Rockland's Ceplo to host Green Links

Matthew J. Ceplo, CGCS at Rockland Country Club in Sparkill, N.Y., will host Green Links, Highlights from EDGE, in 2010.

Green Links is a monthly feature on The Environmental Institute for Golf's Web site, www.eifg.org. It highlights case studies from EDGE, golf's environmental resource.

The Institute, the philanthropic organization of the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, offers EDGE as a comprehensive location for information on golf and the environment that in addition to case studies, features relevant best management practices and links to environmental resources. EDGE is supported in part by a grant from The Toro Co. Giving Program, and provides critical information in a variety of areas, including water management; integrated plant management; wildlife management; golf course siting, design and construction; and energy and waste management.

Ceplo will take over hosting duties in January and continue through the end of the year. As host, he will provide additional insight and information about the featured case study.

"I look forward to the opportunity to host Green Links and help highlight some of the great environmental stewards in our golf community," Ceplo said. "Anthony Williams will leave big shoes to fill, but it should be fun to build upon what he and those who have hosted Green Links before him have started. As we continue to add more case studies in EDGE, it is becoming a favorite bookmark for those of us interested in furthering their knowledge about golf and the environment."

Ceplo is a 24-year GCSAA member who has been a GCSAA certified golf course superintendent since 1994. He has been at Rockland since 1995. A member of the Metropolitan GCSA Board of Directors, Ceplo served as president in 2008 and was a catalyst in the creation of the chapter's Environmental Leaders in Golf Award. He also serves on the Tri-State Research Foundation. Ceplo received a distinguished service award for environmental stewardship in 2007 from Rockland County (N.Y.).

Rockland Country Club is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary and Ceplo is working with other Rockland County golf facilities to earn Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary certification as well. He has guided several environmental projects at Rockland, including the conversion of more than 15 acres of out-of-play rough to wildflowers and tall grass areas. Ceplo has involved local Boy and Girl Scout groups to assist with some of the planting projects, including increased shoreline vegetation to establish buffer areas and protect surface water. He constructed a strategically located wetland at Rockland that enhanced many elements of the environment and also helped foster faster play. Additionally, Ceplo and his staff have built more than 50 bird boxes for purple martins, osprey, wood duck, bluebirds and bats.

Anthony Williams, CGCS at Stone Mountain (Ga.) Golf Club by Marriott, will pass the Green Links host duties to Ceplo. Bob Farren, CGCS, grounds and golf course manager at Pinehurst (N.C.) Resort and Country Club, hosted Green Links in 2007 and David Phipps, GCSAA Class A superintendent at Stone Creek Golf Course in Oregon City, Ore., hosted in 2006.

"We are extremely grateful to Anthony for his service and dedication to Green Links," Greg Lyman, GCSAA director of environmental programs, said. "He is a superb example of the environmental expertise of GCSAA superintendents. We are very fortunate to have his successor be another great environmental steward, Matt Ceplo, and we look forward to his hosting of Green Links over the next year."

The case studies featured on Green Links provide "real-life" experiences that can have practical applications for builders, superintendents and other industry professionals. So far in 2009, Green Links topics have included:

“Turfgrass Scouting Program” Forest Lakes Country Club in Michigan

Calculating the value of nature at North Shore Country Club

Salina Country Club - a Groundwater Guardian Green Site

Going Native at The Bear Trace at Harrison Bay

Using partnerships for a successful trout stream restoration project

Longshore Club Park's bird nests reach higher levels

Green roof evaluation at Shadow Wood Preserve

Three Crowns Golf Club - from oil refinery to golf course

Environmental stewardship at Birmingham Country Club

The History and Challenges of Effluent Water Use in a Water Conscious Area