When it comes to promoting the positive environmental impacts that golf courses provide, there is no better theater than the facility at Old Collier Golf Club in Naples, Florida. I recently had the opportunity to participate in the EPA Regulators’ Tour at Old Collier with representatives from our industry and 30 individuals from multiple offices in the EPA.

Todd Draffen, director of golf course operations, conducted the annual event with the support of Todd Lowe and Nick Kearns from Envu, Jennifer Bryan and Nate Watkin from the Florida GCSA, local superintendents, Kyle Sweet, CGCS, from The Sanctuary, Dan Brooks, CGCS, from Panther Run Golf Club and president of the Everglades Chapter, and me. 

The day was perfect as the bus unloaded with a swarm of EPA officials anxious to behold what the facility had to offer. Quite honestly, so was I. I had been on the property a few years ago for this event and remembered how magnificent everything was. I anticipated the splendor again.

As the tour commenced, I quickly realized that the group was not going to be disappointed. Todd Draffen addressed the entire group on the course as we discussed the selection of paspalum for grassing the course to allow for lower quality water to be used for irrigation. My words cannot convey how spectacular every feature of the golf course is at Old Collier. As we continued around the course, the EPA officials observed an eagle in flight while fledglings nested above. At another stop, a huge osprey nest was being maintained. We also had the opportunity to observe a gopher tortoise habitat and an instance of mole cricket damage in the middle of a fairway. It was one small blemish but demonstrated how disruptive this pest can be and why we need the appropriate tools to combat them. The way the golf course stands within an urban environment exemplifies how well the land provides greenspace that is a valuable resource for wildlife that would otherwise not have refuge to live.

The golf course tour concluded with a demonstration of an autonomous mower, mowing a fairway as well as a GPS-linked sprayer that showcased how spray applications can be extremely dialed in to cover just the intended spray location as nozzles turned on and off as the sprayer moved onto and off the putting green surface.

For the maintenance facility tour, we broke into 2 smaller, manageable groups and lead them through the maintenance facility. Every aspect of the area was impeccably maintained as we stopped in every major area.

Our first stop was the irrigation room as Todd Draffen lead our group and explained the tools such as the soil moisture meters and the computer system and how the technology worked in tandem to minimize the amount of water used on the course. The attendees from the EPA were fascinated by the equipment and pinpoint ability to deliver water accurately on the golf course.

After perusing the turf equipment, which looked like it had just been delivered from the showroom, we toured the materials storage area, the fertilizer storage, and pesticide mix/load areas. I was anticipating there may be some pointed comments and questions, but because everything was immaculate and properly maintained there were mostly questions and comments of a positive nature. I had the opportunity to speak with an official from the EPA regarding Chlorothalonil’s importance as a tool in our fungicide arsenal and she noted that she had seen our comments and appreciated the affirmation of the messaging. 

When we completed our maintenance building tour, we enjoyed a bbq meal in the facility and got to know a little more about the regulators at my table. I noted the one FDACS employee who had an IRONMAN tattoo indicating he had participated in a competition. (I knew this from a member, Jeff Burgoyne, CGCS, who also has the tattoo.) His story was fascinating as he completed his triathlon in Kentucky in 13 hours and 58 minutes.

While driving home I reflected on the day’s message and felt a great sense of pride to work in an industry that truly practices such care for the environment and employs some of the best stewards of the land. I still have an image in my head as several of the EPA Regulators kept stroking the grass in the fairways and on the greens trying to determine if it was real or not: As you know, and now so do they, it is very real and a great testament to the efforts of superintendents who maintain these premier conditions while promoting great environmental awareness.