Green Golf Course Certification Program Golf courses have the ability to implement best management practices that benefit wildlife by providing food sources and habitat. By using computerized irrigation systems, monitoring water use, and planting native drought tolerant grass species, golf courses can have a beneficial impact on the reduction in the use of water resources for irrigation. By reducing fertilizer use on the golf course, superintendents can have an positive impact on the reduction of non–point sources of pollution in watersheds and avoid water quality issues like blue-green algae. By practicing sustainable methods of pest management and providing habitat for pollinating insects, golf courses can play a huge role in restoring and protecting native pollinator species. Please see the RIDEM Pollinator Working Group website for more details. Prev Next Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Green Golf Course Certification Program has been in existence since 2011. The program is built upon the foundations of pollution prevention as it pertains to land use with a specific focus on the reduction on non-point source pollution. The program began with a strong partnership between the RIDEM and the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. Over the course of many years, the program expanded to include other turf management sectors such as landscapers and turf farmers which lead to a comprehensive sustainability program for all sectors of turf management. The RIDEM has gained support from multiple organizations such as Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association (RINLA) and the Rhode Island Turf Foundation (RITF). The goal of this program is to give golf courses an opportunity to implement best management practices, measure environmental performance, and recognize achievements. The focus areas of the program are reductions in three key categories: water use for irrigation, fertilizer use, and pesticide use. The program was assisted with the award of a pollution prevention grant in 2014. The grant program was implemented from 2014 to 2017 and during this time significant reductions in non-point sources of pollution were measured. Over the course of the 3-year grant program, RIDEM collected metrics at golf courses, turf farms, and landscapers in four key categories water use, fertilizer use, pesticide use, and greenhouse gas reductions. From 2011-2017, golf courses, landscapers, turf farmers, and colleges and universities have reduced over 242,000 lbs. of fertilizer reduced close to 373,000,000 gallons of water reduced more than 540 lbs. of pesticide reduced nearly 1,430 metric tons of CO2 equivalent These successes were only accomplished by the dedicated participation of the golf courses, landscapers, and turf farms that participated in the program. To see a complete list of program participants see the link under certified businesses. The RIDEM Green Golf Course Certification Program reflects the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America best management practices program. By becoming part of the RIDEM program, golf courses can measure their environmental performance over time and use it to educate members and market their sustainable efforts. In conjunction with our RIDEM Green Events Program, the annual CVS Charity Classic golf tournament has been hosted at a RIDEM green certified golf course. This golf tournament is also a certified green event through the RIDEM Green Event programs. Become a green certified golf course by filing out the checklist at the link below View Checklist Resources and Education List of DEM Green Certified Landscapers US Golf Course Superintendents Association Best Management Practices Manual The 10 Most Eco-Friendly Golf Courses in the US Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for Golf Program New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission Program for Non-Point Source Pollution Certified Green Golf Courses: As of September 2020 Alpine Country Club 251 Pippin Orchard Road Cranston • 401-943-2670 Agawam Hunt 15 Roger Williams Avenue Rumford • 401-434-0980 The Aquidneck Club 125 Cory’s Lane Middletown • 1-401-682-6000 Buttonhole Golf Course 1 Buttonhole Drive Providence • 401-421-1664 Green Valley Country Club 371 Union Street Portsmouth • 1-401-847-9543 Goddard Memorial State Park 1095 Ives Road Warwick • 401-884-9834 Kirkbrae Country Club 197 Old River Road Lincoln • 1-401-333-1300 The Misquamicut Club 60 Ocean View Westerly • 1-401-348-8213 Newport Country Club 280 Harrison Avenue Newport • 401-846-0461 Newport National Golf Club 324 Mitchell’s Lane Middletown • 1-401-848-9690 Pawtucket Country Club 900 Armistice Blvd Pawtucket • 401-725-2918 Point Judith Country Club 150 Windemere Road Narragansett • 401-792-9775 Potowomut Golf Club 439 Ives Road East Greenwich • 401-885-8700 Rhode Island Country Club 150 Nyatt Road Barrington • 401-245-5138 Sakonnet Golf Club 79 Sakonnet Point Road Little Compton • 401-635-4821 Shelter Harbor Golf Club 1 Golf Club Drive Charlestown • 401-322-8214 Wannamoisett Country Club 96 Hoyt Avenue Rumford • 401-434-1200 Wanumetonomy Golf Club 152 Browns Lane Middletown • 401-847-5141 Weekapaug Golf Club 265 Shore Road Westerly • 401-322-0840