Costa Rica Country Club
Visiting CRCC proved to be an inspiring experience on the commitment to environmental conservation and social development. These values have been adopted by the entire country of Costa Rica who has pledge to become carbon-neutral by 2021, and CRCC is well on its way to achieving this goal. It is a steep benchmark, but the administrative staff at CRCC has done an amazing job in communicating these goals to the staff and motivating them to accomplish them through teamwork and with the help from scientific surveys to improve the course’s maintenance.
Fernando Calderon, GEOSA, Accredited Verifier
The scientific data obtained through...
GEO Certified™ Report
Publication of this report confirms that Costa Rica Country Club has been assessed against the GEO OnCourse™ Evaluation Criteria and awarded the GEO Certified™ ecolabel.
Each section of this report describes the sustainable golf course management activities being undertaken by the management team at Costa Rica Country Club, across the following areas:
Landscape & Ecosystems; Water; Energy & Resources; Products & Supply Chains; Environmental Quality and People & Communities.
Facility Details
Costa Rica Country Club is a private golf facility comprising:
Courses
- CRCC (10 holes, 3212 Yards, Year of opening: 1940)
Clubhouses
- CRCC, Year of opening: 1940
Maintenance Facilities
- GCM CRCC
Other
- Pro Shop
- Facilities
Landscape & Ecosystems
The Costa Rica Country club Golf Course was built over clay soil at an ancient coffee and sugarcane farm field. The club is located in San José in the middle of the metropolitan area specifically in Escazú, a part of city well known for an economic welfare of the community.
Escazú as part of San José province counts with high land topography based on the volcanic pattern of the central valley of Costa Rica. The club course is located at a wavy surface, but with slow slope and acid soils.
The weather for these area ranges between 14 and 25 degrees Celsius, the wind can reach speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour and the average precipitation is 2177 mm per year of rainfall.
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El Costa Rica Country club Golf Course, fue construido sobre una antigua finca con cafetales y cañales. Su tierra es de origen arcilloso del tipo 2:1. El club está ubicado en la provincia de San José, en el cantón de Escazú, en la actualidad esta zona es la más industrializada de la capital costarricense y es conocida también por el alto nivel económico de muchos de sus habitantes. (wikipedia 2004). El cantón forma parte de la gran área metropolitana, donde el área habitacional actual representa un 16% de la superficie de la región, la cual se estima se incremente un 32% para un total de 48% como límite máximo.
El nombre de ”Escazú” proviene de la voz indígena Itzkatzu, que significa sesteo o piedra de descanso, lo que amerita decir que era este el sitio donde descansaban o sesteaban los viajeros indígenas que iban o partían.
La localidad de Escazú donde se encuentra el Club, es una prolongación de la cordillera Volcánica Central. Existe una unidad de origen volcánico, constituida por el relleno volcánico del valle central, esta corresponde a una superficie plana ondulada. La unidad originada por la acción intrusiva se divide en dos, de las cuales, la subunidad loma del alto de las palomas, se ubica en una franja que va desde el sector noreste del cantón hasta el área al sur de villa San Antonio, esta subunidad constituye una loma alargada, las laderas son de pendiente suave, redondeadas, convexas, con muy pocas vías de drenaje superficial, es frecuente la presencia de zonas muy arcillificadas.
El clima es oscilante entre los 14 y los 25 grados centígrados, el viento puede alcanzar hasta ráfagas de hasta 50 o 60 km/h. La precipitación promedio es de 2.177 mm anuales.
Consultation & Surveys
Costa Rica Country Club consults the following organizations regarding landscape heritage conservation:
- Green Roots Consultants S.A.
- Local Government
No landscape assessments or surveys have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club.
Costa Rica Country Club consults the following organizations regarding ecosystem protection and enhancement:
- Local Government
- MINAET (Minister of Energy and Enviroment)
The following ecological surveys have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Sustainable Golf Managment Plan | Green Roots Consultants S.A. | 2011-07-27 | |
| Title | Author | Date | View Document |
|---|
Rare, protected and notable species occurring at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Cedro | Acrocarpus fraxinifolius |
| Piche canelo | Dendrocygna bicolor |
| Soterrey sabanero | Cistothorus platensis |
Costa Rica Country Club does not monitor any species as indicators of environmental quality.
Habitats & Designations
Costa Rica Country Club does not feature any landscape designations.
Area of habitats / vegetation types, and associated designations at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Non Native Plantation Woodland | 3 | Self Appointed |
| None | ||
Turfgrass
Size and estimated species composition of amenity turfgrass maintained at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Area (Hectares) | Turfgrass Species | Sward Composition | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greens | 0.339 | Cynodon transvaalensis | 100 % |
| Tees | 0.13 | Cynodon transvaalensis | 80% % |
| Axonopus compressus | 20% % | ||
| Fairways | 10.39 | Cynodon transvaalensis | 100% % |
| Rough | 7 | Axonopus compressus | 100% % |
These turfgrasses are optimal for the circumstances at Costa Rica Country Club because:
Due to tropical weather conditions this turf grasses support better the climate and perform well with less fertilization. Also this turf grasses are resistent to the soil conditions, specially the Axonopus compresus, which is a native species.
Costa Rica Country Club assesses mowing patterns:
Every six Months
Costa Rica Country Club consults the following individuals / organizations regarding its grassing plan:
- Jose Chaves Independent Golf Course Superintendant
- Orlando Rojas Engineer in Agricultural Sciences
- Johan Perret Soil Profesional
- Braj Kishore Singh Soil Profesional
Costa Rica Country Club is making the following efforts to manage the playing quality expectations of customers:
| Establishing clear internal policies for irrigation, fertilization, colour, cutting heights, overseeding etc |
The irrigation system has been improved to automated system to maintain all areas green and healthy. The fertilization programs has been changed with slow realease fertilizations to improve assimilation. Course is close once a week for maintenance. During rainy season the course is constantly supervised for drainage effects on playing areas. |
| Promoting the playing quality values of more naturalized turf, particularly fairways and semi-rough | The turf in fairways and semi rough, has been maintained as originally planted avoiding the usage or reeplanting of new turf species. |
| Promoting the financial benefits of presenting sustainable surfaces |
The fact of having a native turf grass from the area with years of naturalization or adaptation allows a more efficient use of fertilization and irrigation minimizing maintenance costs. El tener un cesped nativo del area, y un cesped con años de antiguedad y naturalizado en la zona, permite que el mantenimiento, fertilizacion, irrigacion y otros, sea mas efectivo y por ende minimizara los costos de mantenimiento ante un cesped que no este adaptado a la zona. |
| Improving customer understanding around greens maintenance | Permanent communication with golf commitee regarding golf course maintenance. |
| Demonstrating the direct relationship between environmental best practice and year round high quality playing surfaces |
We have demonstrated that the new automated irrigation system has improved the turf grass conditions. Also the use of slow release fertilizers in greens and fairways maintains a healthy turf grass for longer period of time. Se ha demostrado que la modificiacion del sistema de riego ha mejorado la textura del cesped, redundando en mejor calidad de juego. La utilizacion de slow realease fertilizers en greens y fairways permite un mantenimiento del verdor y salud del cesped a un plazo mas largo de tiempo respecto a otros fertilizantes. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Conservation & Enhancement
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve and enhance landscape character:
| Appropriately matching mowing lines to contours |
We modify the mowing angle of fairways during the dry season and rainy season to protect the turf grass. Same procedure is done daily on greens to enhance turf grass texture giving a better quality of game. Se modifica el angulo de corte durante el verano e invierno en fairways para proteger el cesped. Se modifica el angulo de corte en greens diariamente para mejorar la textura y dar cuerpo al cesped. |
| Discreet on-course signage and furniture |
Signage and sands box on tees are small made in wood with green paint. Few concrete benches are spread out in the course. |
| Conservation of specimin trees |
We have been making efforts to preserve native tree species; in fact 40 of the 68 species of trees in club are native. Se han venido realizando esfuerzos por consevar las especies de arboles nativas de la zona, actualmente de las 68 especies diferentes de arboles existentes, 40 de las especies son nativas de la zona y se conservan. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to improve the landscape ecology of the golf course:
| Minimizing the amount of amenity grass |
Manual weed control has been increasing in our golf course maintenance plan, trying to reduce the amount of chemical herbicides that have a big negative impact in the environment. Se han realizado esfuerzos por disminuir la cantidad de malezas con un control manual, cortando las malezas para que estas sean ahogadas por el cesped principalmente en el verano. |
| Increasing the size of habitat patches |
We have been planting fruit trees for the alimentation of native and migratory birds, enhancing there environmental locations. Se han sembrado arboles frutales, con el fin de mejorar el paso de las aves migratorias y de brindar un mejor ambiente para su alimentación. |
| Connection of internal habitat patches |
We have been planting fruit trees for the alimentation of native and migratory birds, enhancing there environmental locations. Se han relizado esfuerzos por unir el area de arboles y arbustos para mejorar el paso de los animales. Se ha repoblado y renovado continuamente arboles enfermos para evitar huecos entre los roughs. |
| Connection of patches with external habitats |
There is no specific connection with external habitats but there are multiple green patches surrounding the club and that makes possible the movement of wildlife to bigger forest such as the Pico Blanco Mountain. Si bien no existen corredores especificos para el movimiento de especies animales, existe en todo el pais areas verdes que colindan con la vida natural de las areas limitrofes de la ciudad. Dicho sea de paso, en el canton de escazu la municipalidad y otros grupos de apoyo, reforestan las orillas de calle y parque municipales a menudo y estos ayudan al moviento de las aves y otros animales hacia los bosques colindantes en los cerros a escazu. (San Antonio, Montaña Pico Blanco, Bebedero, etc.) |
| Improving and diversifying habitat edges |
We have been making efforts to enhance the habitat edges keeping the trees and planting new ones to protect mostly bird habitats. Se han realizado esfuerzos por mejorar los bordes de los habitat principalmente de especies de aves evidentes en el campo de golf, manteniendo los arboles necesarios para no interferir con la vida de estos y el juego de los golfistas. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to improve the quality of habitats on the golf course:
| Creation of botanically rich rough grassland |
The golf course roughs at the CRCC have more than 70 different species of trees mostly native old trees creating a perfect habitat for birds and animals. Multiple efforts have been done in aspects of renovation and reforestation of the forest density in the roughs. Los roughs del campo de golf, son en su mayoria poblados de mas de sesenta tipos diferentes de arboles, muchos de estos nativos de la zona, lo que proporciona recurso para la proliferacio de aves y otros animales. Se han hecho multiples esfuerzos por reforestar y renovar esta población de arboles dentro de los roughs. |
| Ecologically informed management of scrub vegetation |
Green Roots Consultants made a detail study of the amount of trees and total of carbon dioxide fixed by these trees; also an ecological management plan is apply to the forest patches. Se ha realizado un estudio minucioso de los arboles del campo por Green Roots Consultants S.A. Determinando un plan de manejo ecologico para brindar las mejores condiciones amigables dentro del campo de golf. |
| Promoting species and structually diverse woodlands |
Efforts are being made to promote the plantation of native tree species that can contribute to the dissemination and multiplication of animals and insect species of the area. Se realizan esfuerzos por pcomover variedades de especies nativas que contribuyan a la diseminación y multiplicacion de especies animales e insectos nativas de la zona, como lo son los casos de robles sabanas, amarillones, etc. |
| Maintenance of an appropriate balance of open water and aquatic vegetation |
The water used for irrigation comes from an artificial lake which is supplied by the river as part of a water concession. Aquatic vegetation of the river is not affected and the Green Roots Consultants made water analysis before and after the water is used. En cuanto a las aguas, las aguas utilizadas para el riego dentro del campo de golf provienen de un lago artificial el cual es abastecido por el rio, como parte de una concesion de agua. Basicamente esta se mueve dentro del lago pues tiene la salida como la entrada en flujo permanente para no afectar el caudal del rio, unicamente para cuando se hace la aplicacion de riego necesaria. La vida vegetal dentro del rio no se ve afectada y los analisis de agua del rio realizados por Green Roots Consultants S.A. demuestran que no hay mayor contaminación en el agua que la existente antes de entrar a las instalaciones del club por lo que favorece al mantenimiento de la vegetación acuatica. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve and enhance biodiversity on the golf course:
| Provision of nesting and nectar for pollinators |
All trees with nesting are protected and for landscape we use a lot of flowers that provide nectar to different kinds of pollinators. En el club se hacen esfuerzos por no tocar de manera invasiba, arboles los cuales posean nidos de pajaros protegidos, asi mismo se encuentran arboles con flores y frutales los cuales atraen grupos de abejas y otros insectos, los cuales son manejados o trasladados de arboles en el unico caso que sean un riesgo para los jugadores, de lo contrario se dejan estos en su ambiente natural. |
| Provision of feeding tables |
Low-quality fruit is used to feed bird at the surrounding parts of the club. Dentro del club, se han hecho esfuerzos por alimentar con fruta de desecho de buena calidad, proveniente de los restaurantes a pajaros, ardillas y otros animales. Estas frutas son puestas en diferentes comederos a lo largo del club. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Water
Underground water is used for human consumption and domestic purposes at the Costa Rica Country club only following the sanitary standards and regulations of the local government.
For irrigation purposes, surface water is obtained from a river that passes through out the property. The water taken from the river is stored in an artificial lake and then pumped to the different parts of the course. The automated irrigation system allows to maintain an efficient water use on course.
Sources & Consumption
The following water audits have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Water Quantity and Quality | Green Roots Consultants S.A. | 2011-07-07 | |
| Title | Author | Date | View Document |
|---|
The water used at Costa Rica Country Club is drawn from the following sources:
| 2010 | Sources | % of supply | Total Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse | Groundwater | 90 | 41304800 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 | ||
| Golf Course | Surface | 100 | 93,060,000 Litres |
| Maintenance Facility | Groundwater | 90 | 10326200 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 |
| 2009 | Sources | % of supply | Total Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse | Groundwater | 90 | 42671200 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 | ||
| Golf Course | Surface | 100 | 116,325,000 Litres |
| Maintenance Facility | Groundwater | 90 | 10667800 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 |
| 2008 | Sources | % of supply | Total Consumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clubhouse | Groundwater | 90 | 43194400 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 | ||
| Golf Course | Surface | 100 | 116,325,000 Litres |
| Maintenance Facility | Groundwater | 90 | 10798600 Litres |
| Public / Potable | 10 |
Irrigation & Efficiency
The following areas receive irrigation at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Greens | Daily |
| Tees | Daily |
| Fairways | Daily |
| Semi-Rough | Never |
| Rough | Never |
| Club House Gardens | Weekly |
The irrigation system at Costa Rica Country Club is:
Fully computer controlled
Serviced every Once Months
Upgraded every Two Year(s)
Re-calibrated and checked for efficient application every Once Months
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to maximize irrigation efficiency:
| Selection of grass species | Only native species of turf are selected to maximize irrigation efficiency |
| Soil decompaction and thatch management |
All the greens and fairways are decompacted twice a year with empty tines to improve the oxigenation. The tatch management is applied twice a year in fairways and once a month in greens. |
| Timing and dose of water application |
30 minutes of irrigation is applied daily on all greens, tees and fairways during dry season. 15 minutes of irrigation is applied daily on all greens, tees and fairways during rainy season. Timing variations may apply according to turf and soil conditions |
| Analysis of soil moisture | A TDR equipment is use to improve the irrigation process once a year. |
| Incorporation of evapotranspiration rates and weather data | Local weather information is obtained from weather authorities to proceed with variations on irrigation and fertilization process. |
| Targeting of sprinkler heads | Due to wind factor and other weather conditions, with consequences on specific areas, sprinkler heads targeting is constantly perform. |
| Optimizing system pressure | An automated irrigation Site Pro central control system is use to control the pressure. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve / reduce / minimise water consumption:
| Repairing leaks | Permanent supervision of possible leaks is perfom daily. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Energy & Resources
At Costa Rica Country Club our energy sources comes from a government company (CNFL), these energy is produced mainly in hydroelectric plants ensuring the use of renewable energy.
Also for water heating we use steam based on the combustion of bunker, but knowing and recognizing that the use of fossil fuels is not a long term opportunity we have been looking for alternatives such as water heating with solar panels.
For the golf course maintenance equipment we demand gasoline and diesel and for cooking is used liquid propane gas. Hopefully in the future we can change those resources for biodiesel and biogas both produced at the club.
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En el club se utiliza energía electrica suministrada por la CNFL, esta es producida en centrales hidroelétricas mayormente, por lo que se garantiza el uso de energía renovable.
Para la producción de vapor se utilizan combustibles fósiles como bunker para calefacción de agua, así como gasolina y diesel para la maquinaria de campo y GLP para los equipos de cocina.
Estamos buscando alternativas para generar energía limpia a traves de paneles solares para la calefacción de agua.
Sources & Consumption
No energy surveys have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club.
Consumption of renewable energy and resources at Costa Rica Country Club:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1401390 | 132499 | 1300937 |
Consumption of non-renewable energy and resources at Costa Rica Country Club:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4750 | 4950 | 5040 | |
| 172763 | 171002 | 189382 | |
| 56502 | 54680 | 52857 |
Energy Efficiency
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to diversify energy and fuel supply:
| Use of Liqueified Petroleum Gas (LPG) | Costa Rica Country Club counts with 5 restaurants at the club house. Most of the food at this restaurants is cooked on LPG kitchens, diversifying the energy demand. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club is undertaking the following activities to reduce energy consumption:
| Investment in low-energy heating and air conditioning systems | Se han comprado equipos de bajo consumo energético para sustituir equipos, además en el club se prioriza el uso de la ventilación natural para minimizar el uso de equipos de A/C |
| Installation of low-energy lighting | se ha iniciado un proyecto de sustitución de las luces incandescentes por luces fluorescentes, e incluso se está analizando sustituir las fluorescentes por LED |
| Use of motion sensor lighting | Todos los baños cuentan con sensores de movimiento para que no se tengan las luces encendidas si no se están utilizando |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Vehicles & Transport
The maintenance fleet at Costa Rica Country Club uses the following fuel sources:
| Ride-on Mowers | Walking Mowers | Utility Vehicles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | |||
| 100% | |||
Additional vehicles operated by Costa Rica Country Club use the following fuel sources:
| Golf Carts | Cars | Buses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | |||
Costa Rica Country Club has established the following schemes to encourage reductions in staff and customer transport emissions:
| Group transportation (e.g. buses) |
80% of the staff is from the surrounding areas, close to the Costa Rica Country club, so most of the staff travel by bus or on foot. This helps reduce the amount of CO2 emisions cause by traveling to work every day. |
| Secure cycle parking | Costa Rica Country club counts with a secure parking area not only for bicycles, but also for motorcycle wich is a less pollutant vehicle compare to other means of transport. |
| Staff showers | The staff counts with 6 showers to use after work period in case they fill is necessary. Each shower cointains soap for an adequate cleaning. |
| Promotion of walk to work campaigns | It has not been necessary to promote a walk to work campaign because most of the staff lives close to the club. So workers by them selfs prefer to get to work by walking. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Products & Supply Chains
At the Costa Rica Country Club we offer different services that force as to have an extensive supply chain, specially food and beverage products are required day by day do to the demand of the restaurants own by the club.
Most of the suppliers are from the local metropolitan area where the club is located, even do some of them are transnational we try to purchase the most local and environmental friendly products that we can, a clear example of that is cleaning of all the facilities with biodegradable products made and commercialized by a local enterprise named Biotec S.A.
In terms of our turf management program we establish to buy all the supplies we need at a local cooperative of agricultural products named COOPASAE S.A. located nearby the club. Also we classify and recycle our waste at the recycling center of the club promoting staff and customer environmental education.
Purchasing Policies
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following ethical / environmental purchasing activities:
| Use of local suppliers | Do to the metropolitan location of the Costa Rica Country Club most of the suppliers are close to the club installations. CRCC is located in Escazú at San Jose province and most of suppliers are from Heredia, Alajuela, Cartago and San José, provinces that are within 100 kilometers from the club. |
| Selection of certified products | All products for cleaning the facilities come from an enterprise named Biotec Centroamericana S.A. that provides biodegradables cleaning products that minimize environmental impacts. |
| Use of recycled and recyclable products | Most beverages consumed at the club come on plastic, aluminum or glass bottles which are totally recyclable products. These bottles are classified at different trash cans and then taken to the recycling center of the club where the WPP Company picks up the material and gives an appropriate management. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Economic Multiplier
An overview of the supplier network at Costa Rica Country Club:
| Total number of suppliers | Total number of suppliers within 10 Kilometres | Total number of suppliers within 100 Kilometres | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62 | 7 | 55 | |
| 27 | 3 | 24 | |
| 4 | 4 | ||
| 46 | 8 | 38 | |
| 1 | 1 |
Turfgrass Inputs
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following IPM activities:
| Managing stress and wear | We manage stress and wear through an adequate irrigation depending on the demand, daily mowing of green and weekly mowing of fairways to maintain a healthy turf grass. Also in dry season we use high cuttings to increase moisture and low cuttings in wet season to reduce moisture. |
| Enhancement of soil structure | To enhance soil structure we use aerification that has a long term benefit of the golf course, also sand is apply frequently to greens. |
| Optimization of the growing environment | Verticut is used twice a year on fairways and once a month on greens and tees that way we have an optimization of the growing environment. |
| Managing surface moisture | In dry season we use high cuttings to increase moisture and low cuttings in wet season to reduce moisture. This managing allows as making a more efficient use of irrigation water and better pest and diseases control. |
| Scouting for pests and diseases | The greenkeeper of the golf course is in charge of making a daily visual check on possible appearances of pest and diseases. If the greenkeeper identifies any possible risk he will immediately let now the problem to the superintendent or he’s assistant. |
| Monitoring / improvement of plant health | The superintendent and he’s assistant are constantly monitoring the turfgrass health in case any part of the course requires an additional fertilization or other management procedure. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Fertilizer use at Costa Rica Country Club in the last three years:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic | Inorganic | Organic | Inorganic | Organic | Inorganic | ||
| Greens | N | 211.6 kg | 263.1 kg | 207.4 kg | |||
| P | 14.8 kg | 15.2 kg | 23.6 kg | ||||
| K | 199.9 kg | 325.9 kg | 167.7 kg | ||||
| Tees | N | 34 kg | |||||
| P | |||||||
| K | |||||||
| Fairways | N | 547 kg | 437 kg | ||||
| P | 239 kg | 40 kg | |||||
| K | 456 kg | 364 kg | |||||
Pesticide use at Costa Rica Country Club in the last three years:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic | Inorganic | Organic | Inorganic | Organic | Inorganic | ||
| Greens | Fungicide | 5 kg | 18 kg | ||||
| Herbicide | 15.4 kg | 4.6 kg | |||||
| Insecticide | 7.2 kg | 14.4 kg | |||||
| Tees | Fungicide | ||||||
| Herbicide | 2 kg | 1.4 kg | |||||
| Insecticide | |||||||
| Fairways | Fungicide | ||||||
| Herbicide | 64.3 kg | 18.8 kg | |||||
| Insecticide | |||||||
| Rough | Fungicide | ||||||
| Herbicide | 0.82 kg | ||||||
| Insecticide | |||||||
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following actions to optimize pesticide use:
| Selection on the least toxic and lest persistant products | Of all pesticides used at the Costa Rica Country Club golf course 86% are green tag products which are slightly toxic and low or non residual at soil level and ground waters. |
| Selection of appropriate products for specific pests and diseases | If a new pest or diseases problem is identified we make sure that the product that will be used is the appropriate one, by previous invetigation. We also try to rotate the active ingredient of products to avoid pests or diseases resistance. |
| Calibration and testing of sprayers | Handpumps are use to apply pesticides, this makes a more specific application of the products. This handpumps are calibrated and tested frequently. |
| Non-chemical weed control | Most of our weed control is non-chemical, almost all weeds are removed manually specially in greens. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Waste Management
No waste audits have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club.
Costa Rica Country Club manages key waste streams as follows:
| Re-use | Recycle | Landfill | Incinerate | |
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Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following activities to continue the lifecycle of materials and resources:
| Separation of recyclable materials | All the club facilities and course sectors have two dumps, one for recyclable material and another one for non-recyclabe that will be pick up by the local goberment. The recyclable material is taken by a recycling company named WPP. |
| Establishment of recycling centers | We count with an small but well manage recycling center where all the recyclable material come and gets classified to be picked by the WPP recycling company. |
| Returning clipping to fairways and walkways | All clipping is compost with another organic waste generated at the club and then applied to gardens. |
| Education of staff and customer education | The CRCC focuses on a waste management plan that has its basis on reducing, reusing and recycing materials. All staff, customers and visitors are educated through the sepatation of recyclable materials. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Environmental Quality
At the Costa Rica Country Club we have been trying to prevent all negative environmental impacts that our business can cause, focusing on the quality of water we used and waste, promoting the plantation and conservation of natives tree species for CO2 capturing and the soil quality of the area that belongs to the club and its surroundings.
We also focus on preventing accidents that can cause damage to persons and nature do to the manipulation of dangerous substances such as pesticides and fuels used in the maintenance of our facilities, that’s why we count with an emergency brigade well train for any circumstances.
Water Analysis
Costa Rica Country Club monitors water quality with the following frequency:
| Chemical | Biological | Visual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly | Yearly | Daily | |
| Yearly | Yearly | Daily |
Waste Water
Waste water from Costa Rica Country Club is managed as follows:
| Discharges to | Formal Discharge Agreement | |
|---|---|---|
| Detention Pond | Y | |
| On-Site Treatment Plant | Y | |
| On-Site Treatment Plant | Y | |
| On-Site Treatment Plant | Y |
Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials at Costa Rica Country Club are handled and disposed of as follows:
| Secure Storage | Registered Uplift | |
|---|---|---|
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Pollution Prevention
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following activities to prevent pollution from its maintenance facility and clubhouse:
| Storage of equipment and hazardous products on covered, sealed impervious areas | All dangerous equipment and hazardous products are well cover, seal and stored at an appropriet warehouse depending if is for maintenance of the facilities, the golf course or the clubhouse. |
| Maintenance of equipment on covered, sealed impervious areas | They are designated areas for all the equipment that belong to the maintenance of the golf course and the facilities. All equipment is washed after its use and sealed at the warehouse that belongs. |
| Mixing of pesticides and fertilizers in covered areas | There is a designated covered area to store all pesticides and fertilizers, that also has its space to make the appropriate mixing of the golf course inputs. |
| Mixing of pesticides and fertilizers over impervious surfaces | The area designated and use for mixing pesticides and fertilizer has an epoxy suface coat that prevents any filtration and pollution to the soil and eventually to the water. |
| Installation of above-ground fuel tanks | At the golf course maintenance warehouse are 2 above-ground fuel tanks of 200 lts, one is used for diesel and the other one for gasoline. Each tank is 40 cm above the ground level. |
| Installation of sufficient secondary containment for fuel | There are same number of empty tanks has there are in used (2) for any emergency or outpouring of diesel or gasoline. |
| Provision of containment booms and absorbent materials | We hace a sufficient provision of sand that is an excelent abserbent material and case we hace a significant leak to control. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following activities to prevent pollution on its golf course:
| Eliminating leachate and run-off through careful timing of turf inputs | For turfgrass nutrition we use slow release fertilizer that eliminate leaching problems. |
| Establishment of vegetative buffer strips around water bodies | Buffer zone of diferent especies of native trees is establish by the river that passes by the property, trying to avoid surface and under water pollution. |
| Establishment of emergency spillage response plan |
As part of our emergency spillage response plan we showers for any person that is in contact with pesticides and is under the risk of spillage, even do most of the pesticides that we use are low toxic. Also we have and emergency brigade with an well professionally design emergency plan. |
| Controlling erosion and sediment discharge | All across the golf course we count with ground coverage that prevents erosion and sediment discharge. |
| Establishment of pesticide-free zones | Our vegetative buffer strip zone and all rough and semi-rough are pesticide free zones. |
| Use of biological products | We have been testing organic products for soil nutrition and pests and diseases control. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
People & Communities
The Costa Rica Country Club works hand on hand with the local government (Municipality) in housing, health and security issues as part of an ongoing responsible program. Also we try to ecologically educate people through a waste management plan that is operating at the club.
We try to instruct local persons from the Escazú area and nearby communities to increase the number of local staff working at the club. A clear example is that over 80% of the staff is from the area providing local development and welfare to the communities.
Employment & Education
Typical staffing levels at Costa Rica Country Club are:
| Full Time | Part Time | Seasonal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 66 | 25 | ||
| 27 | |||
| 47 | |||
| 18 | 12 | ||
| 13 |
The environmental working group at Costa Rica Country Club is comprised of:
- Owner
- General Manager
- Course Manager
- Committee Members
- Technical Specialist
- Local Government
- Local Community
- Local Enviroment NGO
Employees at Costa Rica Country Club receive the following formal and informal environmental education:
| Storage, application and disposal of pesticides |
Staff received trainning on correct use of pesticides. Pesticides are kept in an area far away from main building and neighborhood, avoiding possible contamination of any local water supply sistem. Some trainning is provided by suppliers. |
| Efficient water management |
No tap water is used to irrigate course. Well water is use for consumption. |
| Management of accidents and emergencies |
Have a committee organized for assitance on emergencies and labor accidents. An Emergency Plan has been designed and approved by the Minister of health. |
| Management of habitats and vegetation |
Flora has been identified within the Club grounds, and record of species, age, GPS, width and height is kept of more than 1200 trees. A constant replanting program is done using local species. Involvement by Club members and their families integrate this replanting program, and also the Costa Rica Country Club assist in local community replanting programs. |
| Waste minimalisation, separation and recycling |
A waste separation area has been built in a covered area with air conditioned. Local government collects all recycled material twice a week. Waste recycle program identified in all areas of the Club. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Community Relations
Costa Rica Country Club engages with local community groups in the following manner:
| Local Government |
Permanent contact with local government for assistance and support on issues of interest. Taxes are paid periodically on schedule. |
| Local Community Groups | The Club supports Casa Siembra, a NPO assisting children with family problems. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Land Use & Cultural Heritage
Costa Rica Country Club does not provides access or diversified land use for others.
No archaeological or heritage surveys have been undertaken at Costa Rica Country Club.
Costa Rica Country Club does not consult any organizations regarding the conservation of cultural heritage.
Costa Rica Country Club undertakes the following activities to conserve cultural heritage features:
| Buildings (Listed Buildings / Ancient Monuments etc) | The Costa Rica Country Club was established 70 years ago within cattle and sugar cane fields. There are no ancient monuments or buildings within its grounds. |
| Archaeology (Settlements / Agricultural System etc) | None found within the Country Club grounds |
| Historic Features (Hedgerows / Dykes / Moats / Cairns etc) | None located within the Country club grounds. |
| Activity | Description |
|---|
Communications
Costa Rica Country Club does not undertake any internal environmental communications.
Costa Rica Country Club does not undertake any social or environmental advocacy.
