The WMU Green Golf Initiative is a class of students in the Environmental Studies program at Western Michigan University. The Winter 2004 semester, we researched the environmental effects of traditional golf courses and solutions to the problem. Today, many golf courses are trying to make their grounds a little more sustainable.
We administered a survey to golf course managers in the Kalamazoo, Michigan
area to elicit their responses on various environmental topics affecting golf
courses today. We also administered a survey to golf course customers to
see if there is an interest in a more sustainable golfing experience.
 | To enhance local communities ecologically and economically. |
| To develop environmentally responsible golf courses that are economically viable. |
| To offer and protect habitat for wildlife and plant species. |
| To recognize that every golf course must be developed and managed with consideration for the unique conditions of the ecosystem of which it is a part. |
| To provide important greenspace benefits. |
| To use natural resources efficiently. |
| To respect adjacent land use when planning, constructing, maintaining and operating golf courses. |
| To create desirable playing conditions through practices that preserve environmental quality. |
| To support ongoing research to scientifically establish new and better ways to develop and manage golf courses in harmony with the environment. |
| To document outstanding development and management practices to promote more widespread implementation of environmentally sound golf |
| To educate golfers and potential developers about the principles of environmental responsibility and to promote the understanding that environmentally sound golf courses are quality golf courses. |
(Principles taken from www.gcsaa.org)
WMU Green Golf Initiative
Western Michigan University