The Foundry Golf Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

The Foundry Golf Club Recognized for Environmental Excellence

POWHATTAN, VA – The Foundry Golf Club has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary" through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, an Audubon International program.  Scott Mauldin, Certified Golf Course Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on this course and is being recognized for Environmental Stewardship by Audubon International.  The Foundry Golf Club is the 33^rd course in Virginia and the 975^th in the world to receive the honor. 

"The Foundry Golf Club has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program.  They are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property," said Jim Sluiter, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

"To reach certification, a course must demonstrate that they are maintaining a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas," explained Sluiter.  These categories include: Environmental Planning, Wildlife & Habitat Management, Outreach and Education, Chemical Use Reduction and Safety, Water Conservation, and Water Quality Management.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program has enticed our staff and members to learn more about the benefits of helping the environment around us.  We have enjoyed the added benefits from the wildlife and the natural beauty of the native areas, while at the same time reducing the amount of dollars being spent with-in our maintenance operations.” said Scott Mauldin CGCS

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, and Southeast Asia have also achieved certification in the program. 

For more information on golf and the environment, visit http://www.golfandenvironment.org/.  In addition to golf courses, Audubon International also provides programs for businesses, schools, communities, and new developments.  For more information, contact Audubon International,

46 Rarick Rd., Selkirk, NY 12158, USA

, (518) 767-9051, e-mail them via the Internet at mailto:acss@auduboninternational.org, or visit their website at http://www.auduboninternational.org/.

Bridge Work

The entryy and exit points at the foundry have started to erode over the last few years.  We have decided to fix these areas by cutting the old asphalt out.  We installed re bar and gravel to the areas that were torn out.  We will be adding concrete that will be 6 inches thick.

Re bar and gravel.  Concrete will be added over top

Concrete is added

Field stone rocks are added for a better look

Bunker surrounds



The turf care staff is chopping down the higher bermudagrass around the bunkers.  This will allow for more sunlight and help to speed up the bermudagrass green up.  We are seeing the bermudagrass green up through out the golf course



Chopping down bermudagrass around bunkers

Fertilized greens with K-Mag

K mag Fertilizer. The greens soil test indicated that the greens soils needed potassium,sulfur and magnesium. K-mag fertilizer has all three.

Jay is applying the k-mag fertilizer to the putting surface.  Jay uses the small indicator flags to ensure proper spacing between the fertilizer passes.

Drainage at #14 along fairway

A drainage system has been installed along the right side of 14 fairway.  This will help produce better turf conditions along the tree line by allowing the turf to dry out and not stay saturated.       

Perforated pipe has been installed with pea gravel surrounding the pipe.  This will allow for rapid water penetration into the pipe.

Staff removing the dirt from the trench. We will use the dirt to fill in low areas around the golf course

This will be a gravel sump of 10 ft by 5ft with a depth of 4 ft.  Perforated pipe will be installed through the gravel sump. 

Propane Mower Use at the Foundry

                  A propane cylinder with 8 gallons of propane has been added to one of the mowers.  The research is showing that for every hour of service we will use 1 gallon of propane.  The key to this is cleaner burning fuel.  This is good for the environment along with being better for the operation of the machine.  One of the other key factors for doing this is the lower cost of the propane verses gasoline. The price of propane is about a $1.70 cheaper than a gallon of gas.  

Propane hose to converter at the motor

Mowing with propane

Turf Care Building light Improvements

Lou is relocating the light fixtures through out the turf care center.  Currently all the fixture
are located on the highest beam of the shop.  This is too high for a ladder to reach so we have to rent a scissor lift to change out bulbs or fixtures.  Since we had several fixtures and lights that were not working, Lou has decided to relocate the fixtures to a lower level.  This will make the maintenance easier and less expensive in the future.

Jay helping Lou with lighting