Green Golf Course Certification Program

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Golf courses

Golf courses have the ability to implement best management practices that benefit wildlife by providing food sources and habitat.

computerized irrigation systems

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.

fertilizer use on the golf course

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.

pest management

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.

Green Certification logo

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