Highlands Country Club

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    Highlands Country Club
    981 Dillard Road
    Highlands , North Carolina, United States,
    28741

    Telephone: 828-371-0382
    Fax: 828-526-9608

Founded in 1928, Highlands Country Club is supported by a geographically wide membership that is very much in tune with the sustainability of their golf facility. From the club’s inception, the members have valued the close connection with the diverse flora and fauna of the surrounding temperate rain forest, and sought to be a constructive and supportive participant in the town of Highlands, North Carolina.

Inspired by the natural beauty and ecological diversity of the Highlands Plateau, and an outstanding golf course designed by Donald Ross in 1928, the Club’s founders engendered a...

Tom Mead, GEOSA, Accredited Verifier

Read Verifier report

GEO Certified™ Report

Publication of this report confirms that Highlands 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 Highlands Country Club, across the following areas:

Landscape & Ecosystems; Water; Energy & Resources; Products & Supply Chains; Environmental Quality and People & Communities.

Facility Details

Highlands Country Club is a private golf facility comprising:

Courses

  • Highlands Country Club (18 holes, 6255 Yards, Year of opening: 1928)

Clubhouses

  • Highlands Country Club, Year of opening: 2005

Maintenance Facilities

  • GCM Highlands

Other

  • Pro Shop
  • Facilities
  • Halfway House
  • On Course WC
  • Life Enrichment Center (Spa & Fitness)
  • Employee Cottages (3)
  • Administration Building
  • Pool

Landscape & Ecosystems

Highlands Country Club is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Highlands, North Carolina. The general landscape is very mountainous with natural rivers and lakes throughout. Highlands is classified as a temperate rain forest with over 86'' of rain annually. With native fescues and enormous evergreen hemlocks it is a great environment for exotic and endangered animals. During spring months rain is almost always in the forecast, while the summer brings cool morning and warm daytime temperatures of on avg 70 degrees. Winter tends to be challenging with large snowfalls and heavy freezing and thawing with temps as low as -5. Although Highlands is not known to many, it is considered a jewel of nature for it scenic waterfalls, pristine mountains, diverse animals, and overall captivating beauty of the Appalachians.

Consultation & Surveys

Highlands Country Club consults the following organizations regarding landscape heritage conservation:

  • Jackson Macon Conservation Alliance

The following landscape assessments and surveys have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club:

Ground Water Guardian Program Christian Drake 2011-03-23
Title Author Date View Document

Highlands Country Club consults the following organizations regarding ecosystem protection and enhancement:

  • Highlands Biological Station

The following ecological surveys have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club:

Salamander Research Study Mark Mackey 2011-03-23
Title Author Date View Document

Rare, protected and notable species occurring at Highlands Country Club:
Carolina Northern Flying Squirrel Glaucomys Sabrinus Coloratus

Highlands Country Club regularly monitors the following species as indicators of environmental quality:
Bog Jack-in-the pulpit Arisaema triphyllum
Fraiser Fir Abies fraseri
Paper/White Birch Betula papyrifera

Habitats & Designations

Highlands Country Club features the following landscape designations:

Ground Water Green Site Ground Water Foundation
Audobon Cooperative Sanctuary Audobon International

Area of habitats / vegetation types, and associated designations at Highlands Country Club:

Rough 'ecological' grassland 4 Local Government
Scrub Vegetation 2 None
Native Woodland 30 Local Government
Non Native Plantation Woodland 8 Self Appointed
Wetlands 5 Local Government
Open Water Features 6 Self Appointed
Heater and other dwarf shrub communities 3 Self Appointed

Turfgrass

Size and estimated species composition of amenity turfgrass maintained at Highlands Country Club:

Area (Acres) Turfgrass Species Sward Composition
Greens 3 Agrostis stolonifera 70 %
  Poa annua 30 %
Tees 2 Agrostis stolonifera 70 %
  Poa annua 30 %
Fairways 25 Agrostis stolonifera 90 %
  Poa annua 10 %
Semi-Rough 3 Poa pratensis 90 %
  Poa annua 10 %
Rough 40 Poa pratensis 90 %
  Poa annua 10 %
Other 2 Festuca rubra 100 %

These turfgrasses are optimal for the circumstances at Highlands Country Club because:

Turfgrass is chosen for optimal quality with the least amount of water, while still supporting and sustaining an amazing golf course. The chosen grasses are also the most resistant, based on the conditions, to pest and disease infestation.

Highlands Country Club assesses mowing patterns:

Every 3 Months

Highlands Country Club consults the following individuals / organizations regarding its grassing plan:

  • Fazio Design

Highlands 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 At HCC we have set and appointed guidlines that are followed in cultural practices, such as no overseeding in fall to reduce nitrogen usage, and also cutting heights are altered to reduce mowing frequencies.
Promoting the playing quality values of more naturalized turf, particularly fairways and semi-rough Annually at HCC we add areas of tall fescue to reduce mowing area, and also reduce irrigation frequency and amount.
Promoting the financial benefits of presenting sustainable surfaces Monthly budget meetings are held to insure total understanding of financial usages for the golf course and landscape areas.
Improving customer understanding around greens maintenance During the season weekly meetings are held with staff, and also members to promote understanding and usage of fertilizers and pesticides.
Demonstrating the direct relationship between environmental best practice and year round high quality playing surfaces We have sustained an ideal balance by adding native grasses and vegetation, while also reducing bentgrass encroachment in the rough areas to reduce water output, while also soil testing to ensure proper nutrient levels in soil.
Activity Description

Conservation & Enhancement

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve and enhance landscape character:

Appropriately matching mowing lines to contours Weekly, fairways are mowed to a light dark pattern to ensure contour definition and reduce wear on the turfgrass.
Protection and restoration of historic features Original steps from the club house, located by the office, have been retained and maintained along with original irrigation sections in and around the golf course.
Discreet on-course signage and furniture Signs and furniture on the golf course are painted natural colors to blend with the environment, while signs are kept to a minimum and have a very natural appearance.
Conservation of specimin trees Hemlocks are treated annually to prevent Woolly Adelgid infestation, and also are tagged when treated for public knowledge.
Screening and softening unsightly man-made features Man made features such as irrigation boxes, and rain shelters are all painted natural colours and masked with low gloss paint to reduce a shiny texture given by most paints.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to improve the landscape ecology of the golf course:

Minimizing the amount of amenity grass Each year, based on the amount of trees fallen or debris cleared, we attempt to only replace amenity grass upon necessity and instead replace with native fescue.
Increasing the size of habitat patches Overall we try to increase habitat patches in order to help with animal diversity and also continually improve the wildlife that thrives on the course already.
Creation of habitat corridors Habitat corridor studies are being planned and underway in the very near future to help understand our overall impact on the habitat and environment.
Avoidance of habitat fragmentation There has been no overall encroachment or impact of the habitats and none are planned for the upcoming future of the golf course.
Improving and diversifying habitat edges Habitat edges are established by native fescue grasses and help establish boundaries to make the crew more knowledgeable of locations and restrictions of those locations. We also trim underbrush and seeding sensitive areas to help reduce erosion and wash out of trees and shrubs.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to improve the quality of habitats on the golf course:

Creation of botanically rich rough grassland Native areas between holes and in the deep rough contain strong diverse native plant species making for an overall botanically rich area.
Ecologically informed management of scrub vegetation The on-site landscaper is fully educated and knowledgeable on how to properly maintain scub vegetation.
Promoting species and structually diverse woodlands Native woodlands are full of large hemlocks which are treated for the Wooly Adelgid while large pine trees and hardwoods grow vivaciously. We also trim underbrush and seeding sensitive areas to help reduce erosion and wash out of trees and shrubs.
Maintenance of an appropriate balance of open water and aquatic vegetation Monthly, a certified aquatic regulatory group comes to treat the ponds and streams located on courses and also makes suggestions on how to treat culturally in day to day operation.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve and enhance biodiversity on the golf course:

Provision of nesting and nectar for pollinators Nest boxes are anually checked and fixed based on the necessity of each box, if the boxes are in need of a full rebuild the nests are transplanted. If the box simply requires fixing, it is done on site.
Installation of nest boxes Nest boxes are installed annually, are well used and are helping to support a diverse bird filled environment - and bring this to the attention of our members.
Control / management of alien species There is, overall, no invasive species found on property here at Highlands Country cCub.
Creation of micro-habitats (eg log and stone piles) During large storms multiple trees can fall on or near the golf course, when this happens the logs and trees are transfered to woodlines along with any large rocks that may be washed out to provide habitats for smaller animals.
Activity Description

Water

Water use at Highlands Country Club is obtained from a large pond out on the course. The water in the pond is fed from a creek above, and which flows all season long. We use this source because it is an excellent renewable resource, that is never in danger of shortage because of the huge number of springs, large wells and runoff from the the mountains. Irrigation practices are kept to a minimum by hand-watering on most occasions - especially on greens. Each irrigation head is checked and adjusted to improve efficiency of application.

Sources & Consumption

No water audits have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club.

The water used at Highlands Country Club is drawn from the following sources:

2010 Sources % of supply Total Consumption
Clubhouse Public / Potable 100 582,263 Gallons
Golf Course Surface 100 7,456,852 Gallons
Maintenance Facility Public / Potable 100 258,493 Gallons
2009 Sources % of supply Total Consumption
Clubhouse Public / Potable 100 525,159 Gallons
Golf Course Surface 100 7,586,493 Gallons
Maintenance Facility Public / Potable 100 257,123 Gallons
2008 Sources % of supply Total Consumption
Clubhouse Public / Potable 100 593,452 Gallons
Golf Course Surface 100 7,985,452 Gallons
Maintenance Facility Public / Potable 100 268,325 Gallons

Irrigation & Efficiency

The following areas receive irrigation at Highlands Country Club:

Greens Weekly
Tees Weekly
Fairways Weekly
Semi-Rough Weekly
Rough Weekly
Native Fescue Never

The irrigation system at Highlands Country Club is:

Fully computer controlled

Serviced every 1 Months

Upgraded every 3-4 Year(s)

Re-calibrated and checked for efficient application every 6 Months

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to maximize irrigation efficiency:

Selection of grass species Grass species are selected based on the environment, reducing the necessity to water while sustaining an appealing golf course appearance.
Soil decompaction and thatch management Soil and thatch management is a never ending process at HCC, we Graden 2 directions annually, while also aerifying many times a year.
Timing and dose of water application Water applications are weather based, however, we keep watering to a minimum by hand syringing and also by using the specially designed programs on the irrigation systems.
Analysis of soil moisture Each month, soil samples are sent off to multiple labritories to help with water management while also keeping fertility at an optimum level.
Use of wetting agents Soakers, and wetting agents to help with re-wetting of the soil are applied to dry areas to reduce watering frequency and improve overall turf health.
Targeting of sprinkler heads Each sprinkler head is calibrated and adjusted every 6 months or sooner if needed to help target water and make sure it is being applied to the proper areas.
Optimizing system pressure System pressure is monitored by the superintendent to be kept to the level needed for proper watering while sustaining a well balanced irrigation program.
Adoption of cutting edge nozzle technology Nozzels are added to our Toro irrigation heads to help with perfecting water application to certain grass areas while reducing overall water usage.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to conserve / reduce / minimise water consumption:

Use of efficient shower technology Eye wash showers are serviced regularly for leaks and drips along with showers to reduce water usage in the maintenance areas.
Repairing leaks Leaks are repaired when they occur to minimize water loss and possible ground water contamination.
Water awareness signage Signs for groundwater conservation are posted in the maintenance shop while more signs for water conservation are planning to be posted.
Activity Description

Energy & Resources

At Highlands Country Club, we strive to be as energy efficient as possible. During the past year, we have become locally certified as a green site, which includes an energy efficent section that takes into account all energy usages. Also we have implemented a plan to take strides towards reducing emmissions through the selection of hybrid and electrical equipment. Ultimately at Highlands Country Club we take serious consideration to our carbon footprint and potential impact on the earth's atmosphere. We provide a solid work environment while also conciously understanding the importance of each individuals responsibility, by stressing things as simple as turning out lights when finished, and using programmable thermostats.

Sources & Consumption

No energy surveys have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club.

Consumption of renewable energy and resources at Highlands Country Club:

  2010 2009 2008
250 200 265

Consumption of non-renewable energy and resources at Highlands Country Club:

  2010 2009 2008
437559 458966 492521
2975.6 4021.5 3867.2
10052.7 12675.3 10065.8
10 14 20
36755 38525 40373

Energy Efficiency

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to diversify energy and fuel supply:

Use of biodiesel and /or ethanol For the last few years we have been introducing a proportion of biodiesel into our fuel mix.
Use of electric hybrid vehicles 61 out of our 76 golf carts are electrically powered.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club is undertaking the following activities to reduce energy consumption:

Optimizing themostat levels for heating and refridgeration At HCC we limit the number of staff members in charge of thermostat levels to reduce cost and energy output for maintenance builings.
Upgrading of building insulation Recently a new energy efficient chemical storage area was installed along with a thermostat to provide heating and cooling for the chemicals to be properly stored.
Use of timers with appliances, heating and lighting Clubhouse lighting, and Life Enrichment Center lighting are all on timers to provide best possible results while proving to be energy efficient.
Educating staff and customers During meetings each staff member is presented with energy information to help remember things simply like turning off lights and keeping doors shut during colder months.
Activity Description

Vehicles & Transport

The maintenance fleet at Highlands Country Club uses the following fuel sources:

  Ride-on Mowers Walking Mowers Utility Vehicles
35% 100% 100%
65%

Additional vehicles operated by Highlands Country Club use the following fuel sources:

  Golf Carts Cars Buses
21% 100%
79%

Highlands Country Club has established the following schemes to encourage reductions in staff and customer transport emissions:

Car sharing incentives Many crew members are encouraged to carpool, and multiple members of the crew do ride together daily.
Secure cycle parking If any crew member chooses to ride a bike to work, safe storage is offered daily.
Increasing equipment storage (e.g. lockers) Each employee is offered a locker throughout the year to help provide storage and also a room to keep valuables.
Staff showers The maintenance shop is equipped with two showers in the mens and womens rest rooms. If needed any employee is allowed to shower before or after work.
Activity Description

Products & Supply Chains

Overall at Highlands Country Club, we are located in a very remote area made up of small community based businesses. This means we have to focus on local suppliers, but also means that we can be limited by the amount of local suppliers available - especially for niche golfing products. Overall we use many local suppliers and recycle our business back into those communities. We have yet to implement any audit of our international suppliers and plan to develop relations upon a cost basis. In terms of waste management, the club house recycles twice weekly all of the waste generated and the maintenance shop is developing a recyling program very soon. Highlands Country Club staff want to be very eco-friendly and strive to find new and improved ways to lighten our impact on the earth.

Purchasing Policies

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following ethical / environmental purchasing activities:

Use of local suppliers Each local supplier, although there are few, is utilized and prefered upon any basis.
Selection of certified products The chef at the club, uses certified organic foods in all meals at the club daily.
Use of recycled and recyclable products All cups and catering items used in the club house and hudson house are eco friendly and recyclable, along with cups and dinnerwear used in the maintenance shop.
Activity Description

Economic Multiplier

An overview of the supplier network at Highlands Country Club:

  Total number of suppliers Total number of suppliers within 10 Miles Total number of suppliers within 100 Miles
25 2 23
15 1 14
35 10
10 5 5
2 2
3 3

Turfgrass Inputs

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following IPM activities:

Encouragin drought and disease tolerant grasses Grass selection at HCC is optimal based on the cool rainy environment with bentgrass greens and blue grass rough. The grass is the most disease resistant and also drought tolerant, and supported through our emphasis on cultural, rather than chemical practices.
Managing stress and wear The golf course is analyized daily to help identify and avoid wear areas and stress areas to keep from over watering or missuse of fertilizers.
Enhancement of soil structure Between dry-jecting and routine aerification soil structure is kept to a healthy condition, with very good drainage properties that allow for proper mineral and nutrient movement.
Optimization of the growing environment We have a well established policy and balance for tree management, but with high value placed on native, ecologically, landscape and historical tree specimens and copses.
Managing thatch levels Dry jecting, and use of the Graden in 2 direction in the fall reduce thatch by around 15 percent each year, along with routine core pulling during the year we remove 20 to 25 percent annually. Overall this maintains thatch levels at manageable levels.
Managing surface moisture Heavy topdressing and core pulling provides good water drainage throughout the golf course, and compared to other local courses our soil drainage is second to none, something we are very proud of.
Establishing thresholds for pests and disease Given that pest damage is not a constant or persistant issue, our IPM program is based on daily monitoring which informs our schedule of cultural practices and when any spraying should take place. We make judgements on curative and preventative treatments based on each disease, time of year, location on course and likely impact on playing quality.
Scouting for pests and diseases Scouting takes place during set up of the golf course, and also is monitored daily by the assistants and superintendent.
Activity Description

Fertilizer use at Highlands Country Club in the last three years:

2010 2009 2008
Organic Inorganic Organic Inorganic Organic Inorganic
Greens N 3 lb 2.5 lb 2.25 lb
P 1 lb 1 lb 1 lb
K 10 lb 8 lb 5 lb
Tees N 2 lb 2 lb 2 lb
P .5 lb .5 lb .25 lb
K 2 lb 2 lb 1 lb
Fairways N 2 lb 1 lb 1 lb
P .5 lb .25 lb .25 lb
K 2 lb 2 lb 2 lb
Semi-Rough N 1 lb
P
K .5 lb
Rough N 1.5 lb 1.5 lb 1.5 lb
P 1 lb 1 lb
K 1.5 lb 1.5 lb 1.5 lb

Pesticide use at Highlands Country Club in the last three years:

2010 2009 2008
Organic Inorganic Organic Inorganic Organic Inorganic
Greens Fungicide 375 lb 200 lb
Herbicide 20 lb 20 lb
Insecticide 20 lb 22 lb
Tees Fungicide 150 lb 200 lb
Herbicide 150 lb 205 lb
Insecticide 75 lb 125 lb
Fairways Fungicide 1200 lb 1500 lb
Herbicide 375 lb 432 lb
Insecticide 75 lb 81 lb
Semi-Rough Fungicide
Herbicide 350 lb 285 lb
Insecticide
Rough Fungicide
Herbicide 600 lb 750 lb
Insecticide

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following actions to optimize pesticide use:

Selection on the least toxic and lest persistant products Products used are choosen based on their toxicity levels to the applicator and also the environment.
Selection of appropriate products for specific pests and diseases Selection of products for pest and diseases is based on preventative measures to help result in a more healthy turfgrass plant.
Spot-treatment with handheld sprayers and wipers Weed spraying is done on a spot treatment basis. This helps provide less chemical use and also a more precise application.
Calibration and testing of sprayers Sprayers are calibrated upon each use to help give a better quality application and also reduce product by spraying at lower pressures.
Utilization of shrouded sprayser and anti-drip nozzles Nozzels and sprayers are inspected during and after each use, while also cleaned and soaked in a solution to provide optimal output each time.
Non-chemical weed control Compacted areas are very susceptable to weeds along with heavily moist areas, because of this these areas are regulated and avoided to help reduce chemical weed controls on the golf course.
Activity Description

Waste Management

No waste audits have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club.

Highlands Country Club manages key waste streams as follows:

  Re-use Recycle Landfill Incinerate

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following activities to continue the lifecycle of materials and resources:

Separation of recyclable materials Materials in the club house are recycled upon use and taken to the proper channels weekly. Also this practice is followed in the maintence shop on a weekly basis.
Returning clipping to fairways and walkways Each fairway mowing clippings are left by the non use of buckets, this helps with not only lowering N output but also keeping a longer residual on pesticides.
Education of staff and customer education Monthly meeting are held with all staff members in the maintence shop to help keep HCC a waste free and eco friendly golf club.
Activity Description

Environmental Quality

At Highlands Country Club sustaining the quality of local environment is of the very highest importance. Highlands is a town based on preservation of natural beauty, and the opportunity to be included in that excells the overal judgment of the club. In 2000 we became the first Audubon certified course in the highlands plateau, and still to this day stand as the only certified course. In 2010 Highlands Country Club also became known as a groundwater guardian green site, designated by the groundwater guardian association of America.

Water Analysis

Highlands Country Club monitors water quality with the following frequency:

  Chemical Biological Visual
Daily
Yearly Yearly Daily
Daily

Waste Water

Waste water from Highlands Country Club is managed as follows:

  Discharges to Formal Discharge Agreement
Detention Pond N/A
Mains Sewer N/A
Mains Sewer N/A
Stormwater Drain N/A

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous materials at Highlands Country Club are handled and disposed of as follows:

  Secure Storage Registered Uplift

Pollution Prevention

Highlands 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 Floors of the lower shop where equipment is stored are sealed concrete to help contain leaks and or overflows in order to have the ability to remove and properly dispose of them.
Maintenance of equipment on covered, sealed impervious areas Maintenance of equipment is done in the shop area of the building which is maintained by the two mechanics, it is sealed and recently buffed to help provide better ability to see and remove any material after working on a machine.
Mixing of pesticides and fertilizers in covered areas Recently added we have a covered mixing and loading area to decrese the amount of variables that could possibly influence the spraying.
Mixing of pesticides and fertilizers over impervious surfaces Also installed with the covered mixing area an impervious concrete surface was added along with a overflow pump into an area to properly dispose of rinsate.
Installation of above-ground fuel tanks All fuel tanks for diesel and gas are both stored in covered areas and above ground to reduce the chance for groundwater contamination to occur.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following activities to prevent pollution on its golf course:

Eliminating leachate and run-off through careful timing of turf inputs Spraying pressures are kept to a minimum, while flat fan nozzels are used to give a solid coat on the leaf blade rather than giving the opportunity for chemical to migrate off site.
Establishment of emergency spillage response plan Both mechanics on site are trained and fully ready in case of a spill emergency also with 4 employees having state pesticide licensing we are educated on a response plan and removal.
Controlling erosion and sediment discharge After daily mowing, mowers are washed in a filtration system that removes grass clippings and sediment from the water source, this then drains back into the storm drain completely filtered and clean.
Establishment of pesticide-free zones On site we have two large nature sensitive areas that are required to be left alone, where no chemicals are applied.
Activity Description

People & Communities

At HCC we pride ourselves on community involvment, espcially on the local level. Brian Stiehler, golf course superintendent, is President of the Chamber of Commerce while also involved in other groups that address local issues of water conservation, and environmental stewardship. We want to be advocates for the protection and enhancement of the environment within the region, so we promote our other awards (e.g. audubon and also green site for groundwater conservation). Both of these awards are among the only in the Highlands area, giving great local representation for the club.

Employment & Education

Typical staffing levels at Highlands Country Club are:

  Full Time Part Time Seasonal
3 5 8
7 2 8
3 12 15
1 6 5
4
1 3 2
1 7
11 5

The environmental working group at Highlands Country Club is comprised of:

  • Owner
  • General Manager
  • Course Manager
  • Committee Members
  • Technical Specialist
  • Local Community
  • Local Enviroment NGO

Employees at Highlands Country Club receive the following formal and informal environmental education:

Storage, application and disposal of pesticides All chemicals are stored properly in a OSHA approved containment facility. The mixing and loading process occurs over a 100% spill containment drain, while each applicator is licienced by the North Carolina pesticide organization.
Efficient water management Annually at HCC all irrigation equipment is callibrated and checked for proper water dispersal, while watering throughout season is kept to a minimum. Also, syringing is practiced heavily to provide water only to where it is needed.
Management of accidents and emergencies Highlands Country Club is equiped with a 24 hour security staff; while on the golf staff monthly meetings are held to discuss what to do during or in case of an emergency.
Management of habitats and vegetation On the golf course, staff know about the designated environmentally sensitve areas and their role in providing large habitats for animals. They are all actively involved in the maintenance of the bird and bat houses throughout the golf course.
Waste minimalisation, separation and recycling Waste management is discussed during meetings to provide clear instruction on what is to be and not to be recycled. Weekly we have a crew forman remove glass and metal and recycle at the local landfill, while cardboard and plastic is separated during disposal.
Health & Safety Safety hazzards are strongly discussed at Highlands Country Club during not only meetings but also out on the course during equipment operation. Saftey glasses and earplugs are a requirement by each employee.
Energy Saving Simple task such as turning off lights in rooms, or refraining from raising the thermastat are highly encouraged to staff members during meetings.
Understanding of landscape and cultural heritage Staff working at HCC discuss and understand how rich our heritage is in and around the community and the environment. Established in 1920 Highlands Country Club has been a focal part in the development of the Highlands community.
Activity Description

Community Relations

Highlands Country Club engages with local community groups in the following manner:

Neighbours Local golf courses are continuously in contact with one another to provide insight to new developing ideas and also opportunities to help with environmental improvment.
Local Government As superintendent Brian is involved with many local groups, like Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, and Jackson Macon Conservation program, providing efforts to involve the golf course in the community and government.
Local Enviromental Groups Jackson Macon Conservation Alliance and Highlands Biological Stations are both strong resources in biological and environmental education.
Media Multiple articles in local newspapers are written about the environmental stewardship of Highlands Country Club, which is the only local audubon certified course.
Local Businesses Purchases made in and for the golf course are limited to local business extensions if possible to help support local economy and provide new jobs in the community.
Schools & Colleges A kids camp is run annually to provide insight for how and why a golf course is maintained to the standards it is, also local scholarships are offered for students willing and hoping to continue education in the industry.
Activity Description

Land Use & Cultural Heritage

Highlands Country Club provides access and diversified land use for others through:

Maintenance of existing public paths There are no public paths located on or through the golf course.
Creation of new paths and nature trails Cart paths are open daily for members and their families to walk and enjoy the golf course.
Installation of effective and welcoming signage All signs posted at HCC are made stricly from wood post, and painted to have a blending color with the environment while still providing a safe instruction on direction while driving.
Providing opportunities for other recreation (e.g. fishing) At HCC we have 3 lakes that are annually stocked with trout from the local trout farm to give members and families a chance to enjoy an amazing art in the mountains.
Activity Description

No archaeological or heritage surveys have been undertaken at Highlands Country Club.

Highlands Country Club does not consult any organizations regarding the conservation of cultural heritage.

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following activities to conserve cultural heritage features:

Buildings (Listed Buildings / Ancient Monuments etc) Highlands Country Club:
73. Jones (Bobby) House (Linton H. Young, ca. 1932-3), 172 Bobby Jones Rd. at the end. (A)

Highlands Country Club:
97. Johnston–Ford–Cobb (Judson) House “Alta Dona” (ca. 1850), 680 Cobb Rd. (B)
98. Howell House “Chalet” (Linton H. Young, 1932), 1154 Cobb Rd. (B)
99. Howell (Rosalie) House (1930), 1215 Cobb Rd. (B)
100. Woodruff House (1940), 200 Howell Rd. (B)
101. Gould House (Joe Webb, 1928), 256 Happholdt Dr. (B)
102. Hudson House (ca. 1928), 179 Hudson Rd. at Moorewood Rd. (B)
103. Shepard House (ca. 1928), 221 Hudson Rd. (B)
104. McGonigal House (ca. 1935), 570 Hudson Rd. (B)
105. Kline House (Linton H. Young, ca. 1940), 854 Hudson Rd., across from Bobby Jones Rd. (B)
Activity Description

Communications

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following internal environmental communications:

Provision of newsletters, notice boards & poster displays The monthly club paper has an article wrote by the superintendent to promote the golf course but also mention cultural practices members can partake in - for example fix ball marks, and repair divots.
Course guides / brochures Recently the course has introduced a guide which helps distinquish areas that are reserved for nature and to help interpret the local environment.
Interpretation panels & course signage Signs are located throughout the course to encourage members to contact us in case of any question they may have or ideas for the golf course.
Activity Description

Highlands Country Club undertakes the following social and environmental advocacy activities:

Website, press releases & brochures Press releases are given each time new steps are made in environmental stewardship at HCC to help with the community involvment.
Supporting campaigns Audubon certification banners are displayed annualy during our local parade, as well as signs are posted on the maintenance shop to provide supporting information of the clubs stewardship.
Attending community meetings The Superintendant Brian Steihler is involved with and attends multiple local environmental meetings and seminars to help with future direction with the course.
Activity Description