Mark Hoban’s innovative and passionate pursuit of new approaches to golf course maintenance has earned him an Environmental Leader in Golf award from the Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation (GGEF). As certified golf course superintendent at Rivermont Golf and Country Club in John’s Creek, Hoban’s organic maintenance philosophy significantly reduces the use of conventional inputs, namely water, fertilizer, pesticides and mowing. Hoban says his methods minimize environmental impacts while simultaneously saving money and labor that he can redirect to other aspects of the golf course.
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The open or non-golf category of the annual awards went to State Representative Tom McCall (R) from Elberton, GA for his work on a statewide water plan and drought regulations. “Rep. McCall has always been a voice of reason on environmental issues and has fought to protect the rights of property owners while also enhancing and preserving Georgia’s precious natural resources,” said GGEF chairman Harold Franklin, from Fields Ferry Golf Club in Calhoun, Ga.
Hoban, a past president of the Georgia GCSA and the association’s Superintendent of the Year in 2002, has been described as a “mad scientist” by colleagues in the profession, including Richard Staughton, CGCS from Towne Lake Hills Golf Club in Woodstock, Ga., who is GGEF vice chairman.
“Mark has long been an advocate for ‘less pesticides is better,’” Staughton said. “His yearly agronomic plans have been aimed at maintaining his turf with more natural inputs and applying the minimum number of pesticide applications possible. He actually accomplishes just that.”
Hoban’s multi-faceted approach embraces the growing trend towards reducing the amount of maintained acreage, promoting native grasses and irrigating with recycled water. Less common is his philosophy of “feeding the soil rather than the plant.” To this end he composts clubhouse waste for a mini-worm farm that generates microbes and a compost tea that he sprays on the golf course. Hoban also integrates worm-castings and carbon into his aerification program.
“Overall, the methods send an important but understated message about how beneficial golf courses are in urban setting environments, bringing in wildlife diversity and habitats into the golfing experience,” Hoban said. “We have been able to take 20-plus acres and convert it into native grasses, which we harvest seed from and expand on each year. These are a spectacular accent and frame to the golf holes – and so much more than a ‘brown in the winter, green in the summer look.’ Again, the native grasses reduce inputs and bring in birds, bees and butterflies.”
Hoban has also introduced wildflower plantings to further promote native bee populations and most recently Rivermont added a monarch butterfly sanctuary.
“Mark and his mad scientist imagination with home-grown microbes may be onto something that could help all golf course superintendents and environment in Georgia,” Staughton said.
McCall has served in the Georgia House of Representatives since 1994 and chairman of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, the Transportation Committee and the Game, Fish and Parks Committee. GGEF chairman Harold Franklin said, “Rep. McCall has been a leader in the House and for the state of Georgia on numerous environmental issues including the development and implementation of a statewide water plan for Georgia and the passage of drought rules that have balanced the needs of business with the environment during difficult times. He has also led the way on legislation that seeks to insure Georgia has adequate water supplies for the future.”
The Environmental Leader of the Year awards further reaffirm and highlight the Georgia golf industry’s commitment to the environment. The superintendent category of the awards recognizes excellence in overall course management excellence in resource conservation, water quality management, integrated pest management, wildlife and habitat management, and education and outreach. Additionally, those categories will be judged on sustainability, influence, originality and the use of technology.
The award in the open division recognizes a commitment to environmental stewardship of someone outside the game. It is designed to help golf reach out and build bridges beyond the industry.
As the philanthropic organization of the Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association, The Georgia Golf Environmental Foundation, Inc. (GGEF) relies upon the support of clubs, many individuals and organizations to fund programs and projects that help golf courses fulfill the environmental, recreational and economic needs of their communities.