EAST WILLISTON, N.Y. (March 27, 2008) - The Metropolitan Golf Association Foundation is pleased to announce Sebonack Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y., as the recipient of the second 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 2008 MGA/USGA Green Chairmen Education Series and Club Environmental Award Luncheon on Thursday, March 27, at Wheatley Hills Golf Club in East Williston, N.Y.

Applications from a number of MGA member clubs were submitted to the award panel. The panel looked at a variety of factors including water quality, education, outreach, Integrated Pest Management, wildlife, and other awards received, and Sebonack came away the clear winner.

 

“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 Senior Director, Rules and Competitions/Assistant Executive Director, Gene Westmoreland.

Sebonack, represented at the seminar by project manager Mark Hissey, superintendent Garret Bodington, and general manager Troy Albert, has been an environmental leader among Met Area clubs. The club began construction in 2001 and approached the project in the most environmentally conscious way possible. Hissey’s plan ensured that construction had a minimal negative impact on the surrounding area by generating its own compost site and installing custom-built green liners to capture any run-off into a dedicated irrigation pond. Club officials and staff also traveled to projects in California, Florida and New England to observe innovative practices used by other clubs. All of the extra effort paid off, as the course was open for play just four years after construction began.

In his impassioned remarks to the more than 100 green chairs, superintendents, general managers, and golf professionals in attendance, Mr. Hissey stressed the need to protect the environment and urged his colleagues in the golf industry to spread the word.

“The golf community’s record on the environment is one of innovation, care and success. We can hold our heads high and know that we do the best work for the environment,” said Hissey. “Society demands that we protect the environment and this world will be a very different place 20 years from now. Our industry has a head start and we’ll lead society to where it needs to be.”

Mr. Hissey also praised golf course superintendent Garret Bodington and owner/developer Michael Pascucci for their forward thinking roles in setting the environmental standards that the club was built under and that it follows today.

The panel of judges was drawn from local superintendent 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: Gene Westmoreland and Arthur Weber, a member of the MGA Green Committee and USGA Green Section Committee.

The 2008 MGA/USGA Green Chairmen Education Series is part of a month-long program of educational forums that are designed to educate club leaders and the golfing public about a wide range of issues affecting Met Area clubs and golfers. Topics include the Rules of Golf, handicapping procedures, new technology and MGA and MGA Foundation services and programs. For more information on the Green Chairmen seminar and 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.