There are many, many things Justin Timberlake and I have in common. For example, we’re both working extremely hard on bringing sexy back. And, we both know every single N*Sync song by heart. We both are big on environmentally-friendly action. Also, we both love golf. Now, some might quibble at this last similarity, as Timberlake is known to be a “good” golfer, while I am known to be “absolutely godawful,” but that’s neither here nor there.
Regardless, Memphis Daily News reports Timberlake has combined the last two parts of that list with the money he’s made from the first two parts on that list to help create the United States’ first LEED-certified golf course. The course, Woodstock Hills outside of Memphis, is going to be PGA Tour quality, while still being greener than your regular golf course, if you catch my drift. Cause, there’s lots of grass on a golf course…and when things are environmentally sound they’re called “green”…and…well…you know what? Let’s steal a Timberlake quote from ecorazzi on this one and get back on track.
After we had the golf course we said why don’t we refurbish it and make it even nicer for the community. Then I asked questions about what we could possibly do, and we found out we could actually make it a green course. So when it’s finished this summer it will be a Platinum LEED certified green course. The first in the United States of America, so that’s pretty exciting that you could take all that land and make it eco-friendly.
PLATINUM certified. That’s pretty spiffy, I’ll bet. Though you probably aren’t buying your own golf course any time soon, you can takepart and learn how to green your home at Low Impact Living.
By the way, in this interview Timberlake mentions his golf handicap is in the single digits. That means that most likely, he could play 18, go record a single that makes him another $112 billion, and take a nap, while I was on my twenty-seventh shot on the eighth hole. Sigh. Another reason to be angry at the talented.
Let’s also give a round of applause to me for writing an entire post on golf without a Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore reference. Lord knows I’ve watched them both enough to memorize. Should I have not just admitted that?
UPDATE: Look at the comments below to see the crucial distinction that while the buildings on the golf course can be LEED certified, golf courses themselves cannot. Thus, the course itself is not LEED certified, but any structures built on it and as part of it will be. Sorry for the error.
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Seeing as how there is no such thing as a LEED-Certified golf course, that’s quite a trick. Now the clubhouse might become certified, but the course cannot be.
I must say, Glenn is quite right. The quote I pulled from the Memphis Daily News about the LEED certification I will reproduce below, but it appears that I didn’t catch the logical fallacy the author made when writing it. Glenn is correct in saying that although the buildings will be LEED certified, it does not follow the entire course will be. I want to thank Glenn for catching this error, and I’ve updated accordingly. Here’s the relevant text:
“In their place would be an upscale clubhouse, cart cottage and maintenance facility built to the highest of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards (LEED).
The highest LEED certification carries the “platinum” designation. And that addition to the Millington-area property will create the first such platinum-certified LEED building and golf course in Tennessee, according to a letter of intent sent to local planners in February by the project’s engineer.”
I am glad to see the correction regarding the LEED Certification. Many of us would like to see a LEED rating system for site related projects (such as golf courses, parks, etc.), yet USGBC has failed to develop such a product to date.
Additionally, I would note if this course has been built and maintained to typical industry standards it is probably great open space, but I would question if it is in fact an environmentally friendly development. Since I have not visited the course I can only assume it to be a massive consumer of water and most likely utilizes a number of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides to maintain it’s lush and manicured look. These all have a detrimental effect on the ecology of the area. Chemicals alter the living systems of the soils and surface environments, while extensive irrigation either depletes ground water if from wells or possibly utilizes potable water supplies. Perhaps they are using treated effluent or some other alternative water source.
I hope I am mistaken and the designers and owners paid as much attention to the land on which the course resides as he buildings which rest upon it.
I raise the issue because I know it is possible to develop more environmentally sensitive courses. It just takes re-thinking our expectations and approach to designing such facilities. A golf course can provide a number of environmental benefits but the potential exists for it to provide even more if we will begin to think of them as part of a surrounding natural system, rather than an isolated island, and begin to integrate the courses within the context of their natural surroundings. They can help restore the vitality of the environment by naturally treating runoff, increasing habitat for biodiversity, and provide needed open space and natural landscapes.
I was thinking about the issues Mark raises, too, when writing the post. Golf courses, when well-maintained, are not the most environmentally-friendly endeavors. Sure, they’re green and pretty, but Mark is indeed correct raising concerns about water and chemical usage.
The articles I read in researching this post didn’t address these issues, and I personally haven’t seen any photos of the course. We can keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. Thanks again to Mark for bringing up these important issues I didn’t cover in my post.
I am the LEED AP on the Big Creek project. We are aiming for LEED Platinum certification for the scope of the LEED boundary which only includes the clubhouse, however our Green efforts for the entire course do not stop at the clubhosue. We ARE specifying the same ingredients for the other buildings that are on the course to insure that this is truly a “green” course.
We are planting native plants on the course, capturing rain water for reuse, using water from lakes on the course which is also channeled back into the lake, eliminated any water run off, and replacing chemical products with environmentally friendly products. There are many other areas on the course that are being targeted fro change and improvements to reduce the harmful effects of traditional course maintenance.
We are implementing products and methods which will have great benefits for long term sustainability for the course and the buildings. It is very exciting to work on a project of this nature in which the owner’s are very earth concious and really want to do the right things to protect against harmful impacts for the future. The entire team has caught the “Green enthusiasm bug”.
This project is and will be an example for other courses to follow.
Look for the course opening and come see for yourself a steward course for Green!
Teresa Dawn Kress, LEED AP
Woodkrest / Big Creek
Bartlett, TN
Teresa
I am pleased to learn of this leadership in making what has been traditionally an environmental blight into a project for others to follow. I wish you luck in all your endeavors and look forward to the outcome. Perhaps I can visit sometime as I am only a short distance away.
Mark A. Robertson, ASLA
MESA Landscape Architects
Little Rock, AR
Teresa,
Are you also the design firm? Who is the design firm doing the clubhouse?
Mark,
Thank you. It will be a course that will set the bar. It is most certain worth your time to see and play (if you golf).
Thanks again,
Teresa Kress LEED AP
Woodkrest/Big Creek
Todd,
Yes, Woodkrest is the designer.
Thanks,
Teresa
I will indeed say this..I have seen this course(Back nine only..and a few holes on the front)The back nine is the most breathtaking golf holes I have ever seen. I have been in the golf bussiness for almost 20 years and played the game for almost 40…short of Augusta…I cannot image anything comparing to this place…
There is a LEED’s certified community clubhouse being built in a community called Handsmill just outside Charlotte, NC, as far as I know it is the first such community clubhouse in the Southeast. We there the other day and the Handsmill is just a beautiful lakefront community.
My wife and I are thinking about purchasing a waterfront lot there.
Regarding Justin’s golf course, there is a Audobon certification you can get for golf courses.
Hello. Mirmimichi Lakes Golf, formerly known as Big Creek Golf, opened the course a few months ago. The golf course is Audobon certified and the clubhouse still intends to achieve LEED PLATINUM. There are several clubhouses around the country, both public and private, that have received LEED certification, but NC Platinum has not been reached by any.
Teresa Kress
LEED AP
Woodkrest
http://www.woodkrest.net