|
 Riverbend
Ranch Golf Club has achieved designation as a "Certified Cooperative
Sanctuary" by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the
educational division of Audubon International. Michael F. Stieler,
Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this
course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon
International. Riverbend Ranch Golf Club is the first Certified Audubon
Cooperative Sanctuary in the Central San Joaquin Valley, the 18th
course in California, and the 405th in the world to receive the
honor.
Riverbend Ranch Golf Club
is located in southeastern Madera County, just a few minutes north of
Fresno's metropolitan area. It is part of a master planned community
amidst the Rio Mesa Development Project. Inside the course layout, over
100 acres have been designated as natural wildlife areas. The course
resides in a unique setting along the banks of the San Joaquin River and
takes full advantage of the natural terrain, which provides unobstructed
views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The course is balanced in a
link style that incorporates majestic valley oaks and pristine habitat,
enhanced with six beautiful lakes and continuous paths.
"Riverbend Ranch Golf
Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program. They are
to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on
the golf course property," said Joellen Zeh, Staff Ecologist for the
Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System.
"Riverbend opened in 1999
and has earned a reputation as a player's course, as well as one that
every golfer of any skill level can enjoy and play day after day," stated
Stieler. "The layout provides up to 7072 yards of challenging golf from
the championship tees and 5136 yards from the forward tees. With five
sets of tees, every player can find the best fit for their game, which
will challenge them over and over again. Riverbend has served as host to
a number of nationally recognized amateur tournaments and is currently the
home facility for the Save Mart Shootout. This is a professional
exhibition featuring such notable golfers as Arnold Palmer, Peter
Jacobsen, Nancy Lopez, and Julie Inkster."
"To reach certification,
a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of
environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Zeh. These
categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife and Habitat
Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety,
Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.
"The ACSS has allowed
Riverbend Ranch Golf Club to inform the public of its part in successfully
sustaining and enhancing the environment," explained Stieler. "Being a
Superintendent at a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course is
a great privilege and something we proudly draw upon daily. The ACSS
gives us a way of documenting environmental preservation and being
credited for these efforts. In the past, Superintendents have not been
viewed as Environmental Stewards, but in fact, threshold tolerances,
buffer areas, water quality, and many other environmental ingenuities have
long been priorities of the industry. And thanks to Audubon
International, Golf Course Superintendents all over the world have many
opportunities to achieve environmental recognition in the public eye."
The Audubon Cooperative
Sanctuary System for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf
Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses
preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, and protect natural resources.
Golf courses from the United States, Australia, Canada, Central America,
Europe, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the
program.
In addition to golf
courses, the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System also provides programs
for schools, individuals and businesses. For more information, contact:
Audubon International
46 Rarick Road
Selkirk, NY 12158 USA
Telephone: 518.767.9051
Email:
acss@audubonintl.org
World Wide Web:
www.audubonintl.org |
