Thumbs Up: Going Green on the Golf Course

Golf courses put thousands of pounds of chemical pesticides and fertilizers into the ground, displace animals and birds, and use up water galore. However, here are some green tips on what you can do the next time you head for the greens:

• • Putter to courses that are environmentally friendly. Check out Blackburn Meadows, Canada's only organic golf course on Saltspring Island, BC. Their Web site, bmgcssi.com, also gives you handy tips for a healthy lawn.

• • Support turf-maintenance practices that protect wildlife and natural habitat. These include a reduction in both fertilization and watering.

• • Be fair to the fairways. Accept brown patches during dry spells.

• • Walk the course instead of using golf carts to reduce both air and noise pollution.

• Always replace your divots.

Sources: E-Magazine, March/April 2002; Earth Share, earthshare.org.