Valley Oaks Golf Course Recognized for Environmental Excellence

Media Contact: Ray Davies, CGCS
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Visalia, CA—Valley Oaks Golf Course has achieved designation as a "Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary." Rick West, Superintendent, has led the effort to obtain sanctuary status on the course.

Valley Oaks, a CourseCo, Inc-managed facility, is the 40th course in California and the 558th in the world to receive this honor.

Valley Oaks is the eighth California course under CourseCo management to receive the Audubon distinction following Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, Crystal Springs Golf Course in Burlingame, Los Lagos Golf Course in San Jose, Riverside Golf Course in Fresno, Mather Golf Course in Mather, Eureka Golf Course in Eureka and the former Lawrence Links.

"Valley Oaks Golf Course 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 Shawn Williams, Staff Ecologist for the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Programs.

To reach certification, a course must demonstrate a high degree of environmental quality in a number of areas, according to Williams. Categories include environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.

"The national recognition received by Valley Oaks under CourseCo management has shown our effectiveness in meeting the demands of golfers for high quality playing conditions and the environment. I commend Rick West and his staff for documenting the progressive environmental practices they perform to receive this recognition from Audubon International," said Ray Davies, CourseCo's Director of Golf Course Maintenance and Construction.

The award is made by the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System (ACSS), the educational division of Audubon International.

Environmental awards are nothing new to CourseCo. In 2003 CourseCo received the state of California Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Award for sustainable practice, the only golf course organization to hold this honor. CourseCo courses have also received nine Environmental Leaders in Golf awards presented by Golf Digest Magazine and the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.

For more information about Valley Oaks Golf Course, 1800 S. Plaza Street, Visalia, CA, 93277 call the course at (559) 651-1441 or visit their website.

Deep Cliff is managed by CourseCo, Inc, a Petaluma, California-based management company that operates golf facilities throughout Northern California. For more information, contact CourseCo, Inc, P.O. Box 1019, Petaluma, CA 94953-1019.