Neshanic Valley GC Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Somerset County Park Commission Neshanic Valley Golf Course (NVGC) has retained its designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International (AI) program. NVGC was first designated in 2009 and is one of 904 courses in the world to currently be designated as such.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association, provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Golf courses from the United States, Africa, Australia, Canada, Central America, Europe, Mexico, and Southeast Asia have achieved certification in the program. Program participation is designed to help course personnel plan, organize, implement, and document a comprehensive environmental management program and receive recognition for their efforts.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Christine Kane, Executive Director of AI. These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management. Courses go through a recertification process every three years.

The recertification process was coordinated by Andrew Hojnowski, Manager of Golf Maintenance. Of the course’s recertification, Hojnowski wrote: “Environmental stewardship has always been a top priority at Neshanic Valley and we strive to ensure that we fulfill our responsibility. We continually prove that we can maintain the highest quality golfing experience while still protecting the environment around us.”

Neshanic Valley has also earned “River-Friendly” designation from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority; “Groundwater Guardian” by the Groundwater Foundation; “Environmental Stewardship” by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and has been named 36^th Best Municipal Golf Course in the country by Golfweek magazine.

Neshanic Valley is an all-inclusive golfing experience with a 27-hole Championship Course, a 9-hole Academy Course, the Learning Center, and the Callaway Golf Performance Center. The state-of-the-art Learning Center includes a double-ended driving range with grass and mat hitting areas, a 12,000 square foot putting green, a practice facility including bunkers and three chipping greens, and two practice holes.

The Callaway Golf Performance Center at Neshanic Valley offers a state-of-the-art computerized golf club fitting and swing analysis system, operated by Callaway-trained professionals. The Center also houses the HDGolf Simulatior with a selection of 26 championship courses.

Information on Somerset County Park Commission activities may be found on the Internet at www.somersetcountyparks.org