Golf is one of the most popular recreation activities in Ontario.

There are over 600 well-used golf courses in Ontario, most of them on the urban fringe -- within an hour's drive from town or city.

Golf is almost nature.  It's outdoors and there is wildlife to be found on the course.  But most golf courses are about as close to nature as a plastic christmas tree.  They use up precious farmland and/or natural areas, and require regular watering and pesticides to keep the greens green and weed-free.

Greening golf is a challenge of land use planning, and of sound environmental management:

1. Locate golf courses for minimal environmental impact (regional planning); 
     

2. Design golf courses for maximum ecological benefit (ecological design); 
     

3. promote sound environmental management practices (stewardship).

Looking for the best environmental golf courses?  The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System of Canada is an environmental recognition program for green golf courses.  See the website for an up to date list of courses.  Here is the list as of November 2006.

Certified Bronze Audubon Signature Sanctuary in Ontario

Ballantrae Golf Club, Ballantrae

Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries in Ontario

	Blue Springs Golf Club, Acton
	Camelot Golf & Country Club, Cumberland
	Circled Pine Golf Course, Borden
	Cranberry Resort Golf Course, Collingwood
	Diamond Back Golf Club, Richmond Hill
	Donalda Club, Don Mills
	Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville
	Granite Golf Club, Stouffville
	Hamilton Golf and Country Club, Ancaster
	King’s Riding Golf Club, King City
	Loyalist Golf Club, Bath
	Markham Green Golf Club, Markham
	Mississauga Golf & Country Club, Mississaugua
	Monterra Golf at Blue Mountain Resort, Collingwood
	Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, Nobleton
	North Halton Golf & Country Club, Georgetown
	Oakdale Golf and Country Club, Downsview
	Peel Village Golf Club, Brampton
	Rattlesnake Point Golf Course, Milton
	RiverBend Golf Community, London
	Rocky Crest Golf Club, Mactier
	Rotary Park – Town of Aylmer, Aylmer
	Saw Mill Golf Course, Fenwick
	Springfield Golf & Country Club, Guelph
	St. Thomas Golf & Country Club, St. Thomas
	Station Creek Golf Club. Gormley
	Stonebridge Golf & Country Club, Ottawa
	Stone Tree Golf & Fitness Club, Owen Sound
	Sunningdale Golf & Country Club, London
	The Lake Joseph Club, Port Carling
	The Toronto Board of Trade Country Club, Woodbridge
	The Zaugg Property, Bolton
	Thornhill Country Club, Thornhill
	Whitevale Golf Course, Whitevale
	Woodlands Links, Clinton

Here are some of the other groups that are helping make golf just a little greener:

Business Associations	Royal Canadian Golf Association   Golf Association of Ontario     Ontario Ladies Golf Association
Professional Associations	The Ontario Golf Superintendents Association is an Association made up of Golf Course Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, golf course suppliers, owners and architects.
Other Sites of Interest	The United States Golf Association (USGA): has a Green Section with a Wildlife Links Program and a link to the Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary program)   United States Golf Course Superintendents Association of America: Resource Center has several environmental articles, as well as the Environmental Principles for Golf Courses.    Physicians for Social Responsibility: Environmental Principles for Golf (similar to the USGCSAA)