politicians in Washington, you think things are bad now???  The article bears out the reality and gravity of the situation, thanks for sharing.  And can't wait to play Catechee as soon as the weather changes, Mike you just blew my socks off with that place.

As a PS, when is your Nica course going to have 18 holes open?.  A trip in the works, no hurray, but want to play your venue, that other new venue Mukul that has opened, and spend a few days Tarpon fishing.  Can't wait Mike, get that course done buddy!

[Bill_McBride]

Eric, my wife and I and another spent four nights at Hacienda Pinella on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  Mike built a really fun course there and it's fun to stay on the resort property.   If you don't want to wait for Nicaragua, check out Hacienda Pinella. 

[Eric Strulowitz]

Eric, my wife and I and another spent four nights at Hacienda Pinella on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.  Mike built a really fun course there and it's fun to stay on the resort property.   If you don't want to wait for Nicaragua, check out Hacienda Pinella. 

Thanks Bill.   I am thinking of combining a Costa Rica/Nica trip, since they are so close together. I am no hurray, I want to play all the top courses in Nica especially , and see some of the  of the lovely colonial type cities in between, especially Grenada.   The coutnry is so small, and just a handful of decent golf, it would make for a wonderful 10 day adventure. 

[Blake Conant]

I'm anxious to see how the SITES initiative functions.  It's a rating system designed specifically for landscapes.  The rating system comes out mid-2013 and I wonder if/how it will involve golf development.  Something landscape architects are buzzing about. 

Ultimately, it's going to be hard for these eco-consulting firms to work with golf architects on the front end of routing and laying out the course.  Will golf course architect's listen?  Some may.  Not all of them.

One question I did have if we ignore all the eco groups and leave the sustainability to the owner/manage/super:  can we trust them to do the right thing on their own volition? 

[Mike_Young]

One question I did have if we ignore all the eco groups and leave the sustainability to the owner/manage/super:  can we trust them to do the right thing on their own volition? 

Blake,
YES.  I think as you are around this longer you will see that it is all about creating work for the eco-association executive.  A good supt knows how to do what they are spouting. 
Call me when you have time...I got something you might want to do.
Mike

[Jon Wiggett]

One question I did have if we ignore all the eco groups and leave the sustainability to the owner/manage/super:  can we trust them to do the right thing on their own volition? 

Blake,
YES.  I think as you are around this longer you will see that it is all about creating work for the eco-association executive.  A good supt knows how to do what they are spouting. 
Call me when you have time...I got something you might want to do.
Mike

Mike,

Although I agree wholeheartedly with you in regards to the number of such bodies and their purpose, I do think you are wide of the mark thinking that most supt have that much control over what happens at a club. I do not believe that clubs will act any more ethically than your average investment banker if they are not restricted through finances and regulation.

Jon

[Mike_Young]

JON,
I didn't say the supt had control I said he knew what to do.  I'm not talking abput state or federal environmental agencies.  I'm speaking of all the self proclaimed groups that spring up and "mislead" via names such as audubon.  you see none of these groups have enforcement abllity and all they want is for you to pay fees to keep them in existence.  And we all do it. 
I was so frustrated last week when I saw that John Deere had given a million dollars to First Tee.  www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/view/view_pubnews.asp?NS...   In my mind that is the main purpose of First Tee...a feel good group for corporate America that provides them press and the unknowing think it is a great thing to do. 
Cheers.