Audubon International Honors Golf Courses Reaching Significant Certification Milestones in 2023

As 2023 enters its final stretch, Audubon International – the environmentally focused non-profit organization offering members numerous certifications and conservation initiatives to protect the areas where we all live, work, and play – proudly honors 40 courses in the United States and abroad that have attained an admirable milestone as certified Audubon Certified Sanctuary Program for Golf members for 10, 20 and 30 years.

Every year, Audubon International recognizes member courses that reach these impressive milestones, awarding plaques to those at the 30- and 20-year level and certificates to those at the 10-year level.

“These 40 honorees for 2023 continue an important, longstanding tradition at Audubon International,” says Christine Kane, CEO. “They also set a high bar for sustainability practices and stewardship culture that all our members strive to clear the moment they take on the ACSP challenge. Seeing these courses’ dedication in action with every passing year is truly inspiring and proof positive that we are helping golf facilities of all kinds lead the way to a more environmentally friendly industry for the benefit of everyone.”

Two American courses reached the 30-year mark in 2023, including the Bay Course at Kapalua Resort on the Hawaiian island of Maui and Village Links of Glen Ellyn west of Chicago, Ill. Along with three courses in Canada and one in the Philippines, twenty-one American courses reached the 20-year milestone–four in California, three in Florida, two each in Massachusetts and North Carolina, and one each in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New York, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wyoming. Hitting the 10-year mark were 14 courses overall–a dozen in the United States and two in Canada. Colorado led the way with three courses, while California, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington notched one each.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf is an award-winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. By helping people enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, and minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf course operations, the program serves an important environmental role worldwide.

To learn more about how your local golf course, community, lodging property, or resort can gain recognition for your environmental efforts or to learn how to expand your initiatives through Audubon International’s numerous environmental certifications, visit auduboninternational.org.