Rehoboth Beach Country Club recognized for environmental excellence

Rehoboth Beach Country Club has retained its designation as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.

Participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts. To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas including: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

"Rehoboth Beach Country 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 Doug Bechtel, executive director of Audubon International.

Rehoboth Beach Country Club is one of seven courses in Delaware and 906 courses in the world to receive the honor. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Central America, Europe, South America and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. The golf course was designated as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary in 2001. After designation, courses go through a recertification process every two years.

This year the recertification process, coordinated by Michael Maney, golf course superintendent, required a visit by a local community representative. “It is an honor to continue the recertification at Rehoboth Beach Country Club,” reported Maney, "especially since the club was the first golf course in the State of Delaware to become certified by Audubon International.”

“We see the site visit as an important component of a course’s recertification,” stated Bechtel. “It provides an objective verification of some of the more visible aspects of the course’s environmental management activities. In addition, it offers an opportunity for golf course representatives to share publicly some of the voluntary actions they have taken to protect and sustain the land, water, wildlife, and natural resources around them.”

About Audubon International

Audubon International is a not-for-profit 501c3 environmental education organization dedicated to providing people with the education and assistance they need to practice responsible management of land, water, wildlife, and other natural resources. To meet this mission, the organization provides training, services, and a set of award-winning environmental education and certification programs for individuals, organizations, properties, new developments, and entire communities.

For more information, contact Audubon International at 120 Defreest Drive, Troy, NY 12180, 518-767-9051, email atacsp@auduboninternational.org, or go to www.auduboninternational.org.

About Rehoboth Beach Country Club

Rehoboth Beach Country Club is located just a short drive from downtown Rehoboth Beach on the Rehoboth Bay. Featuring a variety of activities including golf, tennis, swimming and fitness, the private club offers a full-service clubhouse as well as professional staff and pro shops. More information about the club is available at www.rehobothbeachcc.com or 302-227-3811.