Golf Course Superintendents Release New Manual

ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--Golf Course Superintendents Release New Manual

A new manual will help Atlantic Canada golf courses maintain top- quality facilities while minimizing environmental impact on surrounding areas. The Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association released the manual at the Atlantic Turfgrass Conference and Trade Show held recently in Saint John, N.B.

The 110-page Environmental Self Assessment Manual is a joint project of Nova Scotia's Department of Environment and Labour and the association. The manual provides golf course superintendents with easy-to-follow information on how to deal with such issues as water protection, management of dangerous goods and pesticide use.

The price of the manual is included in membership in the association.

David Morse, Minister of Environment and Labour, praised the association for its co-operative and proactive approach to dealing with environmental issues.

"The association is acting above and beyond legislative requirements by making this progressive manual available for its members," he said. "Many of the environmental success stories we enjoy in Nova Scotia are because of the willingness of the private sector to play a partnership role in keeping our province clean and green."

Tom Forsythe, president of the Atlantic Golf Superintendents Association, says the association is committed to being good environmental stewards.

"We studied methods from all over North America in putting together this manual," said Mr. Forsythe. "While we recognize that each course has its own unique concerns I'm sure these guidelines will prove useful to all operators."