Golf Courses Bettering Environment Measures

Golf courses in Nova Scotia will be preparing an environmental management systems manual, it was announced today.

This self-assessment manual, developed jointly by the Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association (AGSA) and the provincial Department of Environment and Labour, will cover topics such as water use, conservation, pesticide use, and protection of wildlife and naturalized areas.

"We''re pleased to support the golf-course superintendents of our region in their voluntary effort to better manage the environmental issues they encounter in their daily work," said Environment and Labour Minister David Morse.

Material covered in the manual will include "best practices" from golf courses around the world and applicable government regulations. The manual will recognize that every golf course is unique, and that what works at one location may not work at another.

"Protecting our natural environment is a top priority for golf- course superintendents," said Tom Forsythe, president of the AGSA and golf course manager of Highlands Links in Ingonish. "This manual will be an important tool in helping us to improve our environmental stewardship."

The manual will be available to all golf-course superintendents in Atlantic Canada. Each chapter will look at a specific issue and provide superintendents with guidelines to judge their own performance, recommending methods of improvement.

The final version is scheduled to be available to superintendents by summer 2002.

The AGSA is a professional association for golf-course superintendents in Atlantic Canada. It is dedicated to promoting the exchange of scientific and practical knowledge related to the care of golf courses.