The team at Mirimichi demonstrate an understanding and enthusiasm for sustainability that represents a great model for golf management. Working to a sophisticated, efficiency-oriented management plan, they are achieving extremely high standards of social and environmental performance in day-to-day operations.
What puts sustainability so firmly at the heart of Mirimichi's activities is the top level commitment from owner Justin Timberlake, combined with enthusiasm and collective teamwork across well trained and motivated staff.
Key strengths are in proactively involving members and the local community, in sharing their experiences, in continually seeking ways to reduce resource use and in their efforts to make the site as ecologically rich as possible.
Publication of this Certification Report indicates that Mirimichi has been assessed against the GEO Certification Criteria and awarded GEO Certified status.
Each section of this document covers a key area of environmentally sound golf facility management. As defined by the Golf Environment Organization, these are: Nature, Landscape & Heritage, Water, Turf, Waste, Energy, Education & Awareness and Management Planning.
Scope of Application
Mirimichi consists of:
Courses
Mirimichi (27 holes)
Maintenance Facilities
Natural Resource Management Center
Other
Pro Shop
Practice Facilities
Halfway House
On Course Toilet Facilities
Callaway Performance Center
Nature
Mirimichi lies within an altered floodplain surrounded by residential, agricultural, and woodland. Forest types are mixed mesophytic hardwood to the east and south and bottomland hardwood to the west and north. A 1.6-kilometer reach of Big Creek runs along the northwestern boundary, but the natural bends and meanders are gone due to channeling and straightening of the river in the 1940s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The substantial grassland, woodland, and water at Mirimichi total 56% of the property and are designed and managed as restored native plant and animal habitat.
Designations
Mirimichi features areas that are designated or protected at the following levels:
National Government
Surveys
The following ecological surveys have been undertaken:
Title
Author
Date
Botanical
V. Maddox
2008-10-08
Mammals
R. Demotsis
2010-02-01
Potential state and federally listed species
Audubon Environmental
2009-05-15
Habitats
Estimated area of habitats at Mirimichi:
Rough ‘ecological’ grassland: 56.6 ha; of Local Importance
Native woodland: 15.3 ha; of Local Importance
Wetlands: 1.8 ha; of Local Importance
Open water features: 5.7 ha; of Local Importance
Mirimichi has undertaken the following activities to improve the landscape ecology of the site:
Increase the size of habitat patches
Connect internal habitat patches
Connect patches with external habitats
Create new habitat corridors
Introduce a policy to avoid habitat fragmentation
Improve and diversify habitat edges
Species
There are no rare, protected or notable species occurring at Mirimichi.
Consultation
Mirimichi consults with the following nature conservation organisations:
Audubon International
Lichterman Nature Center
Activities
Mirimichi has undertaken the following activities to enhance nature protection:
Activity
Description
Native landscaping
Use native, site-specific plantings when landscaping.
Invasives management
Monitor for invasive plants and animals and establish management programs where needed.
Landscape restoration
Restore grassland, forest patches, and stream buffers with plants native to western Tennessee.
Vegetated buffers
Maintain natural vegetated buffers along the property edges as well as within the project surrounding water bodies.
Management Zones
Establish Special Management Zones around water bodies to protect habitat and water quality for wildlife.
Wildlife landscaping
Manage relatively small ‘ornamental’ landscaped areas for wildlife by creating butterfly or hummingbird gardens and planting native seed, fruit, and nut bearing plants.
Monitoring
Monitor and record plants and wildlife observed by employees, residents, and visitors.
Leave snags
Leave dead trees or snags standing when do not pose a hazard as snags provide homes for nearly 1200 species.
Bird boxes and perches
Install bird nest boxes, bat houses, and platforms for birds of prey. Maintain boxes annually and participate in organized bird surveys.
Outreach
Reach out to local scout troops, schools, and other groups to conduct plant and animal surveys at Mirimichi.
Habitat preservation
Indentify and preserve different types of habitats on site and provide connections/corridors between these habitats. Minimize crossings through corridors.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for maximizing its ecological value:
The goals for Mirimichi are to protect, improve, and manage plants and water bodies as habitat for diverse, native animals. Habitats at Mirimichi include several species of seed-bearing native grasses and wildflowers, ponds including littoral shelves with diverse aquatic plants and upland buffers, created and natural streams, a large created wetland, and patches of trees with native shrub understory.
Landscape & Heritage
Mirimichi is a complete renovation, rebranding, and addition of 9 holes and practice facilities to Big Creek Golf Club originally built in 1969. The original course was the first racially integrated golf course in the Mid-South region of the U.S. and the first to use bentgrass in the region. 'Mirimichi' means 'place of happy retreat' in the language of the Native American Cherokee tribe, in respect to the owner's personal heritage. The historic landscape of the property was shaped by deforestation and timbering, river alteration, and agriculture. Restoration of connected patches of native plants and natural habitats are goals at Mirimichi.
Designations
Mirimichi does not feature any landscape designations.
Mirimichi does not feature any cultural heritage designations or protected features.
Surveys
The following landscape assessments and appraisals been carried out at the site:
Date
Title
2008-10-08
Recommendations for Native Areas at Big Creek Golf Course, Memphis, TN by Victor Maddox, Ph.D.
No archaeological or heritage surveys have been carried out at this site.
Consultation
Mirimichi consults with the following organisations on landscape and cultural heritage issues:
Gardens Oyvey, Arlington, Tennessee, USA
Activities
Mirimichi undertakes the following activities to enhance landscape and cultural heritage:
Activity
Description
Golf hole naming
Each golf hole at Mirimichi has a Native American Cherokee name reflecting the hole's character and providing opportunity to emphasize Cherokee language and culture.
Tree plantings
In 2009, 1470 trees of 8 native species were planted including eastern red bud, dogwood, red buckeye, paw paw, smooth sumac, sourwood, Savannah holly, and bald cypress.
Aquatic plantings
In 2009, 2250 aquatics were planted of 7 native species including American lotus, spatterdock, pickerel rush, soft rush, iris, sweet flag, and cardinal flower.
Invasives removal
In 2009, about 0.8 hectare of invasive exotic plants were removed including kudzu, mimosa, and privet.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for conserving or enhancing its landscape and cultural heritage value:
One key objective is to continue the site heritage of responsible use of the land but with added benefits of natural habitat restoration through native plantings and management.
Another key objective is to honor the owners' Cherokee heritage and pass on this wisdom to guests of Mirimichi.
Water
Proper timing and placement of irrigation water is essential to ensure turfgrass quality, energy efficiency and playability at Mirimichi. The irrigation program includes many water conservation measures that depend on automatic recording of weather data so that a determination can be made if irrigation should be applied. Irrigation is confined to crucial playing areas. Water use priority areas have been identified including those requiring little or no supplementary irrigation. Water is not applied too quickly to avoid runoff from sloped areas. A healthy durable turf that withstands minor drought is achieved by irrigating thoroughly, but as infrequently as possible. Daily water use is monitored and monthly usage is summarized. Targets are set for yearly improvement in efficiency of system operation and water usage. During the 2009 renovation grow-in, 74% (258,164 cubic meters) of irrigation water came from rain storage and recycled drainage.
Equipment rinse water used at the Natural Resource Management Center is captured, physically and biologically treated and reused for rinsing.
No-spray management zones (7.5 meters wide) and limited-spray management zones (additional 7.5 meters) are in place around all water bodies at Mirimichi.
Consumption
Water sources
Primary Source
Secondary Source (if used)
Clubhouse
N/A
N/A
Golf Courses
Recycled Drainage & Irrigation
Groundwater
Accommodation
N/A
N/A
Maintenance facility
Public / Potable
Recycled Drainage & Irrigation
Other
Public / Potable
N/A
Water consumption (m3)
2009
Clubhouse
N/A
Golf Courses
349840
Accommodation
N/A
Maintenance facility
2143
Other
45
Irrigation
The following areas are irrigated:
Area name
Approx. Hectarage
Greens
2 ha
Tees
3 ha
Fairways
24.3 ha
Semi-rough
27.3 ha
Landscape beds
0.5 ha
Mirimichi irrigation system is Fully computer controlled.
This irrigation system is serviced every 6 months.
This irrigation system is upgraded every 2 years.
This irrigation system is calibrated every 1 years.
Our greenkeeping staff incorporate evapotranspiration rates and weather data into their irrigation programme:
The irrigation central controller uses detailed information from an on-site weather station that calculates evapotranspiration rates from weather data automatically recorded across the course. In addition, Mirimichi uses Rainbird's Smart Pump system that uses actual flow to continuously balance system supply and demand in real time, which maximizes pump efficiency and lifespan.
Mirimichi does not monitor soil water content.
Analysis
Mirimichi undertakes environmental monitoring of water quality.
Chemical
Biological
Last Test Date
Tester
Inflow
Yes
No
2009-09-23
Jim Van Fleit
On-site
Yes
No
2009-09-23
Jim Van Fleit
Outflow
Yes
No
2009-09-23
Jim Van Fleit
The key findings of these tests were:
Surface water is monitored regularly at 9 points across the site and in adjacent waterways. Variables analyzed include basic water chemistry, nutrients and turbidity, and pesticides.
Activities
Mirimichi has undertaken the following activities to conserve / reduce / minimise water consumption:
Minimise irrigated area
Irrigate in the evenings
De-compact the soil
Grass species selection
Regular inspections for irrigation system leaks
Soil moisture analysis
Use of wetting agents
Gathering of evapotranspiration data
Smart Pump system reduces water use based on weather conditions
Mirimichi undertakes the following activities to protect and enhance water quality:
Maintain vegetative buffers
Creation of swales and attenuation areas
No spray zones
Erosion control
Pest and disease tolerant grass selection
Informed selection of fertiliser type
Informed selection of pesticides (least toxic, least persistent)
Naturalisation of pond margins to improve oxygenation
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for conserving water quality and minimizing water consumption:
Turf
Agronomic and cultural practices are important components in maintaining environmental integrity and enhancing the current conditions at Mirimichi. State-of-the-art agronomic and cultural practices ensures protection of the environmentally sensitive areas adjacent to or part of the golf course. Particular attention has been given to areas adjacent to ponds, created wetland and watercourses to protect natural habitat and water quality. The bermudagrass cultivars used have higher density and better wear and cold tolerance than other cultivars. Given the summer temperatures and water conservation practices, bermudagrass provides an exceptional quality playing surface with a minimum of pest problems. It can be irrigated at less than daily evapotranspiration demand and maintain good quality in the summer months. The primary cultural practices that produce and sustain healthy turf are mowing, irrigation, fertilization and cultivation. The best deterrent to weed, insect and disease infestation is a healthy turf. Thus, maintaining hearty grasses at Mirimichi minimizes the need to apply fertilizers and pesticides.
Mirimichi maintains the following turfgrass species:
Greens
Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)
Surrounds & Approaches
Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)
Tees
Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)
Zoysia (Zoysia japonica)
Fairways
Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)
Semi-rough
Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis)
Mirimichi regularly undertakes the following practices to improve turf health:
Hollow Coring - 1 times per year
Top Dressing - 12 times per year
Micro Tining - 1 times per year
Verticutting - 5 times per year
Rolling - 10 times per year
Nutrition
The most important aspect of the nutrient management program at Mirimichi is to ensure that the nutrients applied to the golf course turf and landscape areas (where they are needed to maintain plant health) do not migrate to surface or ground water. Practices used at Mirimichi to protect aquatic resources include: 1) Limiting irrigation to replacement of soil moisture; 2) Using slow release fertilizer sources; 3) Timing fertilizer applications in relation to active uptake; and 4) Use of realistic fertilizer application rates.
The greenkeeping staff feed the following areas of the golf course:
Greens
Tees
Fairways
Semi-rough
Landscape beds
The nutrition programme at Mirimichi is informed by:
Leaf Tissue Analysis
Soil Analysis
Visual Appearance
Sward Density
Rooting Depth
Fertiliser use in 2009
Nitrogen (kg/year)
Phosphate (kg/year)
Potassium (kg/year)
Greens & surround
812
114
666
Tees
155
84
84
Fairways
3382
145
920
Semi Rough
1352
71
484
Rough
0
0
0
Mirimichi has no further fertiliser data.
Pest & Disease Control
Mirimichi practices an ecologically based system that uses biological and chemical approaches to control called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This is a preventative approach incorporating a number of objectives including: 1) Developing a healthy turf that can withstand pest pressure; 2) Judicious and efficient use of chemicals; 3) Enhancement of populations of natural, beneficial organisms; and 4) Effective timing of handling pest problems at the most vulnerable stage, often resulting in reduced pesticide usage.
Pesticide use:
Fungicides - If Necessary
Herbicides - If Necessary
Insecticides - If Necessary
Lumbricides - If Necessary
Growth Regulator - If Necessary
Mirimichi keeps detailed records of pesticide application.
Pesticide use in 2009
Fungicide
Herbicide
Insecticide
Active ingredient
kg
Active ingredient
kg
Active ingredient
kg
Greens & Surrounds
Thiophanate-methyl
34.02
2,4 D
0.83
Carbaryl
23.59
Chlorothalonil
22.45
Mecoprop
0.44
Iprodione
22.45
Dicamba
0.08
Tees
Chlorothalonil
9.36
Oxadiazon
5.03
Carbaryl
1.36
Iprodione
0.62
2,4 D
2.77
Mecoprop
1.47
Fairways
Prodiamine
24.62
2,4 D
16.97
Oxadiazon
14.47
Rough
Prodiamine
11.96
2,4 D
8.89
Mecoprop
4.74
Mirimichi has no further pesticide data.
Thresholds for using pesticides at Mirimichi:
To pre-determined thresholds / degrees of damage
Mirimichi selects pesticides with the following attributes:
Toxicity - Low
Persistence - Low
Solubility - Low
Specificty - High
Scouting at Mirimichi:
Frequency / month
Scout
Greens
30
Superintendent
Tees
30
Superintendent
Fairways
15
Superintendent
Semi Rough
4
Superintendent
Activites
Mirimichi undertakes the following activities to minimise / reduce pesticide use:
Activity
Description
Monitor pests
Monitor potential pest populations and their environment.
Treatment thresholds
Determine pest injury levels and establishing treatment thresholds.
Decisions strategy
Decision making, developing and integrating all biological, cultural, and chemical control strategies.
Staff education
Educating personnel on all biological and chemical control strategies.
Timing and treatment
Timing and spot treatment utilizing either the chemical, biological or cultural methods.
Results monitoring
Evaluating the results of treatment through further monitoring.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for achieving high quality playing surfaces in an environmentally responsible manner:
The key objectives are to use land use design, Best Management Practices, irrigation management practices, and Integrated Pest Management coupled with state-of-the-art agronomic and cultural practices to ensure protection of environmentally sensitive areas on or near the course.
Waste
Mirimichi is currently auditing wastes from its first year in renovation and developing a continual assessment and reduction waste management program. Waste management practices will follow a 12-step process based primarily on energy use and health and includes assessing the following: 1) energy use; 2) occupant health; 3) durability and maintenance; 4) hazardous by-products; 5) energy use of manufacturing; 6) waste from manufacturing; 7) resource limitations; 8) impacts of resource extraction; 9) transportation; 10) demolition waste; 11) hazardous materials from demolition; and 12) review of results and cost comparison.
Mirimichi has secure storage for hazardous material.
Surveys
Mirimichi has undertaken a waste audit:
2010-02-22 - K. Skinner
Waste Water
Mirimichi manages its water as follows:
Discharges to:
Legally Compliant?
Formal Discharge Agreement
Clubhouse
N/A
No
N/A
Accommodation
N/A
No
N/A
Maintenance Facility
Septic Tank
Yes
N/A
Wash Pad
Closed Loop Recycling
Yes
N/A
Activities
Mirimichi undertakes the following activities to reduce resource consumption or minimise waste:
Use of eco-friendly products
Cleaners and degreasers are non-petroleum based. Parts cleaner, often most toxic substance on site, is non-toxic enzyme based.
Use of organic products
Fertilizers used are 70% slow-release or organic. Pesticide use includes natural treatment such as walnut extract.
Daily logs
Recording of daily logs include all materials consumption with monthly and annual summaries for review.
Use of biodegradable / recycled products
All disposable cups and plates used are made of 100% biodegradable material. Paper used is high percentage reused material. Hydraulic oils purchased are made from reused materials. All equipment rinse water is treated and reused for rinsing.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for reducing, re-using and recycling waste, and minimizing resource consumption at source:
Waste management and green purchasing are key factors in the decision-making process for all product use at Mirimichi.
Waste management practices follow reduce, reuse, recycle but with heavy emphasis on reduction.
Energy
Energy use at Mirimichi starts with daily logs of consumption, and follows with monthly and annual reviews. The focus is on 6 major areas: lighting, buildings, HVAC, equipment and machines, motors, and vehicles. Because Mirimichi is finishing the process of renovating in 2009 and some of 2010, emphasis will be placed on review of 2009 consumption and setting goals for reduction starting in 2010.
Consumption
Energy and fuel use in 2009
Electricity - 659500 Kwh
Gas - 1033 Cubic Metres
Diesel - 19703 Litres
Petrol - 34977 Litres
Hydralic Oil - 30.3 Litres
Mirimichi has taken the following measures to diversify energy and fuel supply:
Installation of photovoltaic and / or solar panels
Use of recycled oils
Surveys
Mirimichi has undertaken an Energy Audit:
2010-03-11 - J.R. Bodie
Carbon
Mirimichi has not begun to carbon footprint its operations.
Purchasing Policy and Sustainable Supply Chains
Mirimichi informs suppliers of its environmental preferences:
Mirimichi is continually seeking and using suppliers that offer products that are made of natural, biodegradable, post-consumer, or recyclable materials.
Purchasing policy for Mirimichi
(1 = not important; 5 = very important)
Performance Quality - 5
Price - 4
Supplier Service - 5
Durability - 5
Energy Efficiency - 5
Recycleability - 5
Pollution Risk - 5
Packaging - 5
Disposability - 5
Local Produce - 5
Activities
Activities undertaken to record energy consumption:
Staff keep daily logs of energy use and review montly and annual summaries.
Activities undertaken to reduce energy consumption:
Energy use audit will be undertaken in 2010 after first year in operation.
Green purchasing activities undertaken:
An example in Food & Beverage are water 'bottles' made of recycled cardboard and cups made from biodegradable corn starch.
An example from Janitorial includes cleaners made from enzyme and other natural cleaners.
An example from Retail includes clothing made from natural fibers and soy dyes and biodegradable tees.
An example from Golf Maintenance includes synthetic oils and enzyme-based degreasers.
Departments involved in energy saving activities:
All departments including golf, food & beverage, maintenance, business, sales & marketing, and construction will take part in the 2010 energy audit.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for reducing energy use and moving towards cleaner and renewable energy supplies:
Key objectives following the first year in renovation are to thouroughly audit energy use and set reduction and renewable energy goals for 2010.
Education & Awareness
Knowledge
Employees of Mirimichi receive the following formal and informal environmental education:
Pesticide storage, application and disposal
Efficient water management
Emergencies / accident management
Habitat and vegetation management
Waste minimisation, separation and recycling
Health and safety
Energy
Landscape and cultural heritage issues
Environmental management planning
Mirimichi keeps formal staff training records for these departments:
Greenkeeping
Administrative
Catering
Mirimichi keeps the following record of accidents in the workplace:
Number
Type
Severity
Response plans for accidents and emergency situations at Mirimichi
Details for accidents, spills, and emergencies are detailed in the facility management plan. In general, all equipment such as fire extinguishers, absorbent materials and MSDS sheets are in place and staff have been trained in their use. There is also a protocol for staff contacts and procedures in the even of an emergency
Communications
Mirimichi undertakes the following internal environmental communications:
Newsletters
Course walks
Displaying awards
Notice boards
Poster displays
Course guides / brochures
Eco tables
Nature trail
The most successful internal communications project at Mirimichi has been:
All staff have been thoroughly trained in the sustainability program at Mirimichi. Training consisted of delivering a detailed and Mirimichi-specific Employee Training Guide to each staff member in conjunction with 2-hour classroom instruction. This was followed by a site tour of important sustainable design and management areas on the course.
Mirimichi undertakes the following external environmental communications:
Website
Course walks / Open days
Press releases
Attending community meetings
Brochures
Joint practical projects with community
The most successful external communications project at Mirimichi has been:
Mirimichi staff regularly present to local community groups on topics of sustainability. In particular, a recent presentation to the Memphis Rotary Club has resulted in several follow up presentations and requests from other community organizations in the local area.
Partnerships
Mirimichi works with the following external groups:
Local environmental groups
Neighbours
Media
Local government
Local community groups
Local businesses
Authorities
The most successful partnership project at Mirimichi has been:
There are currently no formal partnerships.
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for educating and raising environmental awareness amongst staff and golfers:
Education and outreach are core priorities for Mirimichi.
The management team at Mirimichi has implemented an internal staff education program to regularly train on sustainability at Mirimich so that staff can be 'environmental ambassadors' to guests.
Mirimichi is continually looking for opportunities to 'give back' to the community that supports it, from offering reasonable golf rates and opportunites for all golf skill levels to increasing environmental awareness and successes for the local community.
Mirimichi has an Environmental Management Plan covering:
Nature
Landscape & Culture
Water
Turf
Waste
Energy
Education & Awareness
The Management plan was first introduced: 2009-05-15
Mirimichi review the management plan every:
12 Months
1 Years
Mirimichi monitor the progress of the scheme as follows:
Even the best management plans should be regularly monitored and adapted to changes in conditions and current practices. In addition to the busy schedule of scouting and reporting that is part of Integrated Pest Management for turfgrass, Mirimichi measures surface water quality quarterly, invasive exotics at least twice a year, native plant biodiversity once a year, and wildlife seasonally. The purpose of this data is to inform and adapt the management program to be most efficient and effective.
Working Group
Mirimichi has an environmental working group, comprising the following individuals/organisations:
General Manager
Course Manager
Technical Specialist
Accreditation
Mirimichi belongs to the following accreditation or award schemes:
Other
Key national environmental legislation with which Mirimichi complies:
-
Section 309 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination General Permit
-
-
-
Aims & Objectives
Mirimichi has the following key objectives for effectively planning its proactive and long-term environmental management:
Prevention of environmental problems.
Managing any problems at the source.
Conducting an environmental monitoring program that evaluates the effectiveness of the management program.
Certified 04 / 2010
