The four courses in the Hershey Golf Collection have enrolled in the highly respected Audubon International program that will lead to each of the Hershey layouts being certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary.

The commitment to the program normally is about one year per course, which translates into a 2011 completion date for the Hershey project. The Hershey Golf Collection consists of 63 holes of golf - from historic, tour-tested layouts at Hershey Country Club (East Course and West Course), to the challenging bluffs of Hershey Links, to the family-style nine holes at Spring Creek Golf Course.

Following a site assessment of each course, the subsequent steps are environmental planning on wildlife and habitat management, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation, water quality management, and outreach and education. The assessment process has begun on the East Course, which includes identification of the many types of birds that inhabit the area.

The award-winning Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program is designed to recognize and support golf courses that have worked to meet specific standards that ensure a high degree of environmental quality for humanity and wildlife. Audubon International currently recognizes 20 Pennsylvania golf courses in the Certified Cooperative Sanctuary Program.

"Audubon certification confirms our commitment to high standards of environmental management," said Ned Graff, director of golf for the Hershey Golf Collection. "This is a particularly good match for Hershey because the Audubon certification symbolizes our longstanding philosophy."

Throughout the Hershey Golf Collection, there are thriving habitats for numerous species of birds, deer, fox and other animals, as well as wetlands that include lakes and streams. Hershey Entertainment & Resorts, which manages the courses, will create additional unmown areas throughout each golf course to provide more natural areas for various animals.

"We've already been doing many of the things that are required," said Mark Malasavage, director of golf course maintenance for the Hershey Golf Collection. "Being certified will help make people be more aware that our golf courses actually create habitat and take care of the environment."

The West Course is to be the last to go through the certification process, since it will be undergoing a complete restoration and renovation project starting this fall. The course is scheduled to reopen in spring 2010.

5/30/2008