Golfdom, February 2018

Starter Monarchs in the rough Dick Nugent Jeff Hardin February 2018 Golfdom 9 Golfdom com PHOTO BY MATT CEPLO Most everyone grumbles when searching for errant golf shots in the deep rough Perhaps a new partnership between Audubon International and Monarch Joint Venture MJV will lighten that mood a little Monarch Joint Venture the largest collaborative established to stop the decline of monarch butterflies has partnered with Audubon International to help increase the amount of inhabitable monarch and pollinator habitat Golf courses and other lands that dot the landscape have incredible potential to not only create additional monarch and pollinator habitat but draw attention from the public eye to this important conservation issue says Wendy Caldwell MJV coordinator Audubon International is a welcomed partner in our endeavor to increase habitat for monarchs on all landscapes including golf courses According to Audubon International monarch population has declined by 90 percent over the last 20 years To counteract this the organizations Monarchs in the Rough program works to establish monarch habitat on golf courses across the country and beyond AI staff estimates that on United States golf courses there are 100000 acres of space to create monarch friendly habitat If those areas are improved to have 200 milkweed stems per acre the group says their program could offer 20 million milkweed stems toward the 1 to 15 billion goal Managing properties for pollinators like monarchs and other butterflies is a great way to pull together best practices to protect water quality diversify wildlife habitat improve aesthetics of golf and more says Christine Kane Audubon Internationals executive director While you cant promote everything on the same acre we certainly can provide for multiple ecological services needed by communities by providing resources critical to monarch conservation The MJV was established in 2009 and includes 70 partners from around the country including the National Recreation and Park Association the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the U S Geological Survey For more information on MJV visit monarchjointventure org Audubon International offers a variety of programs to facilitate the sustainable management of land water wildlife and other natural resources For more information visit auduboninternational org programs BEFRIENDING BUTTERFLIES PASSINGS NOTED ASGCA MEMBERS NUGENT HARDIN PASS The American Society of Golf Course Architects ASGCA lost two members on the same day ASGCA Past President Dick Nugent and Jeff Hardin ASGCA both passed away on Jan 1 Nugent worked six years with ASGCA founding member Robert Bruce Harris Nugent and future ASGCA President Ken Killian left Harris in 1964 to set up their own golf course architecture partnership Nugent and Killian made their big splash with the creation of Kemper Lakes Golf Long Grove Ill which played host to the Kemper Open and the 1989 PGA Championship Other courses designed by Nugent include Tuckaway CC Milwaukee The Dunes Club New Buffalo Mich Koolau GC Oahu Hawaii and Harborside GC Port and Starboard Chicago Hardins golf course architecture career included work with fellow prominent architects George Fazio ASGCA and ASGCA Past President Robert F Red Lawrence Courses designed by Hardin include Los Caballeros GC Wickenburg Ariz Dobson Ranch GC Mesa Ariz El Conquistador CC Tucson Ariz Wigwam West Golf Course Litchfield Park Ariz and Sky Mountain GC Hurricane Utah Monarch Joint Venture which aims to halt the decline of monarch butterflies has teamed up with Audubon International to increase habitat for the insects EVERYONE SAY GOLFDOM ABOUT THE COVER Ever try getting 70 people to all smile and look at the camera at the same time Its not easy but Orlando based photographer Lou Ferraro owner of Park South Photography nailed it with this months cover shot on the back steps at the Reunion Resort For a complete rundown of who everyone is in the photo see page 22