The Club at Flying Horse earns Audubon certification

The Club at Flying Horse has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses. Mark Beitel, assistant superintendent, led the effort to obtain sanctuary designation on the property and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International. The Club at Flying Horse is the 38th golf course in Colorado and the 1014th in the world to receive the honor.

"The Club at Flying Horse has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Joellen Lampman, Associate Director of Environmental Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Lampman. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

“We are proud to a have finally achieved certified status in the Audubon program. We feel that everything that has been done on this property from the beginning has been with the goal of blending seamlessly into the surrounding environment," said Dan Hawkins, director of agronomy and facility operations. "Our environmentally sensitive areas and large native areas help us to maintain wildlife habitats and provide homes for a large variety of wildlife that can be seen and enjoyed by our members. We strive continuously to utilize an agronomic program that incorporates water conservation, integrated pest management and cultural programs that encourage a healthy stand of turf that can withstand disease and weed pressures while reducing chemical inputs. We look forward to maintaining our membership in this program long into the future.”

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program.