Contact: Shawn Reed, 561-963-6713
Osprey Point Golf Course, which is owned and operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department, was named the World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility by the World Golf Awards in an awards ceremony held at the Conrad Algarve Resort in Quinta do Lago, Portugal Saturday evening.
“We are thrilled that Osprey Point Golf Course is the recipient of the prestigious World Golf Award for the Most Eco-Friendly Golf Facility.” stated Eric Call, Palm Beach County’s Parks and Recreation Director, upon receiving the announcement. “While designing and constructing the course, we restored much of the wetland habitat previously destroyed from farming and created a remarkable sanctuary adjacent to the Florida Everglades. I want to thank the Selection Committee for this special recognition and also acknowledge the great work of our golf management team, staff and maintenance personnel for this achievement.”
Long known for its environmentally friendly practices, Osprey Point became only the second golf course in the United States and fifth in the world to earn the coveted Certified Classic Sanctuary distinction from Audubon International in 2011, an honor that recognizes environmental stewardship from conception through on-going operation. In 2015, Audubon International re-certified the facility, making it the first golf course in the nation to earn re-certification.
Osprey Point’s environmentally friendly practices are wide reaching. The facility features a 21 percent reduction in irrigated turf areas and utilizes an alternative turf, Platinum Paspalum, which requires less irrigation and maintenance.
Furthermore, during construction, a waste water recycling system and infiltration sumps were installed and the use of vegetative swales and wetlands used to clean water before it drains into neighboring lakes or groundwater. As a result of these water-saving efforts, Osprey Point utilized 24 percent less water than permitted in 2015.
Environmental efforts extend beyond the reduction and treatment of water. Maintenance staff limit the use of chemicals to those approved by Audubon International and certain identified areas have been removed from maintenance and allowed to return to their natural state. More than 2,000 hours are spent each year to remove exotic and invasive plants while Osprey Point holds events throughout the year to help educate golfers on the course’s environmental efforts. Participants in the education process are encouraged to be more environmentally friendly while on the course.
In being named the World’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, Osprey Point soared above some of the most recognizable golf facilities from around the world. Also nominated were Crystal Springs Golf Course in Hamburg, N.J., Ekerum Resort Oland in Borgholm, Sweden, Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Golfbaan Stippelberg in Bakel, Netherlands, No. 2 at Pinehurst in Pinehurst, N.C., the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in Kiawah Island, S.C., Ocean Course at Pelican Hill in Newport Coast, Calif. and The Gleneagles in Perthshire, Scotland.
In its third year, the World Golf Awards serve to celebrate and reward excellence in golf tourism around the world. The 2016 ceremony marked the first time the organization has presented the “World’s Best Eco Friendly Golf Facility” honor. All of the organization’s awards, including Osprey Point’s, were based on a vote made by professionals working within the golf industry as well as votes cast by the general public.
OTHER LANGUAGES